More resources, logistics and financial support must be put into the community governments in Bougainville to prepare them for the coming referendum.
Bougainville’s Regional Member, Joe Lera, says to prepare and to fulfil the three conditions of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, the government and all leaders concerned must unite and work with the people.
He appreciates the new structure of the community governments by the Autonomous Bougainville Government and says this is the way forward for Bougainville.
“For decades we have overseen the potential and contributions that our community leaders can make towards the building of our province and country as a whole,” said Lera.
He said this new structure of community government is the bottom up approach that he believes will have a positive impact towards Bougainville’s referendum process.
“We must support and work alongside our community governments because they are the government agency that knows the real issues affecting the people in the village level,” Lera stated.
He will also be consulting social groups such as youths, women, churches, veterans and donor partners to share views and find ways forward on how they can all work together to contribute and prepare Bougainville for referendum.
Lera said he will be working closely with the community government to help support them in implementing the Bougainville Peace Agreement and also improve basic government services for people in the rural areas.