Bougainville’s Referendum was the key issue discussed at this week’s Joint Supervisory Board meeting.
Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) President, Dr John Momis said that with less than five years left in the Referendum window (2015 – 2020) the ABG hopes to reach an agreement with the National Government on a number of things.
He said this includes:
- the key questions to be asked during the referendum vote ;
- the common roll to be used and who are eligible to vote;
- the body to conduct the referendum; and
- the date for the referendum.
“It is very clear that time is not on our side and we must move fast,” the President said.
“The ABG has already moved to implement a number of important initiatives that will strengthen the Government and public service machinery to enable it to effectively deliver services to our people and at the same time prepare them for the referendum,” said Momis.
He added that one other area discussed was the drawdown of powers, tax revenue collections and a replacement fund to the K500 million Special Intervention Fund (SIF) in which the final tranche of K100 million will be paid in 2016.
“Given the focus of our Government on economic development and fiscal self-reliance, we will propose to the National Government for an investment Development Fund of K500 million as a replacement to the SIF,” revealed Momis.