Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says he has always supported the Bougainville Peace Agreement, which is now complete.
Marape was responding to the ministerial statement presented by the Minister for Bougainville Affairs Manasseh Makiba in Parliament on Monday.
He said the issue of Bougainville was an important issue of interest for the National Parliament.
“When I became PM in 2019, I considered it my job to make sure all elements of the peace agreement that were outstanding must be resolved, giving our people in Bougainville the opportunity to have a say in their political future,” he said.
Marape said it was the Government’s responsibility to ensure that the milestone which was prescribed in the Bougainvillea Peace Agreement be carried out as expected.
“So that our people will know that there is an end game in all of this.”
Marape said the Government recognised the constitutional and legal obligations to ensure that the result of the referendum is put to Parliament for deliberation.
He said the foundation of the peace agreement was a negotiated agreement between the people of Bougainville and the Government right after the unfortunate crisis in 1988.
“As a result, we are here following this roadmap to find a solution to the Bougainville crisis which requires the collaborative efforts from all members of the Parliament,” he said.
Marape said Parliament had an obligation to ensure that the expectation of the peace agreement was delivered.
He added that the transfer of powers must be done in a coordinated manner to ensure institutions are functionalised for service delivery.
SOURCE: THE NATIONAL/PACNEWS
