aus der Momis Rede vor dem Solomon Parlament aus Solomon Star, Thursday, 16 September 2010 16:40 :
www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/...minded-of-their-roles
PRESIDENT of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Chief John Momis has reminded Members of Parliament of their roles as leaders.
Speaking as an invited guest at the MPs Induction Programme Tuesday in Parliament, President Momis said the privilege of serving one's people in such a high office is granted to only a few.
"It is a sacred calling and you must take your obligations and responsibilities very seriously," he said.
President Momis said this leadership is both individual and collective.
"At the individual level, you represent your constituencies in the towns and villages across this beautiful archipelago that comprises the Solomon Islands.
"You have been chosen by them to represent their interests in this place," he said.
"It is an extreme honour dating as far back in time and history when man - with his natural ability of choice and reason - agreed among themselves that the will of the majority should prevail in politics as opposed to the forces of tyranny of a few.
"This is the essence of democracy," he said.
President Momis said on the collective level, MPs have also been chosen not only to represent their particular constituents but also through their participation in the business of parliament.
Mr Momis was sworn in as President of Bougainville on 10 June 2010, after defeating his predecessor, former President James Tanis, and five other challengers by a landslide in the 2010 presidential election.
During his inauguration speech in Bougainville, he said: "I had to observe that in all societies, the sacred task of leadership is bestowed on few."
He said it is a sacred trust bestowed by the people and in return for this act of trust, much will be required.
"I said this further that a leader becomes the servant of the many.
"Leadership is a partnership between the people, and we the elected ones.
"It must be your first duty to honour this sacred trust to serve," he said.
Mr Momis, who served as a Catholic priest from 1970 until 1993 and co-writer of the Constitution of Papua New Guinea, previously held posts as the Governor of Bougainville from 1999 until 2005 and the former Papua New Guinean ambassador to the People's Republic of China.
By EDDIE OSIFELO