One of North Bougainville’s open candidate, Noel Sarei wants to see Bougainville’s pathway of referendum be realised.
Speaking to EMTV News in Buka, Mr Sarei says that Bougainvillle’s future must be accorded in line with the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
This is his second term contesting the National General Election for the North Bougainville Open Seat.
In 2012, he was eliminated to the fifth place.
The journey hasn’t ended because, he is contesting again along with 30 other candidates, under the banner of the People’s Labour Party, Box 37.
His campaign centres on Bougainville’s future political status, an issue that hasn’t been really talked about by the Bougainville leadership in the National Parliament.
“I also as a candidate must prepare the Autonomous Region of Bougainville for its referendum pathway,”
“I have to raise the bar, more awareness on referendum and why it is important for us to participate in this process. This is to enable us to prepare for this new journey,” he said.
“Strengthening the human resources capacity will be a priority for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Sarei believes this is the way forward. And human resource will be my priority because this will advance development in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.” Sarei said.
The issue of the effects of Climate change has not quite been given special consideration during this term of government. Although the Autonomous Region of Bougainville houses one of the world’s first climate change refugees in the world, less attention has been given by succesive governments of the National Government and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Many candidates contesting this year’s National General Election, have not really included climate change as part of the campaign strategies and platforms. But one or two may have bucked the trend.
This is an issue that local non-government organisation Tulele Peisa has been advocating on and its executive director, Ursula Rakova says that the government authorities must seriously consider this and address it at the highest political level.
“Climate change will be one of my priority because most of those affected by climate change are from the North Bougainville electorate.”
Mr Sarei says that good leadership is needed in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. He has called on all eligible voters to vote for good leadershiop who will decide the final rectification process of independence, come June 2019.
