A Central Bougainville leader and landowner, Theresa Jaintong, wants the capital of a future independent state of Bougainville to return to Kieta.
Bougainville is about to open negotiations with Papua New Guinea following the overwhelming vote in favour of independence in a referendum late last year.
Jaintong, who competed unsuccessfully in the recent elections, said her focus now is her role as the chairperson of both the Arawa and Kieta landowner associations.
Arawa-based social worker and reconciliation leader Theresa Jaintong. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Johnny Blades
Kieta, which is just 12 kilometres down the road from Arawa, was the provincial capital until the civil war, and home to a port and an airport.
Jaintong would like to see the capital back there.
"There is the space for administrative arrangement in Toniva [a suburb of Kieta] and then the political headquarter can be Kieta and then the political people that are leading can be accommodated in Kieta valley."
"And the president, or whatver nam we call, his house can go back to where the premier's house used to be, the premier hill."
Theresa Jaintong said ,meanwhile, Arawa is full of squatters and she has been telling people to return to their home villages.
Kieta Photo: Bougainvillenews.com