Buka-- A Bougainville Leaders Consultation Forum was convened last week to engage leaders from various sectors to share ideas on Bougainville’s preparations on post-referendum.
Vice President Patrick Nisira while officially opening the forum stressed the importance of leaders representing various sections of the community in Bougainville to contribute in sharing ideas and collaborate on a mission to secure independence for Bougainville.
“Your presence is endorsed by the Bougainville Executive Council to be advisors to the Bougainville Consultation Team to share ideas on Bougainville’s preparation on post referendum,” he said.
“We have a lot to prepare after our people voted 97.7 percent for independence and weight of expectations is upon us as leaders to deliver on that promising future.”
In preparation for the consultation, BEC had agreed to organize consultations in three major groups – the Bougainville Leaders Consultation Forum, Bougainville Consultation Team and the Joint Supervisory Body.
Bougainville Leaders Consultation Forum is a larger group made up of all members of the Bougainville House of Representative, members of the civil society, women, youths and other recognized leaders in Bougainville. The Bougainville Consultation Team is a smaller group that will consult on behalf of the people of Bougainville after meeting with the Bougainville Leaders Forum and the President will be the team leader for the JSB.
This leadership forum was a follow up meeting from the Bougainville Development Consultation Team meeting that was held in Petatz Island in Tonsu attended by members of Bougainville Parliament, Bougainville veterans, members of civil societies, women and youth representatives and other recognized leaders in Bougainville.
Resolutions from this meeting will form the basis of discussions at the JSB meeting in Arawa this week – from Feb 4 to 6. (ABG/Pacnews)
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