Sir Puka pledges to provide credible referendum

MINISTER for Bougainville Affairs Sir Puka Temu plans to provide the government and people of Bougainville the resources and facilities needed to ensure a credible referendum in October.
Sir Puka said he would secure funding support from the Government and development partners to hold a wider public awareness programme on Bougainville and on mainland Papua New Guinea.
In particular what needs to be established is a clear process after the referendum. There should also be a timeframe on when Parliament can ratify the outcome of the negotiated position post-referendum.
He said awareness and other public activities would be conducted to prepare the people for the final position to be taken by Parliament.
Sir Puka also plans to deliver infrastructure and improve service delivery. There will also be attention given to the ABG elections in 2020.
Sir Puka said Prime Minister James Marape had called on him to deliver a credible referendum so he would give it his best shot.
Marape thanked Sir Puka for accepting the ministry.