NEW Ireland Province Deputy Governor Hon Sammy Missen has called for the granting of Independence for New Ireland. He made the remark during the Provincial Assembly sitting on the 25th of September.
He expressed his disappointment at how successive National Governments have been treating the province in terms of unfair distribution of wealth to New Ireland, despite the province hosting two mining projects that benefit the entire country.
“New Ireland has been asking for Autonomy from the National Government but it has fallen on deaf ears. Countless submissions have already been sent to NEC, but nothing. Maybe it wants to give us Independence, because they don’t want to give us Autonomy, let’s go for Independence”, said Missen.
Missen said he sees no issue in this because one of our founding fathers of this nation is still with New Ireland.
“I think this is the right time to ask for Independence. If Bougainville went all the way to ask for Independence, why can’t we New Irelanders go for Independence.”
He said the time for talking and waiting is over, New Irelanders have to rise up and protect their own interests instead of being exploited by the National Government to fund its continued incompetency.
Sharing similar sentiments New Ireland Governor Rt. Hon Chief Sir Julius Chan said his deputy’s statement was a challenge to all New Irelanders and for all leaders in the province to lead their people with one mind, one voice and one destiny.
“That is a challenge. Are we going to stay as we are and subject ourselves to an inefficient government that keeps changing election dates. That gets all the money of Lihir and leaves us with nothing, while we continue to pay for the law-and-order problems of other provinces?
New Irelanders this is the time for you to think about your future. What we are going through is real.”
He said he was disappointed with how the National Government has failed to uphold the Lihir MOA, particularly outstanding development projects amounting K1.8 billion in today’s price.
“Unfortunately, till today, the National Government has not lived up to the Lihir MOA. I prepared the whole agreement for Lihir. It clearly states there must be a review every five years. Since 2007, there has not been a review. How can we allow for this to happen. Our resources will be depleted one day. So we must take ownership of our resources while we still have it,” said Sir J
He said provinces must run their own affairs and not be subjected to national government.
“New Ireland you can do it, we have done it, we built this country, we built the banking system, we introduced the Kina and Toea, we set up Air Niugini, Oil Palm, Ramu Sugar, Educational Institutions. We have done our part to serve Papua New Guinea. It’s time for Papua New Guinea to look after New Ireland and say, “Yes. You are ready for self-Government.”
Sir J said, “I will not be with you for long, but I have taken you this far. I have already stood at the edge of river Jordan, and I have seen the promise land. But you have to cross it.”
