Requirements met: B’ville

THE Autonomous Region of Bougainville (Arob) has met all the requirements set out in the Bougainville Peace Agreement of 2001, says President Ishmael Toroama.
Toroama told the people of Bougainville in Lae, Morobe, during the commemoration of Arob Day that Bougainville had stood firm and stayed in the framework of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, on which the people voted to decide their choice as the Constitution gave them the right.
“It is the power of democracy that you have decided, therefore, we must work together as one, meet our aspirations,” he said.
“My interest is your interest, so let’s work together.
“Let us not complain and become beggars for our soil.
“You have to be independent yourself and let me remind you that it is not the government that will direct you, but yourself.” The peace agreement provided for weapons disposal, autonomy and a referendum on Bougainville’s political status.
Toroama acknowledged his people for voting for independence, and assured them that it was the government’s job now to facilitate the people’s aspirations.
“The time for dreams is over,” he said.
“Today, we must become the implementer of our dream.
“Let us create a workaholic society in Bougainville, and not a society where you depend on the government for free-handouts.”
Toroama told the people that Bougainville’s Constitution was currently underway, and at the end of the year, the final draft would be completed.
“Bougainville’s Constitution would not be part or partial of Part 14 of the PNG Constitution, but it would be purely Bougainville’s constitution,” he said.
“We are going to declare Bougainville’s independence on that constitution.”
The people within and outside of Bougainville were given the opportunity to take part in the decision-making process on the establishment of the Bougainville constitution.
Meanwhile, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge has welcomed the people of Arob to the province.
Speaking during the Arob Day, Wenge said his welcome was to show that the province was in support of Bougainville to gain its independence.
He said the Government must ratify the referendum result in Parliament according to the law.
“I know what is in the law and I will stand by the law,” Wenge said.
“I am the custodian of the law, therefore, I will stand by both the PNG and the international laws.”
Wenge highlighted by virtue of the Bougainville Peace Agreement of 2001, and Part 14 of the Constitution (amendment), the people of Arob were to lay down their weapons, and were advised that their government was to make sure to meet the international standard of governance.
The people were given power by Part 14 of the Constitution to carry out a referendum to decide whether to get independence, or greater autonomy, and through the referendum, they had voted 97.7 per cent for independence.
Using his knowledge as a law practitioner, Wenge assured Toroama and the people of Bougainville that they had satisfied the condition set out in Part 14 of the Constitution.