Referendum on B’ville still stands: MomisBy WINTERFORD TOREASTHE...

Referendum on B’ville still stands: Momis

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE people of Bougainville will have their say on their future when they hold their referendum in three years time or later as stipulated under the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA).
ABG President Chief John Momis gave his people this assurance in Buka yesterday.
According to Section 191 Subsection (7) of the Bougainville Constitution, the referendum should take place not earlier than 10 years and not more than 15 years after the election of the first Bougainville Government.
Since the ABG was formed in 2005, by law the referendum should be held between 2015-2020.
Mr Momis, while commenting on the referendum issue during a recent press conference, assured that it would still be held between 2015-2020.
The president gave the assurance after many people expressed misgivings and questioned if indeed the referendum is going to take place, especially because the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) has not been reviewed.
He said according to BPA, the review would only be conducted on the autonomy arrangements, and not on the referendum issue.
Mr Momis confirmed that there would be a review of the BPA, adding that a panel of experts in BPA had already been chosen to look into this issue.
The president also clarified doubts that many had regarding the achievements of the three pillars stipulated in the Bougainville Constitution that needs to be addressed before referendum can take place.These pillars include weapons disposal, fiscal self-reliance and good governance.
Mr Momis, however, still maintained his stand that regardless of whether or not Bougainville had fully achieved these pillars, the referendum would still be held between 2015-2020.
“Referendum is inevitable. It must take place,” Mr Momis said.
He said issues like weapons disposal was also very important and should be thoroughly addressed to have a gun-free society.
“Whether we are fiscally self-reliant or whether we meet the standard of good governance or not, it doesn’t matter,’’ he said.
“Referendum will still take place. But if all this doesn’t take place, it’s no use becoming independent when you don’t have the money.
“That’s why it’s important for us to generate the Government’s revenue. That’s why many of us are thinking that the Panguna mine should be re-opened because it will generate revenue and fiscal self-reliance for the population of Bougainville. If not we will be struggling,” Mr Momis said.