There is no doubt that Bougainville will be an independent nation, said a straightforward ABG President, James Tanis, at a reconciliation ceremony at Anganai village outside Kieta on Friday.
Mr Tanis said he was confident the people of Bougainville will vote ‘yes’ and that the province will gain independence when a referendum is held.
But he appealed to all Bougainvilleans to make the province gun free before any vote is taken.
He said he does not want the people to be forced to vote but be free to vote in whichever way they choose.
Mr Tanis said that his visits to other provinces were designed to make other Papua New Guineans aware of this so there will be no question or doubt when Bougainvilleans decide their future.
Mr. Tanis also said that Bougainville needs to increase its economic base and improve its human resources before independence.
Meanwhile, the President has accepted
K250,000 in funding from the PNG national government to assist people who have
food security problems in the region.
He said these funds were a relief to the ABG, which has been trying its best to assist people during difficult times.
Mr Tanis said that the funds will be used as intended and not to pay outstanding claims as other funds have been used in the past.
Photo:
Bougainville Regional Member Fidelis Semoso receives the cheque from Deputy
Prime Minister Dr Puka Temu at Buka Airport. ABG President James Tanis is at
right. Dr Temu said in a press conference said that the PNG government is committed
to supporting the ABG [Nationalpic by Tavo Tovilu]
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