http://www.bougainville24.com/abg/...ast-and-moving-forward-in-unity/
Learn from the past; move forward in unity
By John Momis
Image courtesy of the Australian National University
This is an extract from a contribution by Dr John Momis, President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, to a newspaper supplement on developments in Bougainville
The most important aim of the establishment of the Autonomous Bougainville Government on 15 June 2005 was to allow Bougainvilleans to exercise a degree of self-government over their affairs and to provide leadership towards the referendum on the future of Bougainville.
I am confident that, by and large, we are meeting the requirements of the Bougainville Peace Agreement in relation to autonomy. The fact that we now have a functioning Autonomous Government is a considerable achievement.
We are continuing to build on these successes, and think it is fair that our efforts should be measured not just by where we are or where we ought to be, but also by where we have come from.
We started with few assets other than the spirit of our people and their vision for the future. And so eight years on, we modestly believe we have something to celebrate.
“Failing forward” is a spiritual concept that speaks to repentance for the past while moving forward to better times and to a renewed focus with new goals. This I believe is appropriate in the context and circumstances of Bougainville today. We have to learn from our mistakes, set them aside and move forward as a united polity.
We are all, in some way, able to feel ashamed at past actions. But we must not dwell on them. This is a time to move ahead. Increasingly, I am witnessing very positive signs that this is happening. I will cite a few positives, and allow you, my fellow Bougainvilleans, and others throughout Papua New Guinea and in the wider world, to be the judge of our actions…
I wish to say something briefly about High Impact Projects. It is generally known that the National Government has made a funding commitment of K500 million to the Autonomous Bougainville Government for these projects.
The Bougainville Government has responded to this and other project implementation programs by establishing a Project Implementation Unit to improve the implementation of projects and ensure timely roll-out through a project implementation cycle.
I have written to Prime Minister O’Neill to request the cooperation of the National Government for both governments to invite tenders for an experienced, internationally capable, PNG based Project Management Contractor to help us implement these projects.
We consider that in order to achieve the best results, out-sourcing the design, contract management and supervision of these works is the most sensible option.
We are concerned that smaller projects at District and community level are not being implemented as quickly as they should be, and we will revise and revamp the manner in which these small projects are implemented so that each Member will have direct control as to what projects are launched in their respective communities and how they are funded.
At the same time, we will be sitting with the four National Members of Parliament to determine how best to use their Member’s grants in a coordinated manner so that the best results are achieved in project implementation.
We do not consider that the spending of such grants by the individual Members of Parliament is discretionary.
Regarding the peace-building process, I am happy to be able to inform the people of Bougainville that we have very positive news. Bougainville, through the Government of Papua New Guinea, will be eligible to receive funding under the United Nations Peace Building Fund.
We are grateful to the National Government for this initiative, because it will be a useful source of funding to complement the resources which both governments are committing to peace-building activities. We expect to meet with the relevant parties to map out our strategies and plan the process under which such funds can be applied to Bougainville.
Turning to law and order, I am concerned that the situation throughout Bougainville leaves much to be desired. The Bougainville Police are doing their best in trying circumstances, but their resources, both human and material, are much stretched.
There is a proposal before my government to consider the training of private security personnel to the highest international standard that would produce strict behaviour, firmness and discipline.
Members of this security force will be deployed to patrol and protect private business establishments, and will work in support of the police, providing complementary security protection in a commercial context.
It is important for Bougainville to both be, and be seen to be, a law abiding society so as to instil confidence, locally and abroad, that the Region is safe society for its citizens, and for potential investors. I will be making further announcements regarding these proposals.
Finally, I am very pleased with the progress of our discussions aimed at the re-opening of the Panguna mine. ABG has held extensive discussions throughout Bougainville during the past 18 months. These discussions have involved all levels of our communities across the region.
Forums were conducted in North, South and Central Bougainville, with the general population, with landowner groups and their leadership, and with ex-combatants and the Meekamuis. The approach has been consultative, and the response consensual.
As a result, we believe we have a firm basis to move ahead to the next steps. In June the Bougainville Executive Council approved proposals for a Bougainville Mining Act. The Act will reflect in full the concerns that emerged from these consultations. It will provide the basis on which the ABG will negotiate the re-opening of the Panguna mine.
At the same time, at the institutional level, the Office of Panguna Negotiations and the Bougainville Department of Mining have continued to follow through on an agreed framework that must be established before actual negotiations take place.
I feel very confident about the future of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
We have made very considerable strides since 15 June 2005. We now have a credible government on the ground in Bougainville. We are conscious of the need for continual improvement, and are making every effort to attain this.
We are grateful for the support of the National Government during the journey that began in 2005. We will continue to work collaboratively, both in law and in the spirit of the law, to achieve the objectives to which both governments are committed.
We are grateful to our donor partners and the international community for their untiring efforts and goodwill towards the Bougainville people and their government. Our over-riding concern is to prepare our people for the Referendum and for them to make an informed choice on their future.
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