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PM Marape abandons Tour across Bougainville

Bad weather had hijacked PNG Prime Minister, James Marape's tour across the autonomous region of Bougainville.

Mr Marape and his Cabinet arrived in Buka on Wednesday and was supposed to end the tour in Buin in South Bougainville on Friday, after a night in Arawa, however, that arrangement did not eventuate.

Shortly after the arrival, the National Executive Council hosted a special sitting at Kubu, after which, Mr Marape addressed the Bougainville House of Representatives.

On Thursday, a unity march between leaders from both the national government and the ABG was scrapped under an unforgiving and lingering downpour.

The Joint Supervisory Body meeting between the two governments penciled for Friday in Buin was also pulled forward and again hosted in Buka.

Bad weather continued throughout the day, marring the planned trip by prime minister Marape and President Momis to Wakunai, Arawa, the Sirowai area and Paghui to launch various government projects.

Heavy rains and strong winds have been persistent from Central and down to especially South Bougainville leaving the trip a no-no.

There's been a landslide at Pakia area along the Port Mine Access Road, and two other similar reports in Buin.

These were among reasons the prime minister reverted from his initial tour schedule and left for Port Moresby with his cabinet Thursday afternoon after resolutions from the JSB meeting were agreed to and signed.

NBC News had visited and also heard reports from some of the areas that would have hosted the prime minister, and found many disappointed people over the hijacked trip.

Mr Marape says he will return to the Central and South Bougainville areas during the National Reconcilliation between the PNG Defence Force and the people of Bougainville.

A date for this event is yet to be set.

NBC News/PNG Today

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