File photo: ABG President Ishmael Toroama, right, and PNG Prime Minister James Marape at the last JSB Meeting in Port Moresby in July this year. Photo: Autonomous Bougainville Government
The Bougainville Constitutional Planning Commission is preparing to give Bougainvilleans living away from home a chance to have their say about the constitution.
The first draft of the constitution for an independent Bougainville has now been made public, marking a significant step in the region's path towards political independence.
Four teams are scheduled to travel to the Highlands, Momase, New Guinea Islands, and the Southern region in PNG.
After that the consultations will be conducted in Bougainville itself.
During these consultations, the Commission will collect views and issues from Bougainvilleans, which will then be considered to create the final draft of the autochthonous constitution for Bougainville.
RNZ Pacific's Don Wiseman spoke with the Bougainville Minister of Independence Implementation, Ezekiel Masatt, about the path to the constitution.
