Sunday 15 March 2015

The Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O'Neill CMG MP, has assured the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) that it has the National Government’s ongoing full support.

PM O’Neill said the government would continue to work closely with the ABG to address ongoing challenges and enhance future opportunities in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB).

He made these remarks during the meeting of the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) in Arawa, Bougainville, recently.

"This is a historic day as a meeting like this would not have been possible in Bougainville many years ago.

“This meeting today marks a new level of cooperation, particularly in addressing outstanding issues, resolving them and moving forward together,” PM O’Neill said.

"The National Government fully supports the ABG and our priority is to effectively deliver services to the people of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea as a whole.

"Our people deserve the best outcomes in our obligation to improving living standards for people on Bougainville.

PM O’Neill thanked the AROB President, John Momis, for his warm welcome and willingness to work together for the future.

"We all know there are many challenges ahead of us for Bougainville, for our nation and for our region, and these can be overcome when we work together.”

The Prime Minister said the National Government is working to draw down or transfer powers to Bougainville to increase service delivery at a local level.

"Outstanding matters such as the Peace Agreement, Special Intervention Fund, Provincial SIP, District SIP and Local Level SIP funding are being resolved.”

The comprehensive agenda of the meeting further included taxation issues and grants including the local level service improvement program.

The meeting was concluded by Prime Minister O’Neill and ABG President Momis signing a joint resolution.

(L-R) Autonomous Bougainville Government President, John Momis with Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O'Neill CMG MP at Aropa Airport in Bougainville.

(L-R) Autonomous Bougainville Government President, John Momis with Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O'Neill CMG MP being welcomed by a cultural group

(L-R) Autonomous Bougainville Government President, John Momis with Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O'Neill CMG MP at the meeting.

(L-R) Autonomous Bougainville Government President, John Momis with Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O'Neill CMG MP reaffirming commitment's made under the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) in Arawa.

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