“After twelve years of autonomous government we are still constrained in our ability to govern effectively because of the inaction of the National Government,
With the JSB now set for the 14 and 15 of December, the ABG and the National Government are still at loggerheads over the formula for Restoration Development Grant of which close to a K1 billion is owed to the ABG which is a basis of the BPA, the other outstanding funding is the Special Intervention Fund of K500 million with an outstanding of K201 million.
The National Government has consistently failed to meet its obligations under the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA),”
President Momis Press Release part 2 below
Ministers and Members of the House travelled back to Buka to attend a meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, November 22.
The main purpose for the meeting was for the President, Chief John Momis to brief the House of ABG’s position on matters to be discussed in the forthcoming Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting on December 14-15, as well as the referendum preparations.
The President also used this opportunity to listen to the people’s representatives on ABG’s position on matters before the JSB meeting.
The Speaker called on Members to attend the meeting of the House on Wednesday so they can also be briefed on a direction from the Ombudsman Commission on the duties and responsibilities of the leaders and receive an update from the United Nations Peace Building Fund Coordinator on the second trench of the Peace Building Fund.
The ABG has been consistently let down by the National Government on its continued deferral of the Joint Supervisory Body Meeting and its refusal to engage on important matters relating to the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
ABG President Chief Dr John Momis said that as a legitimate autonomous government afforded specific constitutional powers this was unacceptable.
“The National Government has consistently failed to meet its obligations under the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA),” President Momis said.
“The JSB was established as the primary mechanism under the Bougainville Peace Agreement through which ABG and the National Government must consult and resolve disputes,” he added.
Momis further expressed his disappointment in saying that the National Government has failed to respect the role of the JSB instead using it as a rubber stamp to push through its own views at the expense of the Bougainville people.
“After twelve years of autonomous government we are still constrained in our ability to govern effectively because of the inaction of the National Government,” Momis said.
Over the course of these last twelve years the JSB has not yielded anything of substance except for the negotiations for several drawdown of powers and functions and the implementation of several high impact projects.
With the JSB now set for the 14 and 15 of December, the ABG and the National Government are still at loggerheads over the formula for Restoration Development Grant of which close to a K1 billion is owed to the ABG which is a basis of the BPA, the other outstanding funding is the Special Intervention Fund of K500 million with an outstanding of K201 million.
The ABG’s main focus for this JSB will be on the referendum preparedness by both sides; the ABG has already taken steps to meet the terms of the BPA which will qualify Bougainville on eve of the referendum.
The National Government’s slowness in addressing the terms of the JSB and the Peace Agreement has greatly hindered the ABG’s drive as everything regarding the referendum must be carried out in agreement with the National Government.
Despite these setbacks the President was pleased with the momentum displayed by the ABG’s Department of Peace Agreement Implementation in its referendum preparedness.
“Inspite of these seemingly dark times I call on the people of Bougainville to focus on the noble ambition of self-determination and to commit to achieving our ultimate goal,” Momis said.
You must be logged in to post a comment.