ANTHONY KAYBING
BOUGAINVILLE President John Momis has condemned a recent outbreak of violence in Buka Town in which local people attacked and ransacked a business house.
“As both Bougainvilleans and Christians we cherish our values of tolerance, unity and the peaceful resolution of disputes,” Dr Momis said. “This incident does not represent what we stand for and I condemn the perpetrators and their actions outright.”
Dr Momis also congratulated the Bougainville Police Service’s response to the incident noting this was a sign of how the rule of law has matured in Bougainville.
“There is no reason why anyone should ever take the law into their own hands,” he stressed.
The President also announced that the Autonomous Bougainville Government will consider the introduction of a rapid response team capable of responding to similar situations that may arise in Bougainville.
He will also look at boosting the numbers of police and community police and introduce a Bougainville Security Council.
“The situation last week has also prompted my government to review the reserve list of the types of businesses that are permitted to be operated exclusively by Bougainvilleans,” Dr Momis said.
Until this review has been conducted a temporary ban has been enforced on the registration of new businesses in Bougainville.
The President issued a stern warning to all Bougainvilleans that law and order will be enforced across the province.
He said that with the referendum on the province’s future drawing closer, Bougainvilleans must acknowledge that the past is behind them and their future lies in an orderly, peace loving and respecting society.
“We must welcome foreign investment as a means to secure our economic prosperity, we must be seen to be a community that demonstrates our values in every aspect of our lives,” he said.
“Anyone who promotes to their community to do otherwise are not true leaders, real leaders do not follow their followers, real leaders inspire their followers to become the people they should be,” Dr Momis added.