Bougainville elders to help bring law and order

7:46 am on 9 March 2015

The autonomous government in Papua New Guinea's Bougainville is empowering Councils of Elders to curb law and order problems.

President John Momis says each Council will have the power to look after law and order in its area.

New Dawn FM reports Bougainville continues to be troubled by isolated incidents of lawlessness.

The ABG government says the elders' help will be valuable because the province's police service lacks capacity.

It says the involvement of the Councils of Elders will complement the police presence and help stop situations from escalating.

Mr Momis says to meet the conditions of the Bougainville Peace Agreement there must be law and order in the province.

The President of Bougainville, John Momis

The President of Bougainville, John Momis Photo: RNZI