PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill will travel to Bougainville for a two-day visit starting today to reaffirm the gov-ernment’s commitment to the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
Mr O’Neill,’s visit to Bougainville from January 27-28 is no coincidence as the PNC Party has a special attachment to Bougainville with PNC founding leader, the late Sir William Skate’s visit to Bougainville during the 10-year civil war brokered peace.
Mr O’Neill’s visit to Bougain-ville will reaffirm the PNC Party’s commitment is alive and well and will be a reassurance to the people of Bougainville that the PNC Party and government is committed to what it says.
Before his visit, the PM had held a reconciliation ceremony with Autonomous Bougainville Government leaders, including President John Momis, elders and chiefs at Parliament House where he reaffirmed the government’s commitment.
"I want to assure the president and our public and citizens that we are committed to making sure that the peace agreement works and that we want to work closely with ABG and Bougainville people,’’ said Mr O’Neill.
"You know that PNC Party has got special attachment to Bougainville. Our Prime Minister then and founder of our Party late William Skate was one of the first ones to visit Bougainville during the conflict and of course he initiated the peace process upon which the peace agreement was signed, so we place very significant and special attachment to issues on Bougainville."
"I want to share with you that our party and our government is fully committed to making sure that the spirit that our founder has built in ensuring that peace took place in Bougainville, that spirit is alive and well in the party and that commitment is alive and well and we will make sure that we will work together with you .
"We reassure the people of Bougainville and even during the visit that we are fully committed to what we say and do."
During the peace ceremony at Parliament House, the Bougainville leaders presented Mr O’Neill traditional shell money (mismis) that is currently in use in Bougainville to pay for land, bride price, compensation and also represents the chief’s status.
The red shell money which was presented to Mr O’Neill initiated him to become a hereditary chief of Bougainville. He was handed a basket and bows and arrows that will be broken publicly in Bougainville during his visit to officially make peace.
"Yes, we have made many mistakes in the past and we will continue to make mistakes in the future, but it must not deprive the rights of our people on Bougainville so they too can be entitled to better services and enjoy the growth the rest of PNG is enjoying,’’ the prime minister said.
"We are committed to clearing out all the issues that are holding us behind in making sure that the autonomy issue that we want to implement on Bougainville.
"I want to assure the president and our public and citizens that we are committed to making sure that the peace agreement works and that we want to work closely with ABG and Bougainville people.’’
BOC Price at posting:
54.0¢ Sentiment: ST Buy Disclosure: Held
A personalised tool to help users track selected stocks. Delivering real-time notifications on price updates, announcements, and performance stats on each to help make informed investment decisions.
(20min delay)