The re-elected President of Bougainville, John Momis, says the Papua New Guinea government owes the region more than $US143 million dollars in development grants.
President of the autonomous Bougainville government, John Momis. Photo: RNZI
Mr Momis, who was inaugurated on Monday after last month's election, says the money is due under the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
The New Dawn website reports Mr Momis as saying he wants to meet with the national government as soon as possible to settle this issue.
He says since 2011 Port Moresby has been giving Bougainville about $US36 million dollars a year but he says these are tied grants which the ABG has no power to spend according to its priorities.
He said once the development grants are paid the ABG would be in a better position to implement its plans to fast track development programmes on Bougainville.
Mr Momis says over the next five years the ABG will try to fast-track economic activities to raise its internal revenue base.
At the moment that base is just under $US11 million dollars.
