Ireland’s former prime minister, Bertie Ahern, is in the country to be briefed on the progress of the Bougainville referendum.
The referendum is scheduled for June 15 next year.
Ahern, who has been appointed chairman of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, met Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato at Gamato’s office in Port Moresby yesterday. Gamato is the acting chief referendum officer.
Ahern also met Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Minister assisting the PM on Bougainville Affairs William Samb and Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari.
He is also expected to meet Autonomous Bougainville Government President John Momis today in Port Moresby and the head of heads of missions of Australia, China, France, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States, European Union and United Nations tomorrow at the UN office.
Ahern will travel to Bougainville on Saturday to meet members of the ABG in Buka for two days. He will return to Port Moresby on Monday and leave for Singapore on Tuesday.
Source: The National PNG
