Lack of funding slows Bougainville Referendum preparation

Preparatory work for the Bougainville Referendum scheduled for June 15th this year is been hampered by lack of funding by the National Government says the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner and a member of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, GEORGE MANU.
MR. GEORGE MANU told a news conference today that because of the funding problem the Bougainville Referendum Commission cannot start work on the preparation work for the referendum.
He said that OBEC has done common roll update in parts of Central and North Bougainville and is yet to get into South Bougainville.
MR. MANU said OBEC has done some preparation work with the FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA contribution from the ABG to Bougainville Referendum Commission.
He said these funds have been depleted and they are just waiting for more funding from the ABG to complete the common roll update.
MR. MANU said funds promised by the National government totalling TWENTY MILLION KINA has not been received and even the first instalment of ONE POINT FIVE MILLION KINA paid to NCOBA has not been remitted to the Bougainville Referendum Commission.
The Bougainville Electoral Commissioner said that BRC requires these funds to come quickly so that work can start.
He said he was confident they can prepare Bougainville for the referendum once the funds are released to them.
MR. MANU said without the necessary resources, BRC cannot do much.

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