Minister for Bougainville Affairs Manaseh Makiba said, the issue that is facing the country and its parliament is the procedure in is which the Bougainville referendum result would be brought into the house to make a final decision for the political settlement for Bougainville.
This is in response to Central Bougainville member Simon Dumarinu on the status of the Bougainville Referendum with a result of 97.7% votes.
Minister Makiba said, in the last consultation that took place in POM last year, the Era Kone agreement was reached between the 2 governments and the referendum results should have been brought in last year for the rectification process to take place.
But due to no standing procedures of parliament as well as the enabling constitution of provision, particular section 342 of the constitution which does not provide the procedure or process by which the referendum result will be brought in for rectification.
He said, they will need to adopt an appropriate procedure in order for the referendum to be rectified.
“In the last GSP meeting, we have resolved to find a way for the parliament to establish an appropriate procedure for the rectification to take place.”
“But before that ratification is put in place, the referendum result cannot and will not be brought into this parliament.”
“And that is what we are working on.”
Minister Makiba said, he would provide a full ministerial statement in the next meeting on an update on the sessional order that will be brought into parliament for adoption for the rectification to actually take place.