“We are looking to develop our education and health facilities and develop other infrastructure on Bougainville but we must not overlook our responsibility and that is the implementation of the BPA through credible means,

“Undeniably, we have problems on Bougainville but we have also achieved a lot since the inception of the ABG; we now have the power to develop our own education policies, our health policies and others such as finance and mining,”

The people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have a dream to create a new socio-economic political and moral order as they stand on the threshold of the Referendum.

ABG President Grand Chief Dr John Momis said that dream is within the reach of the people of Bougainville but they first have the responsibility to implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

“I welcome the President’s return as it provides added momentum to our work to reform the public service

President Momis has made it clear that he considers reform of the public service to be a critical priority for ensuring that Bougainville delivers on the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the expectations of our people,”

Chief Secretary to the ABG Joseph Nobetau has welcomed ABG President Grand Chief Dr John Momis following a period of leave, announcing that he is energized and ready to continue on the path to reform in the ABG. See Press release 2 below

NOTE : ABG President Grand Chief Dr John Momis has thanked the people of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea who had him in their prayers during his time in the hospital in the Philippines.

The President’s doctors have given him a clean bill of health and he said he was ready to get back to working with the people as they prepare for the upcoming referendum. Picture is the President with journalists during his first press conference on last Friday after his return the previous day.

1.Press Release

President Momis said the problem the ABG faces was a lack of technical capacity to develop these powers and policies to.

But Momis is also very optimistic that Bougainville will thrive as the autonomous region moves into the future.

“Unity is the essence of our success and these problems are not impossible to overcome; our unity does not mean uniformity, it must be an all-inclusive engagement of all Bougainvilleans who must have a say on our political future come the referendum,” Momis said.

Momis added that Bougainville determining its future must also include a future for development.

Momis also cautioned that people must be realistic of their expectations of the outcome of the referendum.

“Everything depends on how hard we work to achieve a favourable outcome of the referendum; we cannot dream of the impossible while we remain complacent and not work hard for it,” he said.

“We must have faith and own the process of the referendum so that we can legitimately own the outcome that is credible and excepted by all Bougainvilleans and respected by the international community,” he said.

“I must remind you all that in today’s globalized community we must refrain from alienating ourselves international community such as the United Nations who will play an important role at the time of the referendum,” he said.

Momis further made a call to all Bougainvilleans not to deviate from the principles of the Bougainville Peace Agreement and to follow it as the guideline to achieving its ultimate political future.

2. Press release Nobetau welcomes Momis

Chief Secretary to the ABG Joseph Nobetau has welcomed ABG President Grand Chief Dr John Momis following a period of leave, announcing that he is energized and ready to continue on the path to reform in the ABG.

Mr Nobetau said that the President’s return is important as it provides continued stability and leadership for Bougainville.

In consulting with the President Nobetau said that he made it clear that he was disappointed with some aspects of recent progress and that he wants to see all members of the executive rise to the challenge of progressing reform to ensure that Bougainville continues on the path to autonomy ahead of the upcoming referendum.

“It is clear that the President maintains very strong views regarding the need for enhancing governance and discipline across the public service. As Chief Secretary, I stand ready to work with my colleagues to heal any division that may have occurred during his absence so that we can deliver on the President’s very clear expectations”, Mr Nobetau said.

President Momis has been a constant and unifying figure throughout Bougainville’s history and has played a critical leadership role in progressing the Bougainville Peace Agreement and leading Bougainville on the path to autonomy.

“As Chief Secretary I am committed to delivering on the Presidents vision for reform. Now, more than ever before, it is essential that we consolidate our status as an autonomous territory as we approach the proposed referendum date”, Mr Nobetau said.

Mr Nobetau indicated that over the coming weeks he would be providing further updates on this important work and encouraged the public service to unite to address the many challenges ahead.