Good governance key to future
By LAWRENCIA PIRPIR
A greater level of good governance above Papua New Guinea’s national and provincial governments is what would ensure the Autonomous Bougainville Government is ready for the referendum for greater autonomy.
Autonomous Bougainville Government Acting Chief Administrator Chris Siriosi said the ABG and the national Government were working closely in preparations for the referendum before the 10th anniversary of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
The future holds many issues to be preparing for and one important one is to set a confirmed date to hold the referendum vote between 2015-2020 where the two governments must agree through their representative co-chairs – ABG Chief Administrator and the Chief Secretary to the Government.
Speaking in Kokopo recently, Mr Siriosi said planning was underway to prepare for the people of Bougainville, those in the province, others living elsewhere in PNG and abroad to vote for whether they want to be independent or remain as part of Papua New Guinea. And the ongoing challenge is to create a greater standard of good governance that includes managing state owned institutions and how the government enables people to participate in government, he said.
“There are many ways to enable people to participate through an effective system of local level governments,” Mr Siriosi said.
“In Bougainville we have Council of Elders and other parts of Papua New Guinea we have another system of Local Level Government.”
Mr Siriosi said the people’s participation in good governance is key to removing and disposing of weapons in Bougainville.
“We must also look at basic freedoms like freedom of the press, freedom of expression,” he said.
“Whether there is adequate opportunity for the people of Bougainville individually and communally also.
“That they have freedom to express their opinions without fear of intimidation, similar requirements would be in place for the press.
“This would encourage the media to scrutinize the work of the government. And there is also room for civil society on Bougainville.
“All these issues that concern internationally accepted standards a relative to achieving greater autonomy through the people’s say. “To date, issues that need to be confirmed include who conducts the referendum whether it would be the ABG, the national Government, both in a joint effort or engage an independent body.”
Mr Siriosi said admitted it was not easy work given the short time frame left and assured that the ABG Administration is working around the clock in preparation for the referendum.
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