http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20071024/wehome.htmBougainville Update
Wednesday 24th October , 2007
Chiefs call for equal status
THE Council of Elders (COE) in Bougainville should be given the same treatment as members of the Bougainville House of Representatives.
This is because although they are working in their villages, they have been trying to ensure that there is peace and normalcy in their communities.
According to a COE member from the Halia constituency who wished not to be named, he had seen that the division of Local Level Government office in the region has been concentrating more on members of the House of Representatives than them.
This COE member, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues from Halia was voicing his frustration following the recent cancellation of a swearing in ceremony which was supposed to have been held last week.
This swearing in ceremony, which was for the magistrates and peace officers of the Halia COE, was postponed after LLG officials in the region did not prepare the necessary documents for the swearing in ceremony.
The COE member said it was unprofessional when the LLG officials did not do their part.
“This is very unprofessional. We were notified three weeks ago about the date for this swearing in ceremony. However, when we went there for the swearing in we were told that some of the things were not ready, resulting in the postponement.
“We are frustrated because even though we were well-prepared for this day they didn’t do their part. This shows that they do not care about us, thinking that we are not bringing any good developments to our communities,” he said.
“The COE’s and the Autonomous Bougainville Government members are equal because they are doing the same job and that is to bring total peace and normalcy in our region. However, the only difference between us is our level of government.
“That is why we should also be given the same recognition because we are doing the same job,” he added.