Foreign aid should be used to help Bougainville achieve sovereign rule, the autonomous region's president Ishmael Toroama says.
Ishmael Toroama, president of Bougainville Photo: Supplied/ FB -Autonomous Bougainville Government
Bougainville is in negotiations with Papua New Guinea over independence after overwhelming support for the move was recorded in a referendum nearly two years ago.
Toroama said the donor community had been important development partners for Bougainville over several decades, and would remain so until it was standing on its own feet economically.
But that development aid must now focus on developing the economic sectors in key areas identified by his government to create a fiscally self-reliant Bougainville.
The results of the non-binding referendum signalled the need to do things differently, he said.
"My government will insist on aid co-ordination from every development partner to be channelled through the Autonomous Bougainville Government under our Six Point Strategy and Independence Readiness initiative.
"As part of our independence preparations my government has placed particular emphasis on building Bougainville's economic capacity to generate internal revenue."
Toroama said there was a significant pool of well educated, experienced and competent Bougainvilleans living in other parts of PNG or elsewhere who should be called on to make a contribution in their homeland.
"These persons are well versed with the local context and Bougainville's development needs and priorities, many of whom are decorated with degrees from Western universities. So how is it that you do not recognize your own products?" he said.
PNG leader considers Bougainville independence issue the country's greatest challenge
The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape, said the possible independence of Bougainville is the greatest challenge the country faces.
He saids the sanctity of the union of PNG as one country is very important, and is a bigger issue for PNG than Covid-19, the economy or other challenges.
The National newspaper reported him saying parliament will soon need to address Bougainville's quest for independence.
Mr Marape is expected next week to brief MPs on the outcome of talks on Bougainvillean independence last month in Wabag.
He said independence has to be ratified by the PNG parliament.
Mr Marape said "if we are to progress the independence of Bougainville, then the matter has to be addressed in the national parliament."
