LIBERAL Party Leader Sir John Pundari told the people of Bougainville that he will support the region achieve its political journey if his candidate for the North Bougainville By-Election is voted in.
Liberal Party is fielding Roselyn Kenneth for the North Bougainville by-elections.
“Today is the last day of the eighth-week campaign period and polling will start on Monday 02nd October, 2023 for the 17 candidates running the race.
“Liberal Party is fielding Roselyn Kenneth for the North Bougainville by election. Party Leader Sir John Pundari and his party executives were in Buka to campaign for Ms Kenneth who is has 30 years of work on Bougainville having had a hand in the restoration, peace building rehabilitation, formation of ABG, and the political journey of Bougainville.
“She has worked with donor partners and the PNG Government through its restoration program as a pioneer staff at Office of Bougainville Affairs as Manager for Public Affairs (1998-1999) worked under Bougainville Affairs Ministers the Late Sam Akoitai and former Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. She facilitated reports to Parliament on the Bougainville Peace Process, managed an office in Arawa led by BRA and BRF representatives at height of war.
“In 2001 she helped establish UNDP office in Buka where most of her work was rehabilitation and peace programs and in 2001-2005 worked alongside UN Observer Mission, where she managed 2 projects; Cocoa Rehabilitation and Weapons Disposal.
“She facilitated the meeting on Nissan Island, which paved the way for Bougainville Peace Agreement, Weapons Disposal and Bougainville Constitution. These 3 milestones were reached achieved in 2004 before establishment of ABG 2007, established the first AusAID office in Buka. Worked for 5 years and supported restoration of services efforts, Peace building throughout Bougainville,” Sir Pundari said.
Ms Kenneth said: “I know other candidates are saying if voted into Parliament they will bring Independence to Bougainville. This is not correct, having worked in the peace process for more than a decade, I understand there is a long process.
“This seat is an Open Seat – North Bougainville is the headquarters of Bougainville right now.
“In these past 30 years, I have supported groups to bring about change to some of these issues. I am committed to extend and expand these initiatives in other parts of North Bougainville.
“So I must be the change and part of the solution.
“I can no longer stand by and watch the neglect of my people’s livelihoods and the lack of hope for a bright future for the children of Bougainville.
“I need the support of you my dear families, friends and voters who have and continue to believe in me and my visionary and transformational leadership capabilities to be the catalyst for change for Bougainville,
“Together we will build North Bougainville better, household by household in the next four years.
She said the Bougainville crisis has not left the people of Bougainville the quality of life and livelihoods they deserve.
“There are a lot of social and economic issues. These issues need our attention before our people can meaningfully contribute to nation building. During the referendum vote in 2019, 97.7 percent of people of Bougainville voted for independence. The Autonomous Bougainville Government has set a road map which outlines the priorities and time frame for self-government/independence. I am committed to supporting the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Government of PNG to implement the road map the Melanesian way through peaceful means.
“I moved back home to Buka in 1999 after being in school and working in Port Moresby for more than 15 years. While living in Buka and traveling throughout Bougainville; I have seen and witnessed and experienced these and many other issues and challenges of my people.
“My people, these are some of the reasons, I have decided to contest to bring sustainable solutions to address and improve these dire situations for North Bougainville. I bring with me Visionary, Honest, Bold and Transformational Leadership. This is needed now more than ever to transform North Bougainville and better the lives of the People of North Bougainville so everyone can be better prepared for independence,” she said.