Rau Constituency within the Central Bougainville is the first to publicly declare itself independence-ready as part of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville’s drive to ultimately achieve its independence.
All eleven ward members read out and declared themselves independence ready in front of hundreds of community members present to witness this significant milestone in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville’s quest for independence.
All respective wards declared a percentage grading above the minimum requirement of 50 percent qualifying them to declare that they are independence ready.
The various wards were scored against 6 benchmarks – Law and Order/Rule of Law, Social Services, Standard of Living, Economic Development and Human Resource Development.
The other 32 constituencies are expected to publicly declare themselves independence ready before the Bougainville House of Representatives sitting in June which constituency members will formally present their declarations.
The Chairlady of Rau Community Government Ziporah Hilia declared that the community government was 73 percent ready for independence in front of the community.
Notably present at the declarations were the ABG Attorney General and Minister for Independence Mission and Implementation Ezekial Masatt and Minister for Community Development Morris Opeti.
The Attorney General Masatt told the community there that their declaration of being independence ready was just the beginning and they must continue to strive and work hard to enable the region to gain its independence on 01st September 2027.
Last week Friday, in a special parliament sitting, the Bougainville House of Representatives had its constituency members presented their respective constituency readiness for independence.
Hence, Rau Constituency sets a milestone for the region’s independence movement by being the first to publicly declare itself ready for independence.