Bougainvilleans have been challenged to be ready for sweeping developmental changes by their new government.
The Autonomous Bougainville Government, the ABG, under new President Ishmael Toroama, is aiming to enhance its ability to deliver services to the people.
New Bougainille President, Ismael Toroama Photo: ABG
During the signing of an ABG Memorandum of Understanding with Tonolei landowners, he said the people must be receptive to these changes and allow the government and the law to operate within communities.
The MOU was to allow the resource owners of Tonolei Timber Development Project to work with the ABG to allow the Tonolei Development Corporation to begin its operations.
In a statement, Toroama also called on landowners in Buka Town to consider giving their unused lands to the government to start building infrastructure.
He issued a stern warning to people occupying government houses in Buka and Arawa to prepare to vacate these government assets.
The president had been stressing the importance of rebuilding Bougainville's socio-economic structures since his inauguration in September.
Meanhile Toroama is due in Papua New Guinea's capital for talks with Prime Minister James Marape today.
Marape had already met with Toroama soon after he won the presidency of the autonomous PNG region.
The recent election opened the way for extensive consultations over the outcome of Bougainville's non-binding independence referendum a year ago.
An overwhelming majority voted for independence, but PNG's national parliament would have to ratify this result for it to come into effect.
According to Marape's office, while in Port Moresby the visiting delegation will be enbgaged in talks with the national government and stakeholders.
