PNG-B’ville peace accord going strong, says Marape

PRIME Minister James Marape assured Parliament yesterday that the 2001 peace agreement between the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (Arob) and Papua New Guinea has been effective to the present.
Marape was responding to Popondetta MP Richard Masere concerning the recent event of PNG Defence Force’s arrival on the shores of Bougainville to assist with the disaster rehabilitation.
“The past is gone, we need to shepherd a new future going forward and there has to be collaboration between the people and the government agencies of PNG and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville,” he said.
“I also acknowledge that for the first time ever after the Bougainville Crisis, a PNG Navy boat is now entering Buka passage, this has never happened since 2001.”
On the 2001 peace agreement, Marape said that Parliament would ratify some of the laws that were changed during the signing of the agreement.
“I want to assure the people of Bougainville that in the last four years under my watch, we’ve given Arob more resources to get them up and running,” he said.
He said he would present a report next week in Parliament on how much the PNG Government had given to Bougainville to help in developing their infrastructure and economy.
“Before the navy boat left for Arob, the people of East New Britain loaded food, roofing iron and other supplies to help.”
Marape thanked the people and government of East New Britain for continuing to be an important interface between PNG and Arob.