A tentative date of June 15th 2019 has been set for a referendum on possible independence in the Autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
The outgoing Bougainville Affairs minister Joe Lera and his successor Father Simon Dumarinu say they will work around the clock with the Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville governments to prepare the region for its independence referendum.
The newspaper The National reported both men called for the national government and the ABG to work together, singling out the need to meet and agree on reviews to be conducted ahead of the 2019 referendum.
Mr Lera said the Bougainville Peace Agreement made clear that the criteria for determining when good governance was achieved included democracy and opportunities for participation by Bougainvilleans, transparency and accountability, and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
He said it was vital that funds due to Bougainville through the provincial and district services improvement programs were allocated.
Fr Dumarina said the governments and people of Bougainville and PNG as a whole faced both opportunities and challenges in building lasting peace.
He said he was determined to work with the prime minister and fellow ministers, the Bougainville president and members of the ABG to give full effect to the Bougainville Peace Agreement.