PNG government urged to right Bougainville wrongs

The National Government, through Prime Minister James Marape, has been called on to right the wrongs of the past through a "consultative, consensual mode of decision-making" for the Bougainville referendum and other related matters.

This was the call by one of the minds behind the Constitution, senior statesman and former Bougainville President Dr John Momis, adding that this is a legitimate and good way of reaching an agreement between two worrying parties.

He slammed the PNG Government and the Australian colonial administration at the time, saying PNG let Bougainville down and made a big mistake by removing section 10 from the draft constitution on provincial governments in 1990.

Adding, the Australian mining company, Conzinc Rio Tinto which was operating the Panguna Mine in Bougainville, together with the colonial administration is alleged to have collaborated to exploit the landowners where the mine was located:

Momis, who was a regional member at the time, says they worked out the highest autonomy pathway for Bougainville, to still be part of PNG but maintain self-government; however, ill-advised from bureaucrats jeopardized this.

While commending PM Marape and the government for granting autonomy to two new provinces, he added "all provinces should be granted autonomy, as and when they are ready."

Dr. Momis says there is a need to have highly decentralized provincial governments to empower the people, who will then do anything for unity.