Temu said the people of Bougainville had spoken through the polls and he hoped Tanis would continue the good work started by the late President Joseph Kabui.
He said Tanis, an ex-combatant, is very familiar with the intricacies of the Bougainville peace process.
This eventually led to the setting up of the autonomous arrangements for the island, said Temu, who holds the posts of mining and lands and physical planning in the government.
“For those of us who know Tanis well, he also championed a peaceful and speedier resolution of the Bougainville situation,” he said.
“He was heavily involved with other prominent Bougainville leaders in the various peace negotiations with the national government which culminated in the ABG agreement,” Temu added.
He said Tanis’ election as president also came at a crucial stage for the ABG.
“We are at the halfway mark of the implementation of the ABG agreement and it is incumbent on the Tanis administration and the national government to see how far we have progressed since the signing,” he said.
“The national government reaffirms its commitment to cooperate with the ABG as we embark on the second half of our joint implementation program. I look forward to meeting with President Tanis soon to progress issues of mutual interest to the ABG and the national government,” he added.
