Prime Minister clarifies stand on autonomy, independence
PRIME Minister James Marape says autonomy and independence “are two completely different things”.
He was responding yesterday to criticisms of his statement last week during the inauguration of Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama that provinces seeking independence could be charged with sedition.
“In the theory of self-determination, autonomy means you have free will and that you can stand behind your actions and their values,” Marape said in a statement yesterday.
“On the other hand, independence means you don’t need or accept help, resources or care from others.
“Bougainville had an autonomous government, from 2000 to November 2019 when a referendum for independence was held.”
Marape said Bougainville was a special case which was allowed to go ahead.
“We will now work with New Ireland, East New Britain and Enga to progress my version of autonomy,” he said.
“That includes financial empowerment and not just financial delegations.”
3 comments
Please do this on all Provinces. Provincial levels need greater empowerment to develop their provinces. It will be better, because now each persons in those provinces can compete in development. Whoever lacks shows that they are not fit.
This empowerment can impose a challenge so people will start to think and do things better and transparently.
Just do not entertain autonomy in what form you would want.
This government should not start the process of disintegration of PNG.
This is not taking PNG back and is not going to make PNG the richest black nation in the world.
I suggest Papua New Guinea should look at breaking up into Regions which is already there ) MOMASE, NGI, HIGHLANDS, PAPUA and giving them Autonomy, we can look at what these regions can do according to what they have in terms of Agriculture Fisheries and Mining and Petroleum. They can supply these Products to other Regions and whatever is in excess can be exported. We need each other and Independence is not encouraged here.
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