PNG Opposition leader Namah Congretulations Toroama

 The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Belden Norman Namath offers his hearty congratulations to Bougainville President elect, Mr Ishmael Toroama.

The Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) ex-combatant, peace maker and farmer was declared this morning after polling more than 48,000 votes. Mr Namath said today: "Congratulations are due too to the people of Bougainville who have behaved in an exemplary fashion in these elections as they have done during the referendum.

"lt is good to see an ex-combatant take the head of government at a critical time in Bougainville when the Autonomous Region is poised between continuing allegiance to PNG on the one hand, and breaking free to determine its own future development and progress as an independent state. "The people of Bougainville have spoken once on this matter quite conclusively by a 98 per cent overwhelming majority in favor of Independence. "By the choice of their leader now they have spoken with the same resounding voice again.

"lt is now time for Papua New Guinea to likewise attend to the matter of its continuing relationship with the Autonomous Region of Bougainville with the same urgency. "The people of AROB have spoken with a democratic voice. It behooves the PNG Parliament to adhere to those same principles as enshrined in its Constitution. "Mr Toroama ushers in a new era for Bougainville, however we decide. It brings to a close another era. At this juncture we also remember the contributions to Bougainville and PNG by men like Sir Paul Lap un, John Morris, Bishop Gregory Singkai, Joseph Kabul, Francis Ona, Sam Kauona and women such as Jacinta Jaitong, Francisca Semoso and many more.

"May our people prosper under the new breed of leaders under the guiding Hand of The Almighty God."

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