News 05.2013.1

28.05.2013

Source: The National

Talks on Panguna reopening going on 

FORMAL talks are ongoing between the Panguna landowners and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) on the planned reopening of the Rio Tinto-owned copper mine.

The ABG is believed to be holding a series of mining forums in Arawa that began yesterday to consult the island’s population before starting negotiations for the mine’s reopening. 

This would be the first time locals would be formally consulted about the mine’s future and hundreds of landowners are expected to attend.

The consultation comes after three years of lead-up talks and is part of a series of forums across the island. 

The government had held three previous mining forums.

Panguna and Affected Resource Owners Association deputy chairman Theresia Jaintong said that many people in the community would attend the meeting.

She said that the landowners have to say something, adding that it is way forward for the Panguna mine to be reopened.

“We will encourage them to speak positively about what they think, and with a lot of common sense, looking into the future for the younger generation.”

AGB Mining Minister Michael Oni told Radio Australia more consultations would take place over the next few months. 

Oni said the Panguna copper mine was opened under a colonial era agreement with little regard for local residents.

He added that the Bougainvilleans were still suffering from the impact of the mine and its closure during the civil war.

 “This time, as they consider re-opening the mine, locals are making sure they are involved in the decision process”.

28.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Moving to raise funds

By ROMULUS MASIU

A school in Central Bougainville is not waiting for its local Member of Parliament to dish out cash to build its infrastructure, but has taken on board the responsibility to fundraise for their school infrastructural development.

The Board of Management, parents and citizens of Pavaire Primary School in the outskirts of Arawa Town conducted a fundraising on Sunday to buy the school’s photocopy machine.

BOM chairman Jerry Tunsio and his vice Dickson Siparu spearheaded the fundraiser with a barbecue and sales of cooked food.

According to Mr Siparu, the school has not seen any funding from its local parliamentarian since the school opened its doors in 2010. However, this has not dampened their spirits to be self-reliant, but has been taken as a challenge to fight hard to develop their school.

Mr Siparu said since 2010, fundraisings were the order of the school’s source of revenue for the its infrastructure developments. One such testimony is the building of four classrooms and two teacher’s offices. “We built the four in one classroom on our own, from the fundraisings we did,” Mr Siparu said. He added that the local MP promised K100,000 to the school but to date there was nothing forth-coming.

Next year Pavaire will see the first intake of Grade eight students. The school has a total of 164 students for this academic year with four primary school teachers and three elementary school teachers as staff.  

A school in Central Bougainville is not waiting for its local Member of Parliament to dish out cash to build its infrastructure, but has taken on board the responsibility to fundraise for their school infrastructural development.

28.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PRIVATE CLINIC OPENS IN BUKA

By Aloysius Laukai

Buka town has been without a private Medical clinic since the last medical clinic owned by DR.JOSEPH VILOSI closed few years ago.

This morning a private medical clinic owned by DR.TOVILU opened its doors to the people of Bougainville on the Eagle Hardware building in Buka town.

The clinic will be known as the Bougainville Private Medical Practice and will operate from the Eagle Hardware building top floor and first room on the right.

Persons requiring private attention can call the clinic on Mobile numbers,  675 71083889 

Or  675 76542633  .

More details on the clinic will be given as soon as we talk to the Principal Doctor.

28.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

HAKENA ON LAND ISSUES

By Aloysius Laukai

The Director for the NGO group, LEITANA NEHAN WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, HELEN HAKENA today said that too many land issues were creating problems in the villages.

She told New Dawn FM today that all these land issues must be handled by the proper authorities to minimize the number of cases appearing in the Bougainville communities.

MRS. HAKENA said that the number of cases can be reduced if the Land cases are addressed.

MR. HAKENA also commented on the increasing number of domestic violence occurring in our communities.

She called on parents to look after their children to make sure that they are protected from violence.

28.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

HAKENA ON KILLINGS

By Aloysius Laukai

The Director of the LEITANA NEHAN DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, HELEN HAKENA says that she is concerned at the increase in violence, fighting and the killing of innocent people.

She said that all human being have the right to life and people must not take that life away unnecessarily.

MRS. HAKENA was commenting on the killing of a man after a PITANLAN dance at Bartania village on Buka island last weekend.

She said that these activities must be addressed and stopped immediately.

MRS. HAKENA said that killing is now common in Buka and mainland Bougainville and this was painting a bad picture on the future of Bougainville as a independent nation.

28.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BECH DEMER BAN EXTENDED

By Aloysius Laukai

Theban on the harvesting of Bech Demer has been extended for a further two years in Papua New Guinea.

This is because a recent survey showed that Bech Demer were nearly depleted before the 2009 ban of harvesting.

An officers from the National Fisheries Department, LUANA YAMAN told New Dawn FM in Buka that the recent survey to determine the number of Bech Demer found out the size currently available were mainly young and needed time to reproduce and grow to the size required.

She said that the ban will be lifted in 2015.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the CATERETS COE, BENARD TUNIM has blasted the decision to extend the ban of Bech Demer harvest.

He also told New Dawn FM that the survey was not carried on Caterets islands who have enough BECH DEMER for harvest.

28.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

NORO SERVED OTHERS

By Aloysius Laukai

The late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO served others despite his own problems according to FR.BONIFACE KEVON .

He made this remark during the requiem mass held for the late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO yesterday afternoon.

FR. BONIFACE said that he worked with the late JOSEPH NORO since 2002 on the Trauma counselling programme. And came to realize the calibre of the person as intelligent and very constructive and was full of humour.

He said that he was sad when he first heard of his passing at the Buka General Hospital last Saturday.

FR. BONIFACE said that the late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO had done what he had to do on earth and now is with the creator in heaven.

He said that life for every one of us is pre programmed already and there is nothing we can do to stop it.

What we can do now is to pray for him so that he can have eternal rest in heaven.

27.05.2013

Source:  ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

Consultations begin with landowners on re-opening the Bougainville mine

This morning on Papua New Guinea's island of Bougainville hundreds of landowners from around the Rio Tinto mine site are expected to get together for the first formal consultation on re-opening the mine since the civil war ended 12 years ago.

Rio Tinto's Panguna mine was the PNG government's major source of revenue when the country became independent in 1975 but landower disgruntlement with the way benefits were shared eventually unravelled into a decade-long civil war which brought Bougainville to its knees and left more than 10,000 people dead.

Presenter: Jemima Garrett

Speaker: Michael Oni, Minister for Natural Resources, Autonomous Government of Bougainville; Melchior Dare, Minister for Community Development, Women, Youth, Sports, Churches and NGOs, Autonomous Government of Bougainville; Theresia Jaintong, Deputy Chairperson of the Panguna and Affected Resource Owners Association

  LISTEN HERE !  

GARRETT: Bougainvilleans are still suffering from the impact of the Panguna copper mine and from its closure during the civil war.

Theresia Jaintong, Deputy Chairperson of the Panguna and Affected Resource Owners Association is hoping for a brighter future.

JAINTONG: My village was burnt down and we all had to fled to the bush, to the jungle until the peace was signed and then we come back but we are still displaced. Our village is burnt and we are still displaced and we are staying in town, in Arawa town. Part of our land we are just occupying in the meantime before this process taking place so we can be re-integrated back into the village some way or the other.

He was lucky. He finished his education before the civil war closed the schools but his people are still suffering.

ONI: People have no land to plant their crops. they don't have any land for trees for housing. They have no land to make gardens.

GARRETT: Community Development Minister Melchior Dare's village was so close to the huge mine that his people were affected by dust from blasting in the pit.

The company didn't even provide them with a road so they had to walk to the nearest transport and markets.

DARE: We have to walk 3-6 hours just on a bush track, which is just outside Panguna but because of the terrain. And when Panguna was operating what really affected us was cyanide, cyanide that was used for the industry. It affected our plants, our fruits, our birds but now because Panguna has been closed because of the conflict, now because the level of cyanide has gone down, the fruits have now come to fruiting and our environment is slowly rehabilitating.

The Bougainville copper mine was opened under a colonial era agreement that paid little regard to Bougainvilleans.

This time as Bougainvilleans consider re-opening the mine things are very different.

Mining Minister Michael Oni has high expectations.

GARRETT: Discussion and consensus-building are central to Bougainvilleans' traditional way of doing things.

This week's Mining Forum in Arawa comes after 3 years of lead-up talks and is part of a series of Forums across the island.

It is the first to formally consult landowners from the mine area.

Teresia Jaintong, from the landowners umbrella association, is looking forward to it.

JAINTONG: All the landowners and all the Council of Elders, the chiefs, the women, the churches, the disabled, the youths, everybody will be there.

GARRETT: You will be there. What will you be saying to the crowd?

JAINTONG: Well, I am always very positive about what I say. It is the way forward for the Panguna mine to be re-opened and also the people must speak. We will encourage them to speak positively about what they think, and with a lot of common sense, looking into the future for the younger generation.

GARRETT: The autonomous government of Bougainville has held 3 previous Mining Forums - two in northern Bougainville and one in the South.

Ministers, including Community Development Minister Melchior Dare, will be there.

DARE: In Arawa we are looking at even more, bigger crowd because this is where the centre of the consultation is. We are anticipating there will be even bigger crowd. These are very crucial areas because they are directly affected, formerly affected and even now affected, by Panguna mine.

GARRETT: Mr Oni, what are you hoping will come out of the Forum in Arawa?

ONI: I am very positive. I believe that the outcomes will be positive. That all the stakeholders will be contributing good ideas, positive ideas, towards the Forum and that would prepare Bougainville for the negotiations.

GARRETT: This first forum with Panguna landowers will be followed up with more in the months ahead.

It is not until those are finished and landowners are ready that negotiations will begin Rio Tinto's subsidiary, Bougainville Copper, which owns the mining lease.

27.05.2013

Source:  Post-Courier

Bougainville police upgrade skills

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

ONE of the aims of the Bougainville Police Service is to equip its members with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to effectively carry out their duties and responsibilities.

And to achieve this aim, the BPS has been sending its members to attend and study various courses that it deems will enable the officers to improve their policing duties.

Last Friday saw another lot of BPS officers graduating with National Certificate 2 in Training and Assessment (Instructor) which was facilitated and assessed by Mr Jack Kwa from the PNG Institute of Public Administration (PNGIPA).

The sixteen BPS members — which included twelve regular policemen and women and four community auxiliary police (CAPs) — received their certificates after completing their three weeks National Certificate 3 in Training and Assessment (Trainer/Assessor) study program which was held at the Wesleyan Methodist Bible College in the Haku constituency in Buka.

The ceremony was witnessed by acting BPS commander, Supt Paul Kamuai, PNGIPA deputy director Russell Purai, New Zealand police representatives, ABG member for Haku James Beani and the villagers living near the bible college.

Supt Kamuai, while delivering his speech, challenged the participants to make use of what they had learnt.

He added that the knowledge and skills gained by the participants will play a pivotal role in improving the standard of BPS in carrying out its policing duties and responsibilities. 

Supt Kamuai said he was confident that what they had learnt will contribute to BPS achieving its vision, which is to be a “professional, a community-oriented and trusted police service”.

He added that they will now be looked upon as supervisors in their respective regions where they are based. 

Other speakers including Mr Beani and Mr Purai also urged the participants to utilise the knowledge gained whilst performing their duties.

Participants’ representative, Senior Constable Lynette Bomai, later urged all the participants to work together and make use of what they had learnt in improving the BPS standard.

She added that their graduation was an important milestone as it was also a way forward for the BPS to develop its capacity building. 

Snr Const Bomai also acknowledged all those that had made it possible for them to successfully complete their three weeks course.

This PNGIPA facilitated course is being funded by the Law and Justice Sector Program.

Meanwhile, these sixteen BPS members, after having been assessed by PNGIPA will receive their National Certificate 3 in Training and Assessment (Trainer/Assessor).  

BPS members proudly showing their National Certificate 2 in Training and Assessment (Instructor) with acting BPS commander Paul Kamuai (seated third from left), PNGIPA deputy director Russell Purai and course facilitators Jack Kwa and Noella Griffin. 

27.05.2013

Source:  Post-Courier

Surveyors chased in Bougainville

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

A TEAM of surveyors from Hakau Investment Ltd who travelled to Torokina District in South Bougainville last week have been ordered to pack up and return to Buka as soon as possible.

These orders were issued by some disgruntled Torokina people who were not happy with how the Torokina Oil Palm project situation has been handled.

While confirming the incident to the Post-Courier yesterday, member for Torokina constituency in the Bougainville House of Representatives, Steven Suako said the disgruntled landowners were very angry when they learnt that a team of surveyors were about to conduct their surveys on other disputed areas that had previously been identified to accommodate this oil palm project.

“The landowners were very angry so they mobilised and ordered the surveyors to pack up and return to Buka. They even wanted to attack the surveyors but I stopped them from doing so,” Mr Suako said.

Mr Suako said the situation in the area is very tense at the moment. He said there is a possibility that a confrontation would soon take place between those opposing the survey and those that had invited the surveyors into the district. 

Mr Suako added that these surveyors were illegally invited by some Torokina chiefs because what they are doing was going against a decision that was reached during the ABG Parliament Sitting in March this year.

According to Mr Suako, a motion was passed calling for the halting of the project until the completion of an inquiry into how the project was tendered and awarded, and also on how funds specifically allocated for this project have been used. 

Mr Suako is now calling on the Autonomous Bougainville Government to step in and address the situation in Torokina. 

“I want the ABG government to step in and address the situation before it gets to worse. The government must stop this surveying exercise until all disputes are settled.

The member for Torokina constituency in the ABG also denied claims recently made that he gave a ‘shoot-to-kill’ order to the disgruntled landowners to gun down any member of the survey team. 

The Post-Courier was not able to get comments.

27.05.2013

Source:  Post-Courier

MRA helps Bougainville all girls school

The Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) last week donated sets of computers to the only “all-girls” high school in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Saint Mary’s Asitavi High School.

The items comprised four desk top computer sets, four UPS’s, a printer and four printing cartridges. The four computer sets were fully kitted with Microsoft office programs and anti–virus softwares.

The donation was made following a request for assistance by the member for Central Bougainville and Minister for Information and Communications Jimmy Miringtoro.

The school is located in the Wakunai District of Central Bougainville.

The MRA’s Executive Manager for Corporate Services Division Lien William when presenting the computers said the donation was part of the MRA’s corporate social responsibilities as a government organization.

She said North Solomons (now Autonomous Region of Bougainville) was the province on which PNG depended on for its revenue from the Panguna Mine after independence till the 80s when the civil war broke out, resulting in the closure of the mine and loss of vital services such as education.

She said it was only fitting that MRA, as the regulator for the mining industry, assisted the school with the donations. 

She said the MRA hoped that the computers would go a long way in resourcing and facilitating the education of the students.

The School’s principal, Elaine Baris expressed gratitude towards the MRA, adding that MRA’s assistance was to the whole of Bougainville as the students at the school came from all over Bougainville.

She reminded those who gathered of the popular saying that: “When you educate a woman, you educate a nation”.

The computers will be installed in the school’s library.

The school was established in 1956 and was forced to close down in 1989 during the height of the Bougainville crisis. It was reopened in 1992 and today it has over 300 students enrolled.

The presentation of the computers was witnessed by students, staff, MRA officials, a representative of Mr Miringtoro, Chris Baria and Bougainville’s popular women leader Francisca Semoso.

27.05.2013

Source:  Post-Courier

SI govt funds PNG-SI border post

By ROMULUS MASIU_in Taro, Choiseul Province.

THE Solomon Islands government with the backing of donor agencies has started building houses for their border post at Taro, Choiseul Province.

The houses will be used by agencies that will monitor the PNG-Solomon Islands border.

The staff houses have been funded by AusAID in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government. The ten houses are near completion and are being built within the premises of the Taro Police Station.

Post-Courier visited Taro Island last week — a four hour boat ride across the PNG-SI borderline — and noticed the Solomon Island government has wasted no time in pumping much needed funds and establishing its border post at the far-flung Choiseul Province. 

The Choiseul Province is one of the nine provinces of the Solomon Islands. It lies between the island of Bougainville and Santa Isabel in the west of the Solomon Islands.

Taro, which is the main town for Choiseul Province has a population of more than 10,000 people, is known as Solomon Islands’ ‘last frontier.’ The province is the closest to Bougainville and shares the same border with PNG. 

The small township of Taro has been frequented by Bougainvilleans since before the crisis to do business and visit relatives for barter. The border to date has no agencies monitoring it and is open to both countries especially Bougainvilleans going over to Solomon Islands and vice versa. During the Bougainville Crisis, Bougainvilleans took refuge at Choiseul with the establishment of a care-centre at an area known as ‘Bougainville Point’.

Locals in Bougainville are now questioning the much-talked about Border Development Authority (BDA) plans for an earmarked border post to be built at Kangu in Buin, South Bougainville and Sirovai in the Kieta District of Central Bougainville. To date there is no sign of infrastructures or a BDA team on site at the two planned border post.

While the PNG-Bougainville Governments through BDA are lagging behind in developing the two border posts on Bougainville, the Solomon Islands government with the backing of donor agencies have kicked-off their campaign with the Taro border post which will be completed next month.

27.05.2013

Source:  Post-Courier - The drum

MILITARY ISSUED

BOUGAINVILLEANS celebrating the May 17 veterans’ anniversary in Arawa couldn’t take their eyes off soldiers from the Me’ekamui Defence Force with their polished new uniforms. But proper footwear appeared to be a problem. Some army generals were well attired but for the others it stopped at their feet with the popular KT sports shoes or even going barefoot replacing the standard military-issue boots. Despite the mismatch, the MDF looked fitter compared to some of their colleagues at the PNGDF.  

26.05.2013

Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

Bougainville mine re-opening consultations begin

Jemima Garrett for Pacific Beat

Hundreds of landowners from around the Rio Tinto mine site in Papua New Guinea's island of Bougainville are expected to meet Monday, for the first formal consultation on re-opening the mine since the civil war ended 12 years ago.

This week's mining forum in the town of Arawa comes after three years of lead-up talks and is part of a series of forums across the island.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has held three previous mining forums, but this is the first time landowners from the mine area have been formally consulted.

Deputy chairperson of the Panguna and Affected Resource Owners Association, Theresia Jaintong, says many in the community will be attending.

"All the landowners and all the Council of Elders, the chiefs, the women, the churches, the disabled, the youths, everybody will be there," she said.

"It is the way forward for the Panguna mine to be re-opened and also the people must speak.

"We will encourage them to speak positively about what they think, and with a lot of common sense, looking into the future for the younger generation."

Local impacts

The Panguna copper mine was opened under a colonial era agreement, with little regard for local residents.

Bougainvilleans are still suffering from the impact of the mine and its closure during the civil war.

This time as they consider re-opening the mine, locals are making sure they are involved in the decision process.

AGB mining minister, Michael Oni, told Radio Australia he has high expectations for the consultation meeting.

"I am expecting that proper consultation must occur," he said.

Mr Oni says he hopes the discussions will result in benefits for the Bouganvillean people, government and infrastructure.

"Also there should be some kind of...future generation fund to be allocated to support the people, especially children."

Ms Jaintong says many people are still misplaced from their villages after the war.

"Part of our land we are just occupying in the meantime before this process taking place so we can be re-integrated back into the village some way or the other," she said.

The Panguna mine was the PNG government's major source of revenue when the country became independent in 1975 but landowners were unhappy with the way benefits were shared.

This anger eventually developed into a decade-long civil war which brought Bougainville to its knees and left more than 10,000 people dead.

24.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

ABG on the way to export seaweed

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government will soon be exporting seaweed to China.

This follows the recent harvesting of seaweed farmed by the Carterets Islanders in North Bougainville.

The 150 tonnes of seaweed which was packed into 2 330 white flour bags was shipped to Buka on Tuesday where they will be repacked into 60kg bags before export to China. 

This seaweed farming project was first identified by the Momis-Nisira government in 2010 as an impact project for the Carterets Islanders to earn an income to sustain their livelihoods.

It has also been identified as one of ABG’s high impact projects, with the government already allocating K1 million for the project.

However, since the ABG is yet to get its seaweed export license, the government has engaged a Milne Bay seaweed exporting company, Niugini Fishery Ltd, to export on its behalf.

According to Mr Peter Ho from the Niugini Fishery Ltd, the world market price currently stands at US$980 per tonne, which is equivalent to about K2 245 per tonne.

And with this 150 tonnes of seaweed, Bougainville is expected to make about US$147,000, which is about K317, 152.

However, since PNG is not a member of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nation), Bougainville will have to pay the import duty tax to the Chinese government. 

Mr Ho said the Chinese government charges US$170 tax per tonne, which means ABG will be paying US$25,500 in taxes, which is about K55, 000.

Meanwhile, ABG Minister for Primary Industry Nicholas Daaku after, inspecting the dried seaweed yesterday commended the Carterets Islanders for farming the seaweed.

Mr Daaku then encouraged them to continue to look after the crop that they are still growing, saying money earned from the sales of seaweed will help sustain their lives.

He added that after trialing the project at Carterets, the ABG will then look at introducing it to other atoll islands including Nuguria, Mortlock and Tasman islands.

Later on the government will also look at farming the seaweed at other mainland atoll islands like Matsungan, Petats, Taiof, Pororan and Saposa.

Other government leaders and officers who also inspected the dried seaweed yesterday include the ABG Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry Wilfred Komba, chief executive officer for Bougainville Commerce Division Albert Kinani and Jacob Wane from the National Fisheries Authority in Port Moresby.  

Carterets Islanders unloading the bags of seaweed at the Katsin Brothers barge ramp in Buka on Wednesday.

24.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Solomon islanders pay respect

By ROMULUS MASIU

THE Bougainville Solomon Island community was honoured to represent their people and government at the weekend. They came together to sing the country’s national anthem and lay a wreath for Bougainville’s Remembrance Day Commemoration, in memory of those who died during the Bougainville Crisis. 

The group, which call themselves the Bougainville Solomon Islands Association (BOSIA), has a membership of more than fifty and is based in and around Arawa. They were invited by the event’s organising committee to attend the parade and gun salute. 

The Solomon Community is hoping that next year, a high powered delegation will come from the Solomon Islands for this prestigious occasion. It would also give them the opportunity to meet with leaders and discuss important bilateral arrangements which would impact on the people of both islands, as well as those living on border islands.

In a statement, BOSIA representatives said: “It is our hope that Bougainville people will maintain unity always. We hope to achieve more by delivering goods and services to rural areas. The community is really happy and proud to be working together and to be part and parcel of the people of Bougainville.”  

24.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

INCLUSIVE TO PAY

By Aloysius Laukai

Inclusive Development program a World Bank support program for the women of Bougainville will start distributing cheques to the 41 women’s group who were successful applicants of the program.

Officer in charge of the Program, DAVID HAPOTO yesterday told New Dawn that the applicants would receive their cheques next week.

He said that there was a total of 600 applications of which on 41 would be funded.

MR. HAPOTO said that they approved 44 applications but when they went to follow up and confirm if these groups were actually established they dropped off three. He said that the successful applicants have been trained in preparation for the presentation next week

He said that the programme was to have started three years ago.

On the question if another project will follow this one, MR. HAPOTO said that this would be decided after the current project has been completed.

24.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

CONDOLENCE COMING

By Aloysius Laukai

New Dawn FM has been receiving condolences to the family of the late JOSEPH NORO since the news of is passing was released.

Condolences have been coming on social media network, Facebook and the New Dawn FM website.

Many who knew his said that the Autonomous Region has again one of its dedicated sons who could have contributed to the economic recovery of the region.

A Siwai lawyer JOEL NAVA said this on the New Dawn FM site, that Late Joe Noro has left a big gap that no one can fill at this time. It takes years to develop the type of leadership that late Noro had.

And another Bougainvillean, MARY TUHAS sent Condolences to all the family and friends of the late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO

She said that the God provide you with strength and courage through this special time.

And May Mr. Noro Rest in Everlasting Peace.

24.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

NORO SERVED OTHERS

By Aloysius Laukai

The late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO served others despite his own problems according to FR.BONIFACE KEVON .

He made this remark during the requiem mass held for the late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO yesterday afternoon.

FR. BONIFACE said that he worked with the late JOSEPH NORO since 2002 on the Trauma counselling programme. And came to realize the calibre of the person as intelligent and very constructive and was full of humour.

He said that he was sad when he first heard of his passing at the Buka General Hospital last Saturday.

FR. BONIFACE said that the late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO had done what he had to do on earth and now is with the creator in heaven.

He said that life for every one of us is pre programmed already and there is nothing we can do to stop it.

What we can do now is to pray for him so that he can have eternal rest in heaven.

23.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Croc bites man

By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS

A man is lucky to be alive after he was bitten by a crocodile while diving out at sea in the early hours of Tuesday at Nova 2 village in Buka. 

The victim, Matthew Morgan Otto, aged 43 years old from Hanahan, was out diving for fish in the company of a friend, Stanley Koyaha, at 3:00am when he was caught from behind by a ferocious three-metre crocodile.

Otto said he felt something clamping onto his left leg and suddenly he realised that it was a crocodile. In an instant he turned around to face the crocodile and the reptile then clamped its jaws on his left shoulder.

To save his own life, Otto, grabbed the crocodile on the head and fought with it for about seven minutes under the water, using his diving spear to stab it. Then again, the crocodile bit his right hand.

The crocodile fled when Mr Koyaha, who was diving not far from where Otto was being attacked, heard the commotion and swam over to investigate.

Otto was rushed to the Buka General Hospital in a motorised dinghy at 3:30am

Otto is recovering now at the Buka General Hospital and says he is very lucky to be alive and to have not sustained any life threatening injuries.

23.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

MP buys sawmills for ex-combatants

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

FORMER combatants from the Konnou constituency in South Bougainville can now concentrate on milling timbers to construct their houses using their new sawmills.

This follows the presentation of six sawmills by the South Bougainville MP and Minister for Bougainville Affairs Steven Pirika Kamma (pictured) to the former combatants recently.

Mr Kamma bought these sawmills after seeing how they can be used as part of a rehabilitative program. Apart from milling their own timber, people can use them to mill timber for schools, churches, aid posts and other governmental and non-governmental projects in their areas.

Two of these sawmills were given to the Wilmo and Me’ekamui factions in Wisai while the other four were given to other villages in Konnou.

Speaking during the handover of the machines in Wisai, Mr Pirika’s project officer Thomas Koioro challenged the recipients to look after them.

Mr Koioro said that how well they looked after the machines, would play a pivotal role in developing their infrastructural needs and determine what assistance comes from him next.   

23.05.2013

Source: The National

High hopes for Bougainville education 

AUTONOMOUS Bougainville Government (ABG) hopes to achieve 50% access to secondary education in the next five years compared to the current rate of 33%.

Chief executive officer for education Bruno Babato revealed this yesterday when giving an update on the ABG secondary school expansion programme for 2013.

“To further improve access at the secondary level, better planning is essential in the districts. 

“And from 2014, all 12 lower and upper secondary schools will increase enrolments by one additional class each, so that over the next five years, the government achieves 50% access to secondary education,” he said.

Babato said that according to statistics, enrolments in lower and upper secondary schools increased by 39% between 2007 and 2011.

He said in 2011, the enrolment was 4,719 compared to 2,878 in 2007. 

“In addition, when two new high schools – Haku High School and Koromira Technical High School – are fully developed, further increases will also be made in line with the expansion plan.”

Babato added when Tinputz High School, Kunua High School and Aropa High School start operating in the next five years, ABG would its achieve its 50% access rate to secondary education.

“Other plans in the next five years include St. Mary’s High School to become the first all-girls secondary school.

“Also, Arawa Secondary School and Haku High School, which are day schools, will become boarding institutions. 

“Again and this will further increase access to secondary education,” Babato said.

23.05.2013

Source: PNG Attitude

Critics note: Bougainville government is right on track

by LEONARD FONG ROKA

I SOMETIMES WONDER, were I president of Bougainville, what sort of a person I would be; what amount of condemnation would I be subjected to from the Bougainville people; how would I cope with the kind of unpredictable political climate. Real shudder there!

Anyway, people so often jump to premature conclusions at a leader’s political behaviour. But I, as a Panguna man, should not deny I play pranks with Bougainville politics in the social media; bad child I am.

But that is Panguna culture. We are good at it. Whether our politicking is profitable or not, we play it for the whole of Bougainville to dance to.

But as a Panguna student with a burning desire to enter Bougainville politics sooner or later, I hate one general criticism decanted on my Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG). And that is, I hate to read or hear critics saying that ‘the ABG is weak’.

Let me tell you why. Since 1988 I grew up with the Bougainville crisis but knew nothing much. But when the conflict became prolonged, I realised the deeper problem embedded in the hearts and minds of Bougainvilleans.

The ABG is the product of the long suffering we, the lost people of the Solomon archipelago who saw the blood spilt of 10-20,000 innocent brothers and sisters.

We on Bougainville should remember that the ABG cannot function overnight. Despite its ups and downs, it is still a government with great responsibilities for the betterment of Bougainvilleans who, since colonial days, have been denied their rights as a unique people of the Solomon archipelago.

And it was armed conflict fuelled by subjugated hearts that finally allowed us to be seen as a people who deserve to be respected.

But it is now up to us Bougainvilleans to carry that struggle forward on a positive note. Our freedom from all forms of genocide, relegation and exploitation is still to be reached; the fight is still on.

If PNG could so easily set a total blockade on our island in 1990, which can be seen as an act of genocide under the auspices of international law, and now play pranks on us with a baseless claim of maintaining its state sovereignty, who will be our redeemer? The answer is you and I!

With that said, I want to point out some interesting points worth nibbling from the PNG Post-Courier in the month of March. The newspaper was featuring Bougainville and our President, Dr John Momis.

I have never chatted with John Momis in the same way I did all my life with the late President Joseph Kabui. Thus, in my ever-burning political mind, I continuously had doubts about him, but not now.

In an article on 1 March, Momis: referendum to be held, by Winterford Toreas, John Momis was quoted as saying: ‘If we do not remove the weapons, we are not self reliant and if we do not achieve good governance [the] referendum will [not] happen’.

This was a morale booster for me. And it is a challenge all Bougainvilleans should note; are we really committed to the liberation of our island that our leader is showing us?

I remember in 1998, the Bougainville Revolutionary Army/Bougainville Independent Government team from Kieta leaving for the pan-Bougainville meeting in Buin. They were in doubt about whether they would get the support of the resistance fighters and the people under protection in care centres for independence.

And, as the talks began, a mother from Bana District, who had lived in the care centre, stood and shouted with tears: ‘Our brothers and sisters from the bush (BRA/BIG) and our brothers and sisters from the care centres, as we meet and talk remember that we died for our island to be independent’. Applause went across the crowds and BRA/BIG felt relieved.

And here, our leader, John Momis, is telling us to relieve each other from the political and economic stagnation we have brought upon ourselves.

As a student and observer of my island’s path, I believe our leaders are creating a good foundation for us to build on. I feel that, if I could muster the spirit of the laws they are creating now, I could contribute better to the future politics of my nation of Bougainville.

I refer here, also, to what most people call the ‘Momis-Regan Mining Law’. To me it is the best law Bougainville has created for its future.

The Post-Courier summarised it as setting out to (1) complete the transfer of mining powers that began in 2006 and (2) make a law to meet Bougainvillean needs, including recognizing customary rights, required by Section 23 of Bougainville Constitution; responding to foreign companies illegally seeking control of our mineral resources; and introducing ABG control of mining and contributing to re-establishing the rule of law.

“Customary landowners will be recognised as owners of minerals,” the article said, “with ABG sharing in order to: act on behalf of all Bougainvilleans, because of the blood spilled during the conflict; ensure equitable development for all parts of Bougainville; and preserve resources for future generations.

“As owners of minerals, landowners will have important new rights, including to: veto exploration licenses; be deeply involved in decision making on all projects, and receive shares of revenues and opportunities from mining

“Only the ABG will grant mining exploration and development licenses, and determine distribution of mining revenues and benefits.”

With this law, Bougainvilleans will be blessed because they will have more power over their land and resources unlike in the past where the government of PNG and Rio Tinto kept us relegated and robbed our land and resources to built PNG and not Bougainville.

As Bougainvilleans, we should know that our island was the money that built PNG. Our mineral resource and the profits it made went 100% to Port Moresby.

Knowing in my heart that this law was best for us, I was shocked when former BRA general Sam Kauona attacked Dr Momis over the wordings in Section 23 of our Constitution where, with the landowners, ABG is to be a part-owner of mineral wealth.

This is justifiable because, if we talk only about my home, Panguna, my people on Buka are not landowners. And they would ask me, ‘Was it only the Panguna people who suffered and lost loved ones during the Bougainville crisis?’

So, with me an automatic landowner in Panguna, there is also my government that stands for the people of Bougainville who have had suffered with me. And on their behalf the ABG is a part-owner of this wealth. This as it should be.

A 4 March Post-Courier story carried the headline, Bougainville to strike it rich. And again John Momis got it right: “Mr Kauona should not think that an ABG led by me could ever ignore Bougainvillean concerns about mining. We will never be told what to do by an outsider. Equitable distribution of revenue from mineral resources was at the core of his government’s policies. As part owner, the ABG will act on behalf of all Bougainvilleans because of the bloodshed by all Bougainville groups during the conflict”.

What I want from Sam Kauona is for him to admit and sort out the unimaginable problems of the sale of Bougainville wealth under his Invincible Resources deal (now taking on the new face as Morumbi Inc), which tried to fool Bougainvilleans. But happily Bougainvilleans are not to be fooled by these dogs who fooled Sam Kauona and the late Joseph Kabui.

I have seen some good collective decision-making as Bougainvilleans come together to decide their future. I believe in them and the future of my island and its people.

A further Post-Courier article on 4 March, Meekamui: Bougainville not ready to re-open Panguna mine, said: “Their standing to reopen the mine after Bougainville gains independence is because there are still are still a lot of outstanding issues that needs to be addressed.

“One of this is the K10 billion compensation claim for environmental damages done during the mine’s operational days. These issues include the establishment of squatter settlements and law and order problems.

“On positive note, Meekamui said they want the belkol money to be paid not only to the landowners but to all Bougainvilleans because they all suffered during the crisis. Meekamui also calls on ABG to support the court case against mining giant Rio Tinto for compensation payments to be made for environmental damages.”

The Meekamui talks are a reality. It is a fact that the value of the Panguna mine is below the K10 billion mark but the suffering of Bougainvilleans since the colonial era to the Rio Tinto landing on Bougainville including the environmental destruction of Bougainville is more than the K10 billion. We have to support that.

This will be a long term process and PNG will not escape from paying us for all the shit they did to us and our island.

And when they talk about squatter settlements and law and order, we the people and our ABG need now to create a Vagrancy Act to keep wanderers from flooding into our island.

I talk because I have experienced the bad treatment PNG squatter settlers did to us as kids coming into Arawa every morning to school.

I agree to the belkol money they are calling for. But this money must be paid as development in the form of roads connecting unconnected areas and educational infrastructure.

We need to think Bougainville rather than thinking about personal interests that will not help our island’s future.

22.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Halia gets facelift

By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS

The Tohatsi Mass Centre in Halia, Bougainville, is to get a new lease of life after the government finally committed money for its redevelopment. The building was designed by architectural engineer Bruno Nott and construction work began in 1992. However work stopped as a result of funding difficulties. It has lain derelict ever since — incomplete and unsafe for community use.

However, the Member for Halia Patrick Nisira has now pledged some of his Constituency Support Grant to fund the redevelopment.

“I want the whole community to work together. I will assist after the community has raised half of the money,” said Mr Nisira.

The project forms part of his campaign to reform local services for his constituency. Mr Nisira, who is also Vice President of the ABG, is implementing a raft of projects to assist women, youths and churches. 

This include the continuance of the Halia Water Supply Project and the opening of two new markets at Tohatsi and Hakulu villages.

22.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Arawa Secondary holds dance exhibit

ARAWA Secondary school in Central Bougainville last week witnessed public performances by Grade nine and 10 ExpressiveArts students.

 The dance routines, in front of fellow students, teachers and invited guests were held in the school grounds in front of an appreciative audience.

 The performances were part of the school’s expressive arts course assessment and also designed to teach the participants self-confidence by allowing them to perform in front of a crowd.

 The students were assessed on various criteria including participation, leadership and creativity.

 On Thursday the Grade 10s performed and on Friday it was the turn of the Grade nines. Altogether over three hundred students took part.

 They performed dances relating to poems they had written. The poems and dances were based on specific themes chosen by the students themselves.

 Some were to do with violence against women and other social issues, whilst one group explored the theme of darkness.

 The dances were choreographed to popular and current songs.

 This is the first year expressive arts has been taught at the school since the program ceased six years ago after the teacher involved went to another school.

 The new teacher in charge of Expressive Arts at the school is Mr Tilford Gaemate who oversees the course’s musical component.

 Whilst some of the students were visibly nervous during the day, in general the performances were strong and it was evident a lot of work had gone into their preparation and participation. 

22.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Women challenged over capital punishment

By ROMULUS MASIU

A church elder in Bougainville has challenged women not to make a mockery of themselves by pressuring the government to pass the capital punishment Bill immediately.

Martin Pinitu said: “Mothers, you are very special people in God's eyes. God made you to rear children, to mould them with love, hug them, spend time with them. Have constant communication with your children even if they are in high school or tertiary institutions. By doing this you are training up God-fearing children, honest and law-abiding citizens and future leaders of our country.

“Mothers, the criminal that you are crying for the government to immediately crucify, whose son is it? Who gives you the right to take away other people's life?” Mr Pinitu questioned.

Recently vulnerable women’s groups, especially the very vocal group of mothers, have been crying over serious crimes such as rape and sorcery related killings. They have been calling on all sectors of the community, throughout the country, to rally behind them for the government to pass harsher punishment to rapists and killers of women. 

Haus Krais have been set up and endless protest marches have been conducted right across the country and overseas.

According to Mr Pinitu, if the government switches on the green light will it completely eradicate the problem or is it going to be just like pouring petrol on a fire that is already burning? 

“Where is the root cause of the problem? Who do we point fingers at? Was it the mothers' or the government's failure in performing their roles and responsibilities to address these issues at their tender ages and as a result we are now faced up with these problems? Mr Pinitu questioned.

“God had made Man above the other creatures to reason things. Where is this wisdom that God had blessed each individual with? Who had planted the nasty fruit in our vineyard that had the nasty taste?” 

Mr Pinitu believes that the country should go back and seriously identify where the root of the problem is and apply concerted effort in eradicating it. 

“Please mothers go back home and spend a good amount of time with the precious jewels God has blessed you with because the master and you will be held to account for your household at judgment hour and you will be answerable to His questions.” 

“Plant banana if you want to harvest banana. Christian parents rear Christian children and not wolves that will roam the streets and bite people. Please always spend time with God, then work. And never yell in the street as though your house is on fire when you harvest a bad fruit.”

Mr Pinitu said government and the voted leaders weed out corruption at high places with the vested power the people have entrusted upon them. He called upon his community to serve the leaders and not themselves because at the end of the day they will be held to account 

“Don't be a fool with the allurements and cares of this world.”

Mr Pinitu added that more funding must be spent on church-run schools, institutions and programmes because money and riches are God's .

“Make funding available so that youths will have access to the funds to start small and medium development projects to keep them occupied. Both genders must have an equal opportunity to acquire skills in various fields.”  

22.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville church elder challenges mothers

By ROMULUS MASIU

A church elder in Bougainville has challenged women not to make a mockery of themselves by pressuring the government to pass the capital punishment Bill immediately.

Martin Pinitu said: “Mothers, you are very special people in God’s eyes. God made you to rear children, to mould them with love, hug them, spend time with them. Have constant communication with your children even if they are in high school or tertiary institutions. By doing this you are training up God fearing children, honest and law abiding citizens and future leaders of our country. “Mothers, the criminal that you are crying for the government to immediately crucify, whose son is it? Who gives you the right to take away other people’s lives?” Mr Pinitu questioned.

Recently vulnerable women groups, especially the very vocal group of mothers, have been crying over serious crimes such as rape and sorcery related killings. They have been calling on all sectors of the community, throughout the country, to rally behind them for the government to pass harsher punishment to rapists and killers of women. 

Haus Krai’s have been set up and endless protest marches have been conducted right across the country and overseas.

According to Mr Pinitu, if the government switches on the green light, will it completely eradicate the problem or is it going to be just like pouring petrol on a fire that is already burning? “Where is the root cause of the problem? Who do we point fingers at? Was it the mothers’ or the government’s failure in performing their roles and responsibilities to address these issues at their tender age concerning our youths, and as a result we are now faced with these problems? Mr Pinitu questioned. “God had made man above the other creatures to reason things. Where is this wisdom that God had blessed each individual with? Who had planted the nasty fruit in our vineyard that had the nasty taste?” 

Mr Pinitu believes that the country should go back and seriously identify where the root of the problem is and apply concerted effort in eradicating it. “Please mothers go back home and spend a good amount of time with the precious jewels God has blessed you with, because the master and you will be held to account for your household at judgment hour and you will be answerable to His questions”. 

“Plant banana if you want to harvest banana. Christian parents rear Christian children and not wolves that’ll roam the streets and bite people. Please always spend time with God, then work. And never yell in the street as though your house is on fire when you harvest a bad fruit. Every answer is in the Bible”.

Mr Pinitu said government and the voted leaders weed out corruption at high places with the vested power the people of the electorate have entrusted upon them. He called upon his community to serve the leaders and not themselves because at the end of the day they’ll be held to account. “Don’t be a fool with the allurements and cares of this world. Invest wisely in Heaven by doing well to the poor: they are the apples of God’s eyes.”

Mr Pinitu added that more funding must be spent on Church run schools, institutions, programmes and colleges because money and riches are God’s. “Make funding available so that youths will have access to the funds to start small and medium development projects to keep them occupied. Spend more money on human resource training. Both genders must have an equal opportunity to acquire skills in various fields of learning”.

22.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

SEAWEED TURNS ECONOMICS OF THE ATOLLS

By Aloysius Laukai

The harvest of ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT TONNES of seaweed has changed the economics of the Atolls district.

And the return of the Buka Trader from the Atolls loaded with 128 BAGS of dried seaweed has now made the trip to the Atolls economical.

This was the message from the Minister for Department of Primary Industry, NICHOLAS DARKU.

He told New Dawn FM this morning that in the past sailing to the Atolls has been supplying free rice and tinfish with the boat returning empty.

And with the first harvest of the Seaweed this has totally changed the story.

MR. DARKU said that the seaweed was harvested after only six months and means that the environment around Caterets must be good for seaweed.

He said in other Pacific countries it takes up to two years to harvest more than ONE HUNDRED TONES of seaweed.

The Seaweed will be sold to a company in France.

22.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

EFFECTS FROM THE CRISIS

BY Aloysius Laukai

The son of the late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO, JEFFERY NORO said that effects from the Bougainville Crisis harassments have been continuously haunted their father after the Bougainville conflict.

He was also responding to the comments made by the speakers at the funeral service at Hahela church this afternoon.

JEFFERY NORO said that despite all these problems his father never gave up and continued to work to serve the people of Bougainville.

He said although he was a long time public servant he did not try to manipulate the system to help himself but continuously worked for the common good of the people of Bougainville.

He also commented that his only investment was to make sure that his children had good education to be able to contribute meaningfully to the development of Bougainville.

22.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PEA MEMBERS APPLAUD FORMER PRESIDENT

By Aloysius Laukai

The late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO has been described as a man of humility and does not give up easily.

The secretary of the Bougainville Public Employers Association, HERBET KIMAI described his former President of PEA at the funeral service of the late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO.

He said since 2002 they have been fighting for the Public servant’s hardship allowance which was finally paid last year.

MR. KIMAI said that his other wish to establish a separate PEA for Bougainville will be pursued by the current executives.

The MANAGERESS of the Buka Town Council, BRENDA TOHIANA who read the Eulogy for the late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO described him as a professional accountant who was a member of the PAPUA NEW GUINEA Accountants Association.

She described him as a professional who did his job well and with distinction.

22.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

DISING ON NORO

By Aloysius Laukai

The Bougainville Chief Administrator, LAWRENCE DISIN also describe the late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO as a man who despite the sufferings he endured during the Bougainville conflict did not leave Bougainville.

Speaking at the funeral service, MR. DISIN said that despite of the problems faced in Siwai he still forgave his attackers and chose to reconcile and work amongst them.

MR. DISIN said that of all the Executive Managers in South Bougainville he was the only confirmed EM for the position for Siwai.

He said that the vacuum left by the death of LATE NORO will take more than 20 years to replace.

22.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

MOMIS PAYS TRIBUTE TO NORO

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG President DR. JOHN MOMIS this afternoon paid tribute to the late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO for his contribution to Bougainville.

He was speaking at the funeral service of the LATE JOSEPH ALBERT NORO this afternoon.

President MOMIS said that the late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO was one of the young Bougainvillean University Graduates who supported the then North Solomons Provincial Government to become the premier Provincial Government in Papua New Guinea.

He said this happened because of their collaboration and commitment to listen to the wish of the people of Bougainville.

DR. MOMIS mentioned leaders like DR. ALEXIS SAREI, LEO HANNETT, HAMAO TATO,ANTHONY ANUGU, ALOYSIUS NOGA, SAMSON PURUPURU as leaders who these young vibrant Bougainvilleans who managed to work with these leaders to achieve good result for Bougainville.

The ABG President thanked the family of the late JOSEPH ALBERT NORO for allowing him to work with the people of Bougainville.

The body of the late JOSEPH NORO will overnight in Buka tonight and will leave for Siwai in the morning.

21.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LOIO CONCERNED

BY MARIA LAUKAI

A former DPI officer is very much concerned at the quality of dried cocoa beans, being exported out of Bougainville.

Mr. Loio was speaking on new dawn fm’s Bougainville today program yesterday.

He said, cocoa being exported out of Bougainville, with the label, Bougainville cocoa beans BY EXPORTERS from Bougainville.

Mr. Loio is concerned on the processes of the cocoa beans.

He said many people today leave the beans in bags for almost four days, and then ferment in the box for only two days before going on to the dryer.

This is wrong. This way, the end product is not quality.

The right way to do it is, the wet bean goes straight into box. Then turn daily for seven days. Then goes onto the dryer. The end product is quality cocoa.

Mr Loio called on the Cocoa Board to check the cocoa dryer owners, and educate them and the general public on proper procedures of achieving quality cocoa for export.

21.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

HAKENA ON SINGLE MOTHERS 

By Maria Laukai

The director of the Leitana Nehan women’s development agency, Mrs. Helen Hakena stressed that some widows are breaking up marriages.

She called on the women to stop all these type of attitude, and respect other women.

Mrs. Helen Hakena was speaking on new dawn fm last night

She said that the women of Bougainville can stand in solidarity to fight against violence against women.

Mrs. Hakena also blamed few women as causes, but the men folk, are the main cause of these problems.

She urged single mothers and widows to stay home, and look after their children, and teach the proper way to live and respect other people.

21.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

HAKENA CALLS ON MEN TO RESPECT WOMEN

By Aloysius Laukai

The Director for the NGO group LEITANA NEHAN WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, HELLEN HAKENA says Bougainville women are under threat in their own homes which is something new to Bougainville and must be stopped immediately.

She was talking on NEW DAWN FM’s current Affairs programme last night.

MRS. HAKENA said that she was very concerned as her organization was attending to many women concerning abuses and violated in their homes.

And she called on the men of Bougainville to respect women and stop the habit of marrying more than one wives.

She said that domestic violence was on the increase and this was not good for mothers and children to live under constant threats from people who are supposed to be protecting them.

MRS. HAKENA also said that there were alot of single mothers in the communities and something must be done to reduce this trend.

21.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT SET

By Aloysius Laukai

Funeral service for the late JOSEPH NORO is set for tomorrow Wednesday 22nd May, 2013 at the HAHELA CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The late JOSEPH NORO a long time career Public servant with the Bougainville administration died after a short illness at the Buka General Hospital last Friday.

He was 67 years old and his survived by his wife and four children.

According to the Funeral Program, Speeches will be held at the service and the body will overnight at the Buka hospital morgue.

His body will be transported to Siwai on Thursday morning.

He will overnight in Siwai and will be laid to rest on Friday.

The late JOSEPH NORO was a long time public servant who contributed immensely to the peace process on Bougainville.

He was the Executive Manager for the Siwai District at time of his death.,

21.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

CATERETS SEA WEEDS HARVESTED

By Aloysius Laukai

The Caterets sea weed project could change the livelihood for the people of the sinking island once and for all.

According to the Commerce Officer in-charge of the project, the first ONE HUNDRED TONNE would be exported to China this week.

He told New Dawn FM this afternoon that the ONE HUNDRED TONNE was collected after only seven months of planting the sea weeds.

The ship carrying the first ONE HUNDRED TONNES arrived from Carterets island this afternoon.

The Commerce officer said that a company established by the Commerce division paid for these sea weeds for ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA.

And they are expecting TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA as profit from this first shipment to China.

21.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BISHOP’S NEW PENTECOST

By Aloysius Laukai

The Bishop of Bougainville Catholic Diocese, BISHOP BENARD UNABALI (pictured) has announced changes in the Diocese of Bougainville.

BISHOP UNABALI in his new Pentecost message also announced the establishment of three Parishes in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

They are KULULA in the Wisai area of Buin, South Bougainville, KARATO in the mountains of Panguna and Eivo and BUKA Town Parish to cover both KOKOPAU and BUKA TOWN.

Under the new Autonomous Bougainville arrangement Bougainville leaders have been talking about new things for Bougainville.

In his inauguration speech in 2010, ABG President, DR.JOHN MOMIS stressed on NEW BOUGAINVILLE whilst Bishop Benard Unabali talked about NEW Pentecost whilst the management of NEW DAWN FM saw the need to stress a NEW DAWN for Bougainville in 2007 to commemorate the establishment of ABG as a new Government for Bougainville.

21.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG PRESIDENT APPOINTS NEW MINISTER

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG President DR. JOHN MOMIS today announced that MR. JOEL BANAM the ABG Member representing the people of Tonsu on West Coast Buka island as the new Minister for Public Services.

MR. BANAM was selected from the list submitted to the President by the North Bougainville Regional Committee of the House of Representatives.

ABG President DR.JOHN MOMIS said that MR. BANAM takes over this important Ministry which has been vacant since MR. LEO HANNETT (pictured) stepped down.

DR. MOMIS said that the Autonomous Bougainville Government has done a lot of work on the proposed Bougainville Public Services Act and the Public Management Act that would be tabled in the June session of the ABG Parliament.

He said that as these two bills are crucially important and urgent for the Autonomous Bougainville Government to set up an effective and efficient Administration, the Public Services Ministry under the leadership of honourable JOEL BANAM will assume a new ansd strategically important role.

President MOMIS said that he had confidence that the new Minister with his wealth of Experience will achieve good results.

21.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PENTECOST CHANGES

By Aloysius Laukai

The Catholic Bishop of Bougainville Diocese, BISHOP BENARD UNABALI has announced three new Parish at this year’s Pentecost Sunday.

After church yesterday, BISHOP BENARD UNABALI announced that the Diocese of Bougainville starting this year needs to go into areas that it has not fully covered by her presence in the last ONE HUNDRED YEARS of existence on Bougainville.

The new Parishes are KULULA in the Wisai area of South Bougainville.

Kulula has been a Sub Parish of Tabago parish with other Sub Parishes of Muguai and Bogisago as a mass centre.

The second Parish would be at KARATO in the mountain areas of Eivo and Ioro and Torokina.

He said that the establishment of KARATO was also to reach these people who have been neglected for a long time.

The third Parish would be the Buka TOWN parish for Kokopau and Buka town.

Previously Kokopau has been under Hantoa parish and Buka town has been under Hahela.

Bishop Benard said that the church needs to move closer to the people.

The BISHOP also announced changes in the appoint of Priests to Parishes.

21.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

MOMIS SUPPORTS LOCAL INITIATIVE

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG President DR. JOHN MOMIS says that he supports local initiatives that can create unity for the people of Bougainville.

He says that at this critical time Bougainville has no time to waste on issues that can divide the people.

The ABG President made these comments at the MAY 17th celebration in Arawa last Friday morning.

He said although this was his first time to attend the MAY 17th celebrations he was happy at the organizers who organized this activity with minimal cost.

DR. MOMIS said that the Autonomous Bougainville Government was ready to work with its people in making sure that their dream to attain Independence for Bougainville is reached.

The ABG President however called on the people to work with their government so that the road getting there would be achievable.

New Dawn FM understands that the MAY 17th celebrations started with the UDI that was made on May 17th,1990.

And this has been quietly observed over the years.

AND with the announcement by the ABG President DR. JOHN MOMIS to gazette it as a public holiday starting next year was welcomed with clapping of hands by those who were present last Friday.

21.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

KAUONA SUPPORT ABG

By Aloysius Laukai

The former BRA General, SAM KAUONA (pictured) last week thanked the ABG President DR. JOHN MOMIS for supporting former combatants celebrate MAY 17th to commemorate and honor former BRA and Resistance fighters and of course the PNGDF soldiers who also died during the Bougainville conflict.

He told the gathering that the stolen properties since time immemorial has been taken back by the Bougainville Government through its Constitution.

MR. KAUONA said that with the support of the ABG these stolen rights has been returned to the original landowners.

The celebration had three flags, one for the Solomon Islands on the left, Bougainville flag in the middle and the PNG flag on the right.

The former fighters gave gun salute after individual National anthems were sung by the students of the Arawa High School.

21.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

NORO ORBITS

By Aloysius Laukai

One of Bougainville’s longest public servant has died.

The late JOSEPH NORO died last Friday at the Buka General Hospital.

The Late JOSEPH NORO has been the Executive Manager for the Siwai District who was instrumental in the establishment of the new AMEU district Administration site for the Siwai district.

He was a long time President of the Bougainville Public Employees Association who has been fighting to get risk allowance for their involvement in the Peace building during the Bougainville crisis.

The Risk Allowance for Public servants were finally settled by the National Government last year.

In the North Solomons Provincial Government days, Late JOSEPH NORO was the chief Taxation officer.

His Haus Krai has been set at the Bougainville Administration Conference room since last Friday.

And his funeral arrangement is currently been organized by the Bougainville Administration.

21.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

AROB endorses electronic identification card system

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE Autonomous Region of Bougainville is the latest place in the country to endorse the electronic identification card system. Support for the project was expressed last week at a one day workshop, held at the Kuri Village Resort in Buka on Tuesday. 

Organised by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the workshop on the national e-ID card – proposed by the O’Neil-Dion government as a priority project - was attended by various organisations including churches, non-governmental organisations, council of elders, council of chiefs, media, government and the general public. It will establish a centralised population database system capable of producing daily, monthly or annual population counts for government policy, planning, monitoring and evaluating developments at all levels of administration.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Bougainville’s acting deputy administrator in-charge of operations, Paul Kebori said this project is destined to bring positive changes in the country. 

He explained that implementation of this project was important because “it will help the country to be able to have reliable data that it can use in its planning processes, that it can use to focus its development throughout the country, the provinces, the LLGs. “I must emphasise that the e-ID Card project is the way forward for PNG,” adding that this project will be “very beneficial to PNG”.

Mr Kebori also assured those present that there was no need to be afraid as it’s already been successful in other countries. Some participants had feared this system might somehow go against their Christian principles and beliefs. However, after reassurances and explanations of the positive outcome of the system, they were won over. 

21.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Peaceful Remembrance

By DAVID LORNIE in ARAWA

THE Remembrance Day celebrations in Arawa, Bougainville, on Friday May 17 confirmed the people are moving forward in the peace process. 

A trouble-free day was enjoyed in Arawa where the main events were held. 

Bougainville President Chief John Momis travelled from Buka for the occasion which started in the early hours with a dawn service to honour the fallen. 

The events continued at Three Rocks club where food was distributed to those in attendance. 

Former Bougainville Revolutionary Army strong men Ishmael Toroama and Sam Kaouna addressed the crowd, encouraging them to remember their history. 

A fired-up Kaouna told those in attendance that the Conflict, the Civil War in which many lives were lost, was borne of many years of repression.

The flash point for the War, he reminded his people, was the Panguna copper mine. 

Toroama’s inspirational speech rallied his fellow Bougainvilleans to the cause of self-determination. 

Lives have been lost, he said. Blood flowed and this must not come cheaply. As a key player in the armed defense of Bougainville, Toroama knows this better than most. 

The night was concluded with Toroama cutting cakes which he distributed to all, the symbolism obvious. 

There is a positive feeling amongst Bougainvilleans that their destiny lies in their own hands. 

There were no representatives from Bougainville Copper Limited at the celebrations. 

This is the company currently negotiating to re-open the Panguna copper mine. 

Meanwhile, hardliner rebel commander Moses Pipiro told this newspaper that Remembrance Day must be known as Independence Day as this is why his people fought their ten-year war. (see separate story). 

21.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Mekamui still intent on self government

By DAVID LORNIE in PANGUNA

PANGUNA Mekamui commander Moses Pipiro, in an exclusive interview with Post-Courier, has called for the May 17 Remembrance Day commemoration in Bougainville to be known as Independence Day.

Currently, Bougainville celebrates May 17 as Remembrance Day for lives lost during the ten-year Civil War. 

The reclusive Panguna commander, who is a hardliner on Bougainville Independence, said we must remember that blood was spilt for this cause during the ten-year Conflict. 

Commander Pipiro organised his own Independence Day celebrations in Panguna on May 17 and over 1000 people attended. 

Speaking from his mountainous stronghold, Commander Pipiro told this newspaper in Tok Pisin: “We of the BRA (Bougainville Revolutionary Army), when the revolution came up, we fought against the PNGDF (Papua New Guinea Defence Force) - we won a military victory against PNG and the PNG Government.”

He said this has earnt his people the right to Independence. May 17, Remembrance Day, must recognise this.

Commander Piporo said the issue of Independence is central to the peace process. And, whilst he is a strong supporter of the ongoing discussions, he has not forgotten what his people died for. 

The Commander expressed his solidarity with the other ex-Bougainville Revolutionary Army commanders on the ground and also said the ABG was heading in the right direction for a peaceful Independence process. 

Commander Pipiro, who does not venture out of the area he controls - guarded by a manned roadblock - said, “We have resources here but the outstanding royalties, we have to address this issue.”

Strong words. 

The Bougainville Civil War was triggered by dissatisfied landowners who, in the 1980’s, felt alienated on their own land. The Independence movement grew from this and a desperate PNG Government, fearing the loss of its main revenue source - the giant Panguna copper mine - declared war on its own people. It is reported that over 20,000 people died in this ten-year conflict - many of them women and children. 

The mine’s former operator Bougainville Copper Limited is currently making a determined push to re-open the mine, lobbying the Autonomous Bougainville Government and landowners alike. 

Their representatives have been in Buka, Bougainville’s regional capital, recently.

The road ahead for them is now not as simple as it was in the 1970s when they first came. 

20.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville Day set in May

By ROMULUS MASIU

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government has officially declared May 17 as Bougainville Day.

It will be Gazetted in the Government’s calendar to remember those who died during the Bougainville Crisis, the devastating civil war which took place from 1989 to 1999. 

The declaration of the official day will go through the final Bougainville Executive Council (BEC) decision in the next parliamenaryt sitting.

Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) President Chief Dr John Momis announced this at the Dawn Service of the 23rd Remembrance Day Commemoration at Arawa, Central Bougainville on Friday.

Dr Momis also urged ex-combatants from the war to honour the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the Bougainville Constitution. 

He said they must put aside their differences and work with the ABG for the future prosperity of the region.

The Dawn Service commenced in the early hours at the Our Lady of Mercy Cathedral in Arawa, Central Bougainville. A parade of former combatants in full military attire took place with a gunfire salute under the command of Greg Busu. There were speeches by former Bougainville Revolutionary Army General Sam Kauona and President Momis. 

Three wreaths were laid to remember the those from Bougainville, Papua New Guinea and neighbouring Solomon Islands - when the war spilled across the border. 

Nature also showed its sorrow, with light rain drizzling down over the event to commemorate those who died. 

During the 10 years of civil war, more than 20,000 lives were lost. 

The greatest casualties came from civilians who suffered and took the full brunt of warfare. Many lives are still unaccounted for today with many more not laid to rest in proper burial ceremonies. 

Many elders, mothers and children died of curable diseases and many pregnant mothers died at child birth during the blockade of Bougainville by the PNG Government in Waigani.

In Arawa, the observance continued on to 3 Rocks Club where a very moving and symbolic crisis breakfast for the veterans was organised.

Bananas were cooked on an open fire in their skins and eaten by veterans with coconuts, symbolising the crisis period where such rudimentary cooking was the order of the day. It was a time of war and basic subsistence. Then the veterans proceeded down to Toborai Primary School where they performed another moving parade, gun salute and laying of wreaths at the monument at the school premises. 

Former BRA commander representing South Bougainville Peter Naguo and former BRA Planner representing North Bougainville Ben Kamda gave their speeches during the gathering (see separate stories).

20.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

It’s time to move AROB forward

By ROMULUS MASIU

FORMER Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) front man Ishmael Toroama has asked his comrades and fellow combatants to put aside their differences and move Bougainville forward to the next level.

Mr Toroama was speaking at the 23rd Remembrance Day Commemoration Ceremony at the 3 Rocks Club in Arawa Town, Central Bougainville on Friday evening during the Veterans Remembrance Day Dinner.

He said there was no time for veterans to engage in petty politicking, gossiping or backstabbing against each other. 

He said time was running out to shape Bougainville’s future and save our future generations. 

Toroama also wants veterans to talk openly to their children and future generations about the war they fought and what it meant to them (veterans) and the future of Bougainville.

Mr Toroama who led the BRA from the frontline in many ferocious gun battles against the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and Resistance Fighters said May 17 is one of the pillars of unification.

“This day is a binding factor. It is the day that value is being added into Bougainville politics. This day has also contributed in the formation of the Bougainville Constitution and most importantly May 17 is our Rememberance Day,” Mr Toroama told hundreds of veterans who came from North, Central and South Bougainville to celebrate the day in Arawa.

Mr Toroama added that this day was a Rememberance Day and Celebration Day. 

He reminded his former comrades that this Day had been achieved by bloodshed. 

“It is the Day to give respect and honour and remember our fallen comrades. We will remember our fallen leaders. We will acknowledge the Peace Agreement and its transition,” he said. 

Mr Toroama proudly told the veterans that May 17 was a day of victory. He reminded his people that BRA had won many battles during the Conflict and that May 17 is a God-chosen day.

If you’re true Bougainvillean, then I must refresh your memory,” said the vteren commander. “The 23rd commemoration day is to embrace our political vision. To embrace our comrades killed in action, to embrace our wounded in action, to embrace our fallen leaders, to embrace the Peace Agreements and to embrace our young future generation.”

Mr Toroama thanked all the leaders who had contributed to shaping May 17 as an unforgettable day in Bougainville. He said that from next year this day would become bigger.

“The people of Bougainville have declared May 17 as the Bougainville National Day,” said Mr Toroama. 

Mr Toroama was badly injured during the Bougainville Crisis and is widely respected.

20.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Call for decent burials

By ROMULUS MASIU

EX-COMBATANTS must assist and support the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) to fast track proper burials for their fallen heroes who died during the Bougainville Crisis.

Apart from comrades killed in the line of duty, Southern Region BRA Commander Peter Naguo believes there is also big need for proper burial for civilians and those from the Papua New Guinea (PNGDF) and Solomon Islands who fell victims when the war spilled over the border to its closest neighbor, the Solomon Islands. 

According to Mr Naguo, who is a former PNGDF soldier, the government and its people still carries the curse up till today because those people who died during the Crisis are not yet given a proper burial. 

“They are crying for a proper burial. The government must look into this very important case of proper burial of our deads. In future the government must support and back the ex-combatants. Likewise, we the ex-combatants must support and back our government to continue to our desired destination,” Mr Naguo said.

Also at Toborai, former BRA Planner representing Northern Region command Ben Kamda thanked President Chief Fr John Momis for publicly stating his government’s interest and desire to gazette May 17 as the Bougainville Day in its government’s calendar.

Mr Kamda said the war from 1988 to 2006 signified an important history for the region to learn from the past and move forward for a better future Bougainville.

Mr Kamda said there was no time to talk or do things with guns but from better knowledge from school children. 

He believes that the future of Bougainville relies on the shoulders of students in schools getting that knowledge and not with guns.

Mr Kamda is appealing to all the veterans not to criticise or fight each other but to work together with all the stakeholders especially the ABG to realise their dreams for a better future.

20.05.2013

Source: Radio New Zealand International

Interim protection orders in Bougainville have limitations

The chairperson of the North Bougainville Human Rights Committee, says the increase in Interim Protection Orders being issued in Buka, is in part due to a greater awareness among women of their rights.

Helen Hakena, who also works for a women’s NGO in the autonomous Papua New Guinea province, says during last week’s Haus Krai or House of Mourning, many local women came to testify about domestic violence.

Mrs Hakena says IPOs work well in some situations to protect a victim from abuse while awaiting a main court order but says sometimes an interim order lapses before the case is brought to the main court.

And she says some perpetrators just ignore the order.

“There has been cases where an IPO has been issued and men have torn those papers in front of the woman or in front of the policeman or the person who served the IPO on them, they need to change their attitudes and behaviour.”

Helen Hakena says there is more reporting of cases and a greater awareness about what help is available.

18.05.2013

Source: EMTV

Bougainvilleans debate on E-ID 

The Electronic Identification awareness campaign was in Buka this week.

There was healthy debate by participants about the advantages and disadvantages of the system.

A collective consensus that the E-ID system is the way to go was made. The churches and ex-combatants were identified as vital communication links to take awareness to the rural population.   

The first thing the E-ID Publicity team did when in Buka was to make their presence known. Despite the late notice about the E-ID workshop there was a good turnout of participants. They represented the churches, ex-combatants, headquarters, education sector and the three regions.

They listened attentively as E-ID Project Director and deputy statistician Roko Kolowa explained the EID system.

Huawei’s Raymond Albert explained the technical aspects. Basically the E-ID solution comprises two elements. A photograph and a fingerprint scan.

That will be kept in a centralise data bank in the nation’s capital. The ambitious project aims to get the entire PNG population from 17 years and above registered.

The churches needed the assurance that the project was not associated with the mark of the beast or 666. Kolowa assured it wasn’t, the system has been used in countries like Malaysia for twenty years.

One participant was sceptical, asking about the negative side. Raymond gave the Malaysian experience when credit ratings are monitored, and Mr Kolowa stressed the benefits outweighed the negatives.   

After much debate, the general consensus by the Bougainvilleans was that it was a good system.

The last part of the workshop was a SWOT analysis where Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats were discussed. Infrastructure capacity and accessibility were some of the challenges.

http://www.emtv.com.pg/news-app/item/bougainvilleans-debate-on-e-id?category_id=20

18.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES MAY 17 AS PUBLIC HOLIDAY

By Aloysius Laukai

ABG President, DR. JOHN MOMIS today announced that MAY 17th WILL BE Gazetted as a public Holiday for Bougainville to commemorate fallen soldiers and Papua New Guineans who died during the Bougainville crisis.

DR. MOMIS made these remarks when addressing the people of Bougainville in Arawa town this morning to commemorate Bougainville

He said that he was happy to attend such a celebration by the people and would assure the people that their government will make sure that the day is remembered in future.

DR. MOMIS also announced that three monuments will be built one each for Central, South and North Bougainville to honour these fallen soldiers.

New Dawn FM understands many ex-combatants in the past have been talking about monuments as one way of honouring our people who fought for the future of Bougainville.

18.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

MAY 17 UDI DAY REMEMBERED AS REMEMBRANCE DAY

By Aloysius Laukai

Former Combatants from both sides of the Bougainville conflict met in Arawa this morning for a Dawn Service to commemorate fallen comrades during the Bougainville conflict.

MAY 17 which is remembered from 1990 in which the late FRANCIS ONA declared Unilateral Declaration for Independence.

MAY 17th has since then changed into a Remembrance Day in which Bougainville should remember BRA and Resistance Force soldiers and also soldiers from the PNG Defence force who also fell victims of the conflict.

Former BRA General SAM KAUONA said that they would like to make MAY 17th similar to the ANZAC day for Australia and New Zealand war veterans.

The day started with a Dawn Service at FOUR AM this morning at the OUR LADY OF MERCY Church in Arawa town.

Then the former fighters dressed in Army gear marched with the ABG President, DR. MOMIS and Veterans Affairs Minister, DAVID SISITO and Former Army General, SAM KAUONA and other senior Bougainvilleans.

At the ceremonial stage they had speeches by the ABG President, DR. JOHN MOMIS and the former BRA General SAM KAUONA.

After several parades the former fighters went to eat a special meal that used to be prepared for the fighters during the fight.

The day ended with several activities to celebrate the day.

18.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

MAY 17TH UNITES TWO LEADERS

By Aloysius Laukai

Today’s celebration to commemorate MAY 17th has made two leaders meet eye to eye in Arawa this morning.

The ABG President, DR. JOHN MOMIS and the former BRA General SAM KAUONA in the past weeks have been making statements opposing each others ideas concerning section 23 of the Bougainville Constitution which talks about land ownership on Bougainville.

But today’s celebrations made the two Bougainville leaders meet at the OUR LADY OF MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH in Arawa this morning.

They then marched with the Bougainville combatants from the church to the Independence Oval in which the two leaders addressed the crowd.

The two leaders also witnessed the sharing of specially prepared food for the fighters at the THREE ROCKS Club in Arawa town.

According to the ABG President, DR. JOHN MOMIS the MAY 17th can also unite the rest on Bougainville to focus on their main goal of attaining Independence for Bougainville by working together as one united people of Bougainville.

18.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

MAGISTRATE SAYS LAW ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TOO LENIANT

By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville’s Senior Magistrate, BRUCE TASIKUL says that despite the various Laws the legislators at the National Parliament are making he still thinks the law is too lenient to Domestic violence offenders.

MR. TASIKUL made these remarks at the Bougainville Haus Krai gathering yesterday at the BEL ISI PARK in Buka town.

He said that whilst the Government has been making laws to protect women and children from abuse by men, a lot of women in the rural areas do not know of this law that’s why they do not go to the courts for redress and protection.

MR. TASIKUL questioned why domestic violence is on an increase and is also involving grandmothers.

He said what is wrong with our society today.

He challenged the men of Bougainville to respect the women of Bougainville and try not to involve in domestic violence.

MAGISTRATE TASIKUL also challenged Law enforcing agencies to enforce the law according to the laws of this country.

18.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

HAKENA WANTS GOVERNMENT TO ACT

By Aloysius Laukai

Director of the NGO group LEITANA NEHAN women’s Development Agency, HELEN HAKENA (pictured) says that the Government should make more laws to protect the women and children of Papua New Guinea.

She made these remarks at the HAUS KRAI program in Buka yesterday.

MRS. HAKENA said that the Haus Krai programme was for the women of Papua New Guinea to present to the government that something must be done to stop the increase in violence against women in the country.

She also blamed the women themselves for instigating violence against other women.

She said in most cases it’s the women who tell the men to kill other women in cases like the Sorcery related violence that happened in Bougainville recently.

MRS HAKENA said that violence against women was also increasing on Bougainville and the people must do something to stop it.

18.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

SEWING ON DEMAND SAYS PRINCIPAL

By Aloysius Laukai

There is a huge demand by Bougainvilleans to learn how to sew clothes according to the Deputy Principal of the Sewing Training School based at HAHELA on Buka island.

The Principal only named by our reporter as EDDIE told New Dawn FM yesterday that the Fellowship Scheme co sponsored by the Regional member for Bougainville, JOE LERA called for only ONE HUNDRED spaces but a total of 180 people applied.

He said due to this demand the other 80 students will be accommodated next year.

The DEPUTY Principal said that Papua New Guinea is constantly bombarded by Used clothing from Australia and leaning how to sew can cut all these trades.

He said the people of Papua New Guinea need to learn how to sew so that they can sew new clothes instead of frequenting USED Cloth dealers.

New Dawn FM understands a small percentage who can sew are earning money by contracting with Schools to supply School Uniforms throughout Bougainville.

17.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Islanders face food shortage

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

BOUGAINVILLE’S world famous Carterets Islands, which is on the verge of sinking due to the effects of the global warming, is now faced with a severe shortage of food supplies.

The islanders are experiencing a hunger situation after most of their gardens were destroyed more than a month ago.

While revealing their current state to the Post-Courier recently, their Council of Elders chairman Bernard Tunim said the islanders are experiencing shortage of foods after they were hard-hit by strong winds about two months ago which caused the sea to swell and flow inland into their village gardens destroying their only source of foods.

Chief Tunim also confirmed that there was an outbreak of dysentery which claimed the lives of five islanders-three babies and two elderly men. The two elders became victims of the outbreak just recently.

Chief Tunim said upon realising that most of their foods have been damaged he contacted the Bougainville Administration through VHF radio notifying them on their situation.

He said the administration has already responded to their plea, however the only problem now is that they are waiting for the Bougainville government to charter a vessel to ship the rations over to the affected islanders.

Chief Tunim warned that the island school children may be forced to stay out of their classes due to shortage of foods if the government fails to immediately charter a vessel and ship the rations over to them.

However, an officer with the Division of Local Level Government in Buka confirmed that the Bougainville Administration has already chartered a vessel, MV Pelpel which is owned and operated by Agmark Limited and on board is K40,000 worth of food.

16.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

ABG rep: We need help

By LAWRENCIA PIRPIR

There is a need to educate all the parties that play a part in service delivery on the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARB) on their respective roles and responsibilities.

Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Chief Executive Officer Planning Leslie Tseraha said this after the completion of the Department of Personnel Management NGI Consultative Workshop in Kokopo recently. 

He said the ABG was initiating a lot of new initiatives and one example was rehabilitating trunk roads with the current focus on feeder roads that was reportedly slow. 

Mr Tseraha said this called for the need to educate both ABG officers and contractors to understand project management, procurement and implementation of delivering services. There is even a need to help to monitor if services were reaching the people. 

He said this would provide an enabling environment towards effectively managing issues and navigating through them with smart practical solutions to strengthen effective service delivery. 

He said education and health sector services were the most effective services delivered with room to improve mechanisms to improve these and all other sector services.

He also said there was a general misconception where people think the Autonomous Region of Bougainville was okay because of autonomy and there had been a lot of criticism about how the ABG was delivering services. 

He said they still needed help because autonomy was something new for the ABG and when it came to service delivery Bougainville took heed of what other provinces were doing because it was crosscutting. It needed a lot of help to strengthen its service delivery, he said.

16.05.2013

Source: The National

Bougainville women take to the streets 

ABOUT 600 women in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville took to the streets of Buka town to show that they were fed with violence against women.

The women for the past two days had converged on Buka town to show their support for the national haus krai protesting violence against women.

Former deputy speaker of the Autonomous Bougainville government Francesca Semoso said the turnout by women was very good.

She said the event began on Tuesday which she described as “a powerful night of ongoing singing, sharing and empowering” among 330 women present.

Semoso said the event continued yesterday with a march led by police. Women carried placards saying enough was enough and to end violence against women once and for all.

District court magistrate Bruce Tasikul and the police station commander and non-government organisations representatives gave speeches at the forum at Belisi grounds.

Semoso was impressed with business houses and citizens who responded to the appeal for donations of tents, canvases, lights to help set up the haus krai.

The event was also a time to remember the late Helen Rumbali who was beheaded last month and her sister Nikono and her two daughters who were held captive in Bana, South Bougainville.

17.05.2013

Source: EMTV

Haus Krai in Bougainville 

The women of the Autonomous region of Bougainville will be handing a set of recommendations to the ABG government to act on violence against women.

The women made the undertaking when taking part in the National Haus Krai Day.

Bougainville is a matrilineal society. Women own the land and have always been consulted when major decisions needed to be made.

It came as a shock when a woman was beheaded this year in the Bana district of South Bougainville.

“What has it done to the status of Bougainville? It has totally diminished the status of women in Bougainville. It just shows that men of Bougainville think that we are animals that in broad daylight they can get a knife and chop a women’s neck off. That is totally uncalled for – totally uncalled for,” says Francisca Semoso - Organiser.

Taking part in the Nationwide Haus Krai was the way of stating respect for women must be restored.

They marched through Buka town in song holding placards calling for the end to all forms of violence.

“It’s really important that every person takes ownership of this day because it is not only a women’s issue. It is an issue for the family, the community and the nation as a whole,” says Semoso.

The women have come up with a set of recommendations in terms of strengthening laws on violence against women to be presented to the ABG Government.

http://www.emtv.com.pg/news-app/item/haus-krai-in-bougainville?category_id=20 

16.05.2013

Source: PNG Attitude

Chinese businesses pose problems for PNG

by ISHMAEL PALIPAL

CHINESE BUSINESSES ARE FLOURISHING in all parts of Papua New Guinea and are gradually encroaching upon Bougainville. 

The Chinese population and their businesses are increasing. Many Chinese are illegal immigrants and, every year, they come and go as though Papua New Guinea is their home. 

The government gives them a visa for a six-pack of beer and citizenship for living here only three years. In my view, these Chinese businesses should be removed from the country for they sell low quality goods, pay low wages to locals, operate filthy shops and send money out of the country. 

Let me expand upon each of these points in turn.

First, these Chinese shops sell low quality goods. Their prices are very tempting to the general public and it satisfies the demand of the people. However at the end, those goods last for a day or so and are a waste. 

Last week a friend of mine bought a nice looking phone for about K100 at a Chinese shop. It lasted for three days when the speaker stopped working properly. So he went to the shop to get a refund and told the shop assistant, a local girl, what was wrong with the phone. 

Whilst they were talking, this Chinese man saw them and asked what was happening. The girl told him. The Chinese man showed him the notice and sent him away threatening them to call the police.

Just one example of what has been happening to the general public. 

Secondly, Chinese businesses in PNG and Bougainville pay low wages to their employees. In non-Chinese shops, shop assistants dress well whereas the Chinese employees dress as if they are going to work in the garden. They are only teenagers, mostly girls.

“We are not paid the normal rate others are paid,” a shop assistant said. “We work because we have no place to get money.”

She continued that if they complain about wages, the boss will tell them, ‘I don’t need you. I can get Chinese men to work.’

This is a serious issue that part of the country’s workforce is facing. It is causing more Chinese to illegally migrate into PNG to work for such businesses. 

Our government should do something about these young people for many of these Chinese store owners do not care about their employees. They should be removed from the region.

Thirdly, the shops are filthy and dusty. Throughout all the towns of Papua New Guinea where Chinese shops are, you will recognize them before you enter because even the walls outside are filthy and decaying. 

Inside the shop, the goods are decorated with dust and cobwebs. It is like coming into a house which has been deserted for many years. Even new stock looks as if it is from last year. You always need to check the expiry date of food before buying. 

But the public just buys stuff as it’s not expensive.

My last big argument with Chinese businesses is the sending of the money back to China. Our country needs money to circulate so it boosts the economy.

These Chinese businessmen stand at the counter and wait for the money. When a money bag is full, the boss will take it away into his small room and then come back to the counter to wait for another. 

But where does it go? A friend who worked at the Bank of the South Pacific in Madang told me, “You will hardly see any Chinese person depositing money in the bank”. 

Chinese businesses have been flourishing throughout Papua New Guinea serving the majority of the citizens of the country and are gradually moving towards Bougainville. They should be removed from Bougainville and even PNG.

15.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

POLICE APPEAL

By Aloysius Laukai

The Acting Assistant Police Commissioner for Bougainville, Superintendent PAUL KAMUAI is appealing to the people in Buka town to keep Buka town free from Homebrew and other liquor related problems.

In an interview with NEW DAWN FM this morning, SUPERINTENDENT KAMUAI said that BUKA town depicts the face of Bougainville and people must stop painting a wrong image on Bougainville.

He said that people should consume liquor at the right places and not on the streets.

Superintendent KAMUAI warn that Police will be taking tough actions to people who are disturbing peace within Buka town.

The Acting ACP also called on women of Bougainville who come to market their produces to refrain from sleeping at the market areas and outside buildings as this is also creating illegal activities within the town.

He said Police will be taking tough actions against these people if they are caught.

New Dawn FM understands that outside the Provincial Aids office more than twenty women sleep on the Concrete every night Monday to Thursday and they come from INUS and Wakunai areas of Central Bougainville.

15.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BOUGAINVILLE GOING THE WRONG WAY SAY AGYENTA

By Aloysius Laukai

The Head of the UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME on Bougainville, ANTHONY AGYENTA says that Bougainville was moving the wrong way due to the breakdown of cultural values.

He said that when he first arrived on Bougainville, two years ago he was happy to work among the people of Bougainville who had strong cultures that respected women and children.

MR. AGYENTA said that today after only two years he is seen a different Bougainville in which the life of a fellow human being is not respected.

He made these remarks at the HAUS KRAI programme organized by the women of Bougainville in Buka town to support PNG women to protest on the Government on why the number of killing, torturing and raping of PNG women was on the increase throughout Bougainville.

MR. AGYENTA said that Bougainville is a Christian region and such activities that goes against the Christian beliefs must be stopped immediately.

15.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

FORMER COMBATANTS SAY NO TO BY ELECTION

By Aloysius Laukai

Former combatants from North and South Bougainville want outstanding payments from the last National Election to be settled before the Bougainville By-election scheduled for July this year to proceed.

They said that it was unfair for the National Government to delay outstanding payments and delay the ABG By-election to proceed.

Former Combatants, NELSON TURIKANA, JOACHIM MONTAI and BARRY SIPA told New Dawn FM this afternoon that they have already approached the Acting Bougainville Electoral Commissioner, REITAMA TARAVARU on their concern.

They said that they would be meeting with the Bougainville Chief Administrator to discuss their grievances.

They said that it was not fair for the Electoral Commission to pay some payments and left others with outstanding claims for more than a year.

New Dawn FM understands that all Bougainville bills are already in Port Moresby and bills still outstanding would be paid from Port Moresby.

AND New Dawn FM also understands that Business Houses in Buka who are still owed monies from the National Election have met at the end of last year and wanted advance payments for any services that they will provide to the Electoral Commission in future.

15.05.2013

Source: The National

Peaceful march in Bougainville to remember victims of violence 

WOMEN in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville held a candle-light march yesterday to show their support for the national haus krai protesting violence against women.

“Mama Nikono and her two daughters are currently getting medical treatment after they were released recently,” she said.

“It is by God’s grace that they are alive today and the haus krai would remember what the women were put through.”

She said the haus krai would also remember all other victims of violence in Bougainville and around the country.

She said the march or night vigil was in Buka town and an open forum would be held today at Bel Isi grounds from at 9am to 2pm.

They have invited speakers including politicians, non-government organisations and people from the private sector.

“All business houses and private citizens have responded very well to our appeal for donations, tents, canvases and lights,” Semoso said.

15.05.2015

Source: Islands Business

Complex challenges for PM O’Neill in mining

Steering govt through rocky rival interests

by Rowan Callick

Early in the term of Papua New Guinea’s new government—which has ensured, by a constitutional amendment, that it will be in power at least until this time in 2015 – it is facing some complex challenges, especially around the country’s biggest revenue earner, mining.

There’s a common view, even in PNG which has more than a century’s history of the industry, that mining is merely about digging rocks up and shipping them to eager buyers. But it is as difficult to build and maintain a mining industry as it is easy to lose one.

Independent PNG has been substantially built on its resources, the source of about 80 percent of its export earnings—chiefly, until liquefied natural gas (LNG) starts producing revenue in a couple of years, from minerals

The big persisting dangers for PNG include:

• Spending the money before it’s been earned and thus building debt;

• The usual “Dutch disease” challenge of preventing resources from crushing the rest of the economy by inflating prices, especially damaging agriculture which is by far PNG’s chief source of employment and of family incomes; and, of course

• The debilitating battles between rival groups, including elements in various levels of government and within landowner groups, over the spoils from mining.

The dominant source of such resource revenue—and by far the biggest taxpayer in the country—has in recent years been Ok Tedi Mining Ltd. In 2011, it provided the government with about $US550 million—about 16 percent of its total income. Recently, the government has banned leading Australian economist and public intellectual Ross Garnaut from entering PNG, even though he was the chairman of Ok Tedi, the country’s highest tax paying company. It sought, by ratchetting up tensions around the mine and its governance, to place direct pressure on BHP-Billiton, which a decade ago withdrew from the operation due to environmental embarrassments, and set up a trust to run the mine.

Relax rules

The government appears to want BHP to agree to change the constitutional arrangements that hold substantial dividends back until the mine closes—now worth about $US1.5 billion. It also wants BHP to relax the rules that constrain its access to funds available annually for local development. Garnaut has stood aside this year for former prime minister Sir Mekere Morauta, who now chairs not only Ok Tedi Mining Ltd but also PNG Sustainable Development Program Ltd, the chief shareholder in Ok Tedi, which manages the holding in trust for the people of the mine area of Western Province and of PNG more broadly. PNG Finance Minister, James Marape, has recently sought to redirect some of the funds provided annually for local development, which have recently been used to buy boats and aircraft for local use to a new lobby group.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are now coming into play in this dispute, as the government places pressure on Ok Tedi in one area after another—including the ultimate sanction of refusing to allow an extension of the mine after its current approvals end this year. It is almost unthinkable that the mine would then permanently close. The thriving mining township, Tabubil, is being redeveloped as a centre for training and tertiary education, and for health work and research. But this transformation is far from complete. In the meantime, Tabubil continues to provide jobs and incomes for large number of families, and local people benefit from spin-offs and infrastructure work. So despite the mine’s many problems, starting with the collapse of its tailings dam causing mine waste to be flushed down the river system, permanent closure is most unlikely.

The far more probable course, is that the government would invite in a new operator. But from where? Although copper is today’s most-sought mineral, there is not a long list of aspirants. A Chinese buyer is most likely, given the country’s eager appetite for access to the resources its industrial growth requires. But Ramu Nickel, which recently began production, is operated by Chinese government corporation MCC. And it enjoys a surprising ten-year tax holiday, agreed by the Somare government in the face of opposition from within the bureaucracy. This would thus mark the starting point in any negotiation with Beijing. It is hard to imagine any other Chinese state owned enterprise accepting less than a ten-year tax holiday—which then raises the question of how this would benefit PNG, especially given the usual practice of Chinese corporations importing much of their own labour for such projects.

Just 100 km from Ok Tedi lies another huge copper/gold resource, Frieda River. But unfortunately for PNG, this is mostly owned by Xstrata—which eventually produced just before Christmas, after some postponements, a feasibility study. But some outstanding work remains. Xstrata is destined for imminent merger with Glencore, which is a Swiss based resource trading giant. And Glencore will not want a bar of even such a vast, promising resource as Frieda. Its chief executive Ivan Glasenberg, who will head the merged entity, said recently:

“We are afraid of greenfields”—new mines, which are considered risky and sometimes have capital over-runs.”

Glasenberg is a trader not comfortable with waiting for five years for a return. The Xstrata-Glencore merger is awaiting approval from regulators in China—which could itself prove a beneficiary, with the promising greenfields Frieda project coming into play. Brisbane-based Highlands Pacific, a minor partner at Ramu and Frieda, and also an explorer with promising assets close to Ok Tedi, is looking on with hope mingled with anxiety.

Meanwhile, over in Bougainville, the prospect of reopening the vast copper mine there—which featured at the centre of the decade-long civil war from which the autonomous province is still steadily recovering—hangs over any consideration of economic rejuvenation. President John Momis is calling on his considerable experience to urge all sides to take this prospect slowly. Any rapid change in the position on reopening the mine—which is still mainly owned by Rio Tinto Ltd—would play in to the referendum on Bougainville’s future that is due in a couple of years. But Bougainville will seek to insist, whatever happens constitutionally, that any future mine revenue stays in the province and doesn’t come through Port Moresby.

Besides these tangles, PNG is fortunate in having landed the firm focus of Melbourne-based Newcrest, the world’s third largest gold miner. Half of Newcrest’s resources now lie in PNG and the company has the technical and strategic skills, the capital, and crucially, the combination of commitment and understanding of how PNG operates, to realise those assets steadily.

And Mines Minister Byron Chan wants to change the laws to give the lion’s share of mining revenues directly to the landowners—although rival landowner groups frequently challenge each other over “true” ownership, when the unique opportunity arises to realise their core asset, access to their land.

The bottom line for PNG is that its government has to understand that, despite all the zeroes on the kina figures anticipated from LNG alone, success in managing a massive resources sector is not guaranteed, and that those revenues can dwindle almost overnight, leaving it with no obvious replacement.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill thus still has to steer his ship of government through dangerous seas full of rocky rival interest groups. His core challenge is to help create, preserve and invest the wealth released by resource exploitation, rather than simply dividing up the spoils.

15.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Incredible crossing

by WINTERFORD TOREAS

MOTORISTS travelling from Arawa in Central Bougainville to villages in South Bougainville have to go past many fast flowing rivers. And most of these rivers, which do not have bridges, can be hard to go across especially during the rainy seasons. Pictured is a land cruiser negotiating its way across the flooded Mopiai River in the Siwai district of South Bougainville. 

15.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Classes resume in Kieta

By ROMULUS MASIU

THREE educational institutions in Kieta District, Central Bougainville, have been directed to resume classes this week.

The directive came from Bougainville Education Chief Executive Officer Bruno Babato last week during a meeting with parents and citizens of Metonai Primary School, Metonai Elementary School and St Paul’s Metonai Specialised Training Centre. 

The three institutions have had classes suspended for nearly two months now after the nearby Pinei River burst its banks and flooded the school premises. This had forced the education division office through Mr Babato to suspend classes — sending students and teachers home.

After personally inspecting the river, Mr Babato told the gathering at Metonai Primary School that he had come up with the direction to uplift the suspension and for classes to begin on Monday. The lifting of thr suspension is temporary. Mr Babato said this was not the first time the Pinei River flooded the school.

He said the resumption of classes would be temporary and if the river flooded, classes would again be suspended by his office. Mr Babato said it was likely for the river to burst its banks and flood the school in five years time. 

According to Mr Babato the long-term solution is to relocate the primary and elementary schools. He said if the community did not want the school to be relocated, the education division would not hesitate to close the schools altogether.

The community opted for the relocation and plan to start the process next year.

An elated community leader Andrew Nompo could not hold back tears and openly wept in front of Mr Babato along with his district education officers of Kieta and Panguna after Mr Babato’s decision to uplift the suspension of the schools. 

Mr Nompo praised Babato for his well-timed decision to uplift the suspension of his schools. 

He said his community was ready to work in partnership with the education division to relocate the schools to higher grounds and had already identified and allocated land area for this to happen.

15.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Displaced villagers receive food supplies

By Sebastian Hakalits

BOUGAINVILLE Regional Disaster and Emergency Services office is providing food supplies to displaced villagers from Bekut on Buka Island who are taking refuge at Gagan village. 

The villagers are relatives of the suspects in the killing of a Correctional Service officer early this year who was on compassionate leave and who happens to be from Bekut.

Chief of the displaced villages, Gitoana Reisin, said, “We were threatened by the community of Bekut to move out or we would be killed. And for our safety also, we were asked by the hierarchies of Bekut Correctional Service to move to a safe area until all investigations are completed. So we have taken refuge at Gagan village, also in the same constituency.

“All our food gardens, cocoa plots and houses have been destroyed and we are all innocent people who were or are not part in the death of the deceased. But we are still receiving threats now, even though we are at Gagan village.” Mr Franklyn Lacey, who is the Coordinator of the Regional Disaster and Emergency Services in Bougainville, said the displaced villagers had been given refuge by the Gagan community for four months now, since they were threatened by the community of Bekut. 

There are 15 families altogether with a total of 89 people, including 42 children. They are residing in five houses at Gagan village.

The displaced villagers are currently facing a shortage of food and the office is assisting them with supplies.

14.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BOUGAINVILLE WOMEN JOIN PNG

By Aloysius Laukai

The women of Bougainville will join their PAPUA NEW GUINEA counterparts to participate in the Nationwide HAUS KRAI programme to highlight the need to protect our womenfolk from abuse and other problems facing women of PNG and the world today.

Buka women will stage a two-day demonstration and would be gathering at the BEL ISI PARK starting tomorrow Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

The National Haus Krai is a stop work demonstration and call for immediate action to mourn the women, mothers , sisters, aunties, daughters and grandmothers who through brutal attacks, rapes, sorcery and witchcraft related accusations and were killed.

This is a symbolic act of solidarity to call upon the government and the nation to take serious action to these issues.

The newly formed group, WOMEN ARISE PNG is leading a coalition of women’s groups, Church groups, Charity Organizations, Trade Unions, Business Houses and local groups.

Organizers are asking participants to wear Black in support of this campaign.

One of the Organizers of the Buka program, FRANCESCA SEMOSO today thanked all Business Houses, women groups and supporters who have contributed in cash and kind towards the staging of the event in Buka.

The Buka ceremony started with women marching from the Buka airport where they will stay at the BEL ISI Park where the women will sing and pray discuss issues until daybreak.

Tomorrow’s ceremony will start at 9 am in the morning at the BEL ISI PARK.

14.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ELECTRONIC ID CARD SYSTEM AWAWERENESS LAUNCHED

By Aloysius Laukai

The EID system is a way forward for Papua New Guinea according to the Bougainville Deputy Administrator, Policy, PAUL KEBORI.

He made these remarks at the opening ceremony of the Electronic Card System awareness workshop in Buka this morning.

MR. KEBORI said the EID system would benefit Papua New Guinea to help combat the rising crime rate in the country.

He said Bougainville will definitely take part in the system and wants assistance from the National Government to set up an office on Bougainville to roll this project.

MR. KEBORI said that the Autonomous Region of BOUGAINVILLE will benefit from the project if the EID system is rolled throughout Papua New Guinea including Bougainville.

The one-day workshop in Buka is being attended by some ABG members, officers from the Bougainville Administration and NGO’s and the people of Bougainville including all media outlets ,EM TV Kundu2, Radio Bougainville, Post Courier, theNational, Radio Bougainville and New Dawn FM.

Officers from the Port Moresby includes the Deputy National Statistician, MR.ROKO KOLOMA, ALOHAI POCHAPON from the Population and Social Services Division, KENNY HITOLO,DIMS Project Manager, CASPER ANTARI Government Special Projects.

14.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG PRESIDENTS THANKS PNG GOVERNMENT

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG President, DR. JOHN MOMIS has acknowledged the goodwill the Papua New Government is finally showing to the people of Bougainville by establishing the NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANK on Bougainville this year.

He made these remarks at the dinner hosted by the management of the National Development in Buka last Thursday evening.

President MOMIS said that Bougainville alone bankrolled the independence of PAPUA NEW GUINEA and that it was a pity the Papua New Guinea government took so long to reciprocate this to the government and the people of Bougainville.

He said that the National Development Bank’s establishment on Bougainville will once again boost the economic activity in the region by supporting Small and Medium Enterprises to move into their next level of operation.

ABG President said this was the kind of support the people of Bougainville have been waiting for to rebuild the economy of Bougainville.

He said that the people of Bougainville were industrious people but needed the assistance from Banks such as the Development Bank to kick start their operations.

The ABG President said that the ABG was ready to pump money into the National Development Bank to act as collateral for Bougainville Businessmen and women who want to go into business.

He said because of the situation on the island and due to no insurance cover of many activities on the island, the establishment of National Development is welcomed.

The ABG President also thanked the Managing Director of the National Development and its staff for finally making it to Buka to announce the long awaited news that is to open a branch in Buka and Arawa this year.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government President also pledged to inject TEN MILLION KINA as collateral to the National Development Bank to enable Bougainville Businesses have access to loans to build their businesses.

This was on top of the already budgeted THREE MILLION KINA for this year 2013

ABG President in making this announcement said that this would be done later this year through a submission to cabinet to support the people of Bougainville.

He described last night’s gathering as small but significant in that for the first time the people of Bougainville will be able to be in control for their own lives.

President Momis said that the Autonomous Bougainville Government, since 2005 has been trying its best to assist the people and the coming of the National Development to Bougainville was a blessing indeed.

Meanwhile, The National Development Bank (NDB) will establish its Bougainville Branch in Buka in two weeks time.

This was announced by the Bank’s Managing Director, MOSES LIU in Buka last Thursday night.

He was speaking at the dinner organized by the Bank at the Kuri Village Resort.

The MD for the National Development Bank said that a total of TWENTY MILLION has been pumped by the government this year to give out loans to the people of Papua New Guinea and this includes Bougainville.

He said Bougainville will have its branches in Buka and Arawa to start off with.

MR. LIU said that his Bank is ready to help the people of Bougainville by giving out loans and also that the National Development Bank will only charge TEN KINA for account keeping and nothing more.

14.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BOUGAINVILLE WOMEN CAN DO IT SAYS COMMERCE MINISTER

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG Minister for Commerce and Trade and member for Konnou, WILFRED KOMBA says that Bougainville women can be successful in business if given support by the government.

The Minister was speaking at the four-day Bougainville Women in Business workshop in Buka town last week.

Minister KOMBA said that Bougainville women played a leading role in re-establishing normalcy on Bougainville and have also shown that they are capable of succeeding in Business as women are naturally good home managers.

He said that the MOMIS NISIRA government would be putting some money in the NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BAND as collateral for women in Business members to utilize and upgrade their current operations.

MINISTER KOMBA also called on the women of Bougainville to support each other instead of backstabbing fellow Bougainvilleans who are trying to do their businesses.

The Four-days workshop ended last Thursday afternoon.

14.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Fund identified projects

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

 BOUGAINVILLE’S four National Parliamentarians have been urged to use their district support improvement program (DSIP) allocation to fund projects identified in their electorates.

 This call was recently issued by a former senior officer with the Department of Education.

 Former Teaching Service Commission’s (TSC) Regional Advisor for the New Guinea Islands region, Mr Anthony Tsora, said every year each MP is allocated K2 million which is earmarked for improving the education sector in their electorate.

 Mr Tsora said if these Bougainville MPs utilise this K2m to fund all educational institutions in their area this would greatly improve schools' infrastructure.

 He said instead of the MPs funding educational projects according to their own will, they should assist in funding projects that have already been identified by the schools through their schools learning improvement plans (SLIP).

“Most of the schools have their SLIP plans. These SLIP plans contain the development plans for the school. If these SLIP programs can be recognised as development plans for the schools, then some of these DSIP funding should be used to fund projects identified in the SLIP plan,” Mr Tsora said.

“Our position as members is not to implement projects. Our position is to link with the National Government and source more funds to develop more infrastructures in our electorates, so that the standard of living is improved and people, including students, will be happy,” added Mr Tsora.

 Mr Tsora stressed that as soon as the K2m funding is made available, each MP should use it to fund projects identified by each school through their SLIP plans.

 He said there was no excuse for school infrastructure to deteriorate when every year each MP is allocated K2m to be used in improving school infrastructure.

 He added that MPs should be held accountable, saying even though they are given a large sum of funding each year for the education sector, most school children continue to suffer.

 Mr Tsora, who was also the former boss of the Bougainville education division, is also calling on the Bougainville Regional Commissioners and district executive managers to work together with the Bougainville MPs in developing the educational institutions in their districts and region. “Let’s be transparent, let’s be accountable and let’s work together. All the schools need your support,” he said.

14.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Prisoners need Bibles

By ROMULUS MASIU

 PRISONERS at the Arawa police lock up need a Holy Bible each to continue Bible classes in their overcrowded cell blocks.

 While the debate on implementing the death penalty heats up, the well-behaved prisoners of Arawa have been given another chance in life with the introduction of Bible classes.

 Pastor Andrew Avuopiri from the Christian Mission Fellowship based in Arawa is spearheading the Bible study classes. Inmates are now reading, writing and studying the Word of God. Some of the topics discussed with Ps Avuopiri are Power of Dreams, Who am I in Christ, What is my Purpose in Life and many more wonderful Bible topics.

“We are seeking assistance from individuals or business houses to donate bibles and materials such as books, biros, pencils for the boys to carry on our Bible Studies,” Ps Avuopiri told Post-Courier last week Friday. 

 Arawa Town Council has already chipped in with some Bibles, exercise books and biros. But this is not enough as the prisoners would like to have a Bible each.

 The program kicked off this year after Ps Avuopiri approached police who allowed him to share and study the Word of God with the prisoners - with classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00am.

“After seeing that the prisoners were not given much visitation time, I came up with the idea of coming over and visiting them more often and share with them the Gospel of God.

“We are not up to date with our visitation of the prisoners, therefore I thought of trying to offer them something to do while in the cells. I see the prisoners have nothing else to do apart from sleeping, waking up, eating and that’s all.”

The topics discussed are of paramount importance as these will be the basis of their lives when they return to their villages, homes and communities to start new lives.

 "At least we keep them busy by giving them the Word of God and encouragement because we want them to be a different person when they leave the prisons," the pastor said. 

 Ps Avuopiri believes that for Bougainville to prosper, "we must start to treat our prisoners differently, our prisoners must not be punished.

 "These prisoners are counted in the population of Bougainville. When we look at the political future of Bougainville, we don’t want to lose anybody out of the equation because we don’t have that much population, we need all the people to work together to rebuild our island. 

“These prisoners are very vital human resources for the island regions and we must all help them to be good citizens when they leave the prison gates," Pastor Avuopiri said.

Prisoners of the Arawa block cells in full concentration during their Bible studies with Pastor Avuopiri at their makeshift classrooms inside their cell blocks. Picture: ROMULUS MASIU.

13.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PUBLIC NOTICE

Buka  Office Space and Accommodation for RENT

NEW DAWN FM in Buka has an Office Space and Accommodation for RENT to Corporate Client only or one Government Department.

The Fully Air-conditioned building can accommodate up to 20 persons.

It has a Conference Room, Toilet and Shower facility and a large Team room, Reception and an IT room with running water.

A lot of people have been asking for this office space but the owners want only one corporate client who has the best offer.

Call us on 675 72553439 or 71915292 or email at alaukai@hotmail.com to inspect this week only.

13.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Work on road slow

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE construction and upgrading work on one of the feeder roads in North Bougainville is very slow.

Autonomous Bougainville Government Minister for Works Carolus Ketsimur expressed his dissatisfaction over how the project is going after his surprise visit to the location last week.

Funds for the project were allocated by ABG through its high impact project funding priority area.

Mr Ketsimur said he was dismayed after seeing that the contractor was only using a small “toy bulldozer” to do the clearance work, saying the bulldozer was too small to carry out heavy-duty work.

He said it was now over two months since the ground-breaking ceremony for that 10.9km Tinputz-Okapa No 2 Road Project, located in the Tinputz District in North Bougainville took place. He said to date there was only clearance work done by the contractor which had barely reached the middle of that stretch of road. 

“That machine working on that road is not only too small but to my observation it keeps breaking down and time is wasted,” a very disappointed Mr Ketsimur said.

Since funding for these feeder roads comes from the ABG, it is the Bougainville Division of Technical Services that was responsible for supervising such feeder road projects. 

The ABG Works Minister said he would like to see that this Tinputz-Pokapa No 2 road was successfully completed so that the people there, especially the cocoa farmers could be able to easily transport their produce to their nearest market.

Mr Ketsimur revealed that at the moment, many cocoa farmers from the mountainous areas of Tinputz were packing the produce into smaller bags and carrying them down to the main trunk road, where they then filled up the dried cocoa beans into cocoa bags, before transporting them to Buka.

When asked on the progress of the other feeder roads that were also funded by ABG, Mr Ketsimur said he had yet to visit them and get first hand updates on their work progress. 

This Tinputz-Pokapa No 2 Road project which was awarded K897,000 is the first of the six feeder roads that were identified and were awarded funding under the ABG’s K7 million kina budget allocation last year for the upgrading and maintenance of feeder roads in Bougainville.

This funding was sourced from the special K100 million funding that was given to the ABG by the National Government towards the end of last year. 

The other feeder road which will also benefit from this K7m allocation is the 15.4km Ramazon-Suir feeder road also located in North Bougainville, which was allocated K1, 293, 738, and two other feeder roads each from Central and South Bougainville.

Meanwhile, Mr Ketsimur is appealing to all road contractors in Bougainville to ensure that they have the right equipment, manpower and mentality to do any road construction work.

He said the ABG had allocated another K10m this year for the upgrading of other feeder roads therefore contractors must be adequately prepared before bidding for these tendered road construction projects.

13.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Query on road contract

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government does not have anything to do or say regarding the road sealing project that was funded by the National Government to be carried out in the northern tip of mainland Bougainville.

The above response was made by the ABG Minister for Works Carolus Ketsimur (pictured) when asked to comment on the 20km Kokopau-Siara road sealing project in the Selau District in North Bougainville.

He said the ABG was never consulted nor allowed to give its say regarding this tendering and contract-awarding process.

Mr Ketsimur’s response now answers the criticisms that were directed towards the ABG regarding the awarding of this contract.

Many Bougainvilleans have been blaming and questioning the ABG on how one Bougainvillean-owned road construction company (named) was awarded the contract to upgrade the section of the Kokopau-Siara road.

This road upgrading work is the first part of this road sealing project.

Many people have been continuously bombarding the ABG with criticisms because they saw that this road upgrading project was not done according to standard.

They said all the sections of that road which was maintained had already deteriorated and needed to be re-upgraded again before the sealing process could take place. 

Mr Ketsimur also revealed that one locally-owned company, which did not have any expertise or machinery for road sealing projects, was also awarded the contract to seal that Kokopau-Siara road. 

When quizzed on how this contractor was awarded the project, Mr Ketsimur replied that the ABG did not have any idea nor was it involved as this process was done in the nation’s capital.

He, however, added that the contract was later re-awarded to one Chinese PNG-based company, Covec, which had the expertise and also specialisds in road sealing projects. Meanwhile, many Bougainvilleans are calling for an investigation to be conducted on how the contract for the project was awarded.

13.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Panguna mine chemicals affecting locals

Romulus Masiu

CHEMICALS at the now defunct Panguna copper mine in Bougainville operated by Rio Tinto’s Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) are taking their toll on Bougainvilleans engaged in alluvial mining operations within the mine lease areas.

As Bougainville approaches its referendum and there is talk of reopening the mine, Bougainvilleans are now calling on relevant authorities, especially the Bougainville Copper Foundation (BCF), to conduct awareness on the dangers of the disposed chemicals.

According to the people, the residue of mine chemicals could be responsible for babies born with deformities, with their parents who are alluvial miners who pan for gold in the affected Kavarong and Jaba Rivers of Panguna every day.

However, these reports could not be independently verified by any authorised experts. Other complaints include stomach cancer, ulcers and tumors.

Dickson Siparu, a former Panguna mine employee told Post-Courier that during the mining operations the chemicals nitrate and cyanide were excessively used in the operations.

Presently children and adults who frequent the affected Kavarong and Jaba Rivers have ulcers (sores) on their legs and bodies, he said.

Women are brought to the Arawa and Buka general hospital with stomach complaints, which the people believe could be the result of these chemicals.

Mr Siparu now wants BCF to help the people affected by BCL’s doings.

“There is clear evidence of nitrate and cyanide at the Jaba River pump station area. Rio Tinto through BCL must be held responsible for their actions,” he said.

When contacted by the Post-Courier, BCL said it “believes that it is most unlikely that any residues from mining operations at Panguna could be associated with reported cases of ill-health among alluvial miners panning for gold in Central Bougainville”.

A BCL spokesman said cyanide was never used at Panguna.

“For almost 20 years, the Panguna mine produced concentrate containing both copper and gold, which was exported in bulk for further refining,” he told the Post-Courier.

“There was no gold extraction process that required agents like cyanide and there is no record of any cyanide ever being imported or used anywhere on the island by Bougainville Copper.”

The BCL spokesman said “nitrate” could refer to ammonium nitrate, a common substance widely used as fertiliser throughout the world.

“Ammonium nitrate is by itself non-toxic and water soluble, considered safe for humans and plants in agricultural applications around the world.”

The BCL spokesman said the company viewed with sympathy and concern any instance of alluvial miners or their families developing skin problems or other ailments caused by long periods of time spent working in muddy water, or in unsafe small-scale mining.

They have been asked to take extra precautions when in the vicinity of reported cases of poisoning.

13.05.2013

Source: THE NATIONAL

Violence statistics show more people seeking help

The Buka District Court in Bougainville has been issuing more Interim Protection Orders (IPOs) in recent times than previously. 

This could be an indication of an increase in violence against women and children in Buka and Bougainville or it could be due to an awareness on IPOs. 

An IPO is a court order granted to protect a victim, whether male or female and their dependants from continuous violence inflicted on them while awaiting a main court order. 

This type of violence can be in the form of mental, physical or verbal abuse. 

Locations in Buka where an IPO can be filed include the Public Solicitors Office, Buka Police Station through their help desk at the prosecution section and the Buka Court House. 

As soon as a person files an IPO it is in force, however, it will have to go through a court hearing where both parties must argue their case before a final decision is made. 

Statistics released by the Public Solicitors Office show that in 2012 alone, a total of 61 IPOs were issued, mostly by women and their children against their abusive husbands and fathers. 

Of this total, eight IPOs were issued in South Bougainville, 15 in Central Bougainville and a record 38 in North Bougainville. 

From this 38 recorded in North Bougainville, two were taken out by husbands against their abusive wives. This year has again seen another nine IPOs already issued by the Public solicitor’s Office. 

Apart from the PubSol Office, statistics released by the Buka police station’s prosecution section show that 70 IPOs were issued for the period 2010-2013. 

In 2010, a total of 10 IPOs were taken out by women against their husbands, and the figure doubled to 22 IPOs issued the following year 2011. 

From this 22, two were taken out by men against their abusive wives, with one of them flying all the way from the nation’s capital to get an IPO against his wife who was having an affair with another man. 

Last year, the prosecution section recorded another 31 cases of IPOs, taken mostly by women against their husbands. 

During 2012, a number of cases were recorded of children taking out IPOs against their abusive parents. Another seven IPOs have already been issued by the police prosecution section this year. 

According to Senior Constable Florence Nohu from the prosecution section, the number of IPOs issued has been on the rise following an awareness campaign on IPOs. 

Many families are now aware of this protective order and are using it against their abusive husbands, wives and parents. 

Apart from the PubSol, police prosecution section and the Buka District Court clerk, the welfare officers and community development officers based in the 13 districts of Bougainville are also now versed with how to properly file an IPO after recently attending a workshop on IPOs. 

The idea of equipping these officers is in line with the Bougainville Community Development division’s proactive program of equipping its officers with this knowledge so they can assist victims within their districts.

13.05.2013

Source: Papua New Guinea Mine Watch

Bougainville Mining Law not so revolutionary

by ramunickel 

Bougainville's new Mining Law does not live up to its hype as a world first.*

Despite the rhetoric from President Momis and the celebratory headlines of a compliant press, led by the Australian ABC, the new law fails to deliver on the promised rights for customary landowners.

Sure, local people can veto exploration on their land, but who doesn't want to know what might be under their feet?

Unfortunately once the exploration starts that is the end of any meaningful rights for the landowners and it is the Bougainville government that then holds all the cards.

This is a poorly drafted piece of legislation, the people of Bougainville deserve better.

Annotated key sections

12.       CUSTOMARY RIGHTS OVER MINERALS OF OWNERS OF CUSTOMARY LAND

The customary rights over minerals of the owners of customary land include, but are not limited to, the following rights:

(a)        to be consulted about the grant of an exploration licence over the land and to withhold consent to any such grant;

(b)        in the case of a mining lease, a lease for mining purposes or a mining easement over the land:

(i)         to be consulted at a Bougainville Mineral Resources Forum; and

(ii)        to participate in a mediation in accordance with section 25;

(c)        to be consulted about the grant of a small-scale extraction lease over the land and to withhold consent to any such grant;

(d)       to share in any revenue generated by mining development on the land;

(e)        to participate in opportunities arising from mining development on the land;

(f)        to receive compensation for the impact of mining development on the land, being compensation which reflects the nature and extent of such impact.

Under 12(a) landowners can withhold consent for exploration licenses, but that’s it. Once the exploration license is granted, the ABG hold all the cards. At this very preliminary stage landowners would have few indications as to the size of the deposit, their share of the revenue, benefits to be given, waste disposal methods – so the only enforceable moment where they can refuse mining is made when very few facts are to hand. Once consent to exploration is given, the ABG can from then-on override landowners.

The landowners may have some rights to revenues, but the ABG has complete authority to determine what those are. So really this should more accurately be called the transfer of power from PNG to ABG Act.  All customary rights are expressed in such vague language, as to be virtually unenforceable.

And then there is this:

14.       RESOLVING DISPUTES BY CONSENSUS.

Subject to this Act, disputes about minerals involving the owners of customary land are to be resolved, so far as practicable, by consensus.

Come on, this is just waffle, or fluff if you like; notional rights (dressed up in a quasi-Melanesian idiom), with absolutely no teeth

But now we get to where the Act becomes much clearer – the teeth appear and the ABG are given them all.

15.       EXCLUSIVE POWER OF THE AUTONOMOUS BOUGAINVILLE GOVERNMENT TO GRANT TENEMENTS

(1)        The Autonomous Bougainville Government has exclusive power to grant tenements under this Act because of the multiplicity of landholders’ interests mentioned in subsection (2) that are, or are likely to be, affected directly or indirectly by the grant of a tenement.

16.       EXCLUSIVE POWER OF THE AUTONOMOUS BOUGAINVILLE GOVERNMENT TO DISTRIBUTE MINING REVENUES

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has exclusive power to determine the amount, and the allocation, of revenue from the development of minerals.

18.       CUSTOMARY RIGHTS DO NOT AFFECT EXCLUSIVE POWERS OF THE AUTONOMOUS BOUGAINVILLE GOVERNMENT

To avoid doubt, customary rights do not in any way affect the exclusive powers of the Autonomous Bougainville Government under sections 15 and 16.

But this is not all - it gets worse, The ABG is given the right to recognize landowner representative organizations – the ABG become kingmakers, regardless of local views. Leaders against mining will be sidelined as unrepresentative, and those in the ABG’s pocket will be recognized!

20.       APPROVAL OF LANDOWNER ORGANISATIONS.

(1)        Subject to subsection (2), the Bougainville Executive Council may from time to time approve one or more organisations to represent all or some of the owners:

         (a)      of customary land that is the subject of an application for a mining lease; or

         (b)      of customary land that the Council is satisfied is likely to be the subject of an application for a mining lease.

And what happens if those made king by the ABG fail to consent to the mine, they can still be overridden:

26.       OVERRIDING POWERS OF THE AUTONOMOUS BOUGAINVILLE GOVERNMENT.

(1)        This section applies to an application for the grant of a mining lease if:

            (a)        a mediation in respect of the application has been conducted under section 25; and

            (b)        the consent to the grant of the application has not be given by:

            (i)         the approved landowner organisation, or one or more of the approved landowner organisations, representing the owners of the customary land in respect of which the application has been made; or

            (ii)        any owners of that customary land not represented by an approved landowner organisation; or

            (iii)       any other landholders of the land in respect of which the application has been made; and

(c)        no other issues relating to the application remain in dispute.

(2)        The Autonomous Bougainville Government is by force of this section empowered to override the requirement for the consents referred to in subparagraphs (1)(b)(i),(ii) and (iii).

11.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG PRESIDENT THANKS PNG GOVERNMENT

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG President, DR. JOHN MOMIS last night acknowledged the goodwill PNG Government is finally showing to the people of Bougainville by establishing the NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANK on Bougainville.

He was speaking at the dinner hosted by the management of the National Development in Buka last night.

President MOMIS said that Bougainville alone bankrolled the independence of PAPUA NEW GUINEA and that it was a pity the Papua New Guinea government took so long to reciprocate this to the government and the people of Bougainville.

He said that the National Development Bank’s establishment on Bougainville will once again boost the economic activity in the region by supporting Small and Medium Enterprises to move into their next level of operation.

The ABG President also thanked the Managing Director of the National Development and its staff for finally making it to Buka to announce the long awaited news that is to open a branch in Buka and Arawa this year.

11.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES TEN MILLION

By Aloysius Laukai

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has pledged to inject TEN MILLION KINA as collateral to the National Development Bank to enable Bougainville Businesses can have access to loans to build their businesses.

This is on top of the already budgeted THREE MILLION KINA for this year 2013.

ABG President in making this announcement said that this would be done later this year through a submission to cabinet to support the people of Bougainville.

He described last night’s gathering as small but significant in that for the first time the people of Bougainville will be able to be in control for their own lives.

President Momis said that the government has been trying its best to assist the people and the coming of the National Development to Bougainville was a blessing indeed.

11.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

UC CHURCH PACKED TO BID FAREWELL

By Aloysius Laukai

The United Church in Buka town was packed today as friends, families and government officials gathered to pay their last respect to the former North Bougainville member, LATE SAM TULO who passed away on Monday this week.

The ceremony started with a church service led by the United Church Bishop TIM AUTHER.

Later, speeches were given by the Deputy Administrator Policy, CHRIS SIRIOSI, LLG Minister, JOE NOPE, ALISSON TOWALOM from the National Government, ABG President JOHN MOMIS and the son of the late SAM TULO, ANDREW TULO.

His life story was read by his brother PHILEMON TULO.

In his condolence message, the ABG President described the late SAM TULO as a living Saint who did a lot for the people of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville.

He said that he was surprised to hear of the many things he did when he was alive.

 PRESIDENT MOMIS said that it was no use praising somebody when he was already death when they should have supported what he wanted to do when he was still alive.

 He said that the death of SAM TULO can make us rethink and unite and support each other and move Bougainville forward.

 His son, ANDREW TULO thanked the ABG Government and the people of Bougainville for paying their respect on his father at the Buka United Church this afternoon.

10.05.2013

Source: Papua New Guinea Mine Watch

The scandalous dealings of Panguna mine supporter Kandaso Napi

by ramunickel / PNG Exposed

Engan businessman, Kandaso Napi, is a vocal supporter of reopening the Panguna mine on Bougainville but he has already illegally obtained millions of kina by exploiting the war sparked by the mine and the suffering of women and children….

The Daily Log (The National) and The Post-Courier are fond of publishing press-releases as news. Lately the Engan ‘self-made businessman’, Kandaso Napi, and his unadulterated views on Bougainville, have been getting heavy airplay in the national media (7 articles in the Post-Courier alone!!). Napi made his fortune leasing trucks to Bougainville Copper Limited – owned by Rio Tinto – during the 1980s.

Napi wants Rio Tinto to return to Bougainville and uplift its ‘impoverished’ population who are now, he claims, “living off the streets of Port Moresby or the jungles of Bougainville”.* The Post-Courier reports Napi “urged all stakeholders, landowners and government to meet, discuss and explore all avenues available that would lead to reopening the Panguna copper mine as soon as possible for the benefit of Bougainvillean men, women and children” – not, of course, for the benefit of Napi.

Referring to Rio Tinto’s role in war crimes, Napi argues,“it is better to work with the devil you know”. He adds in a recent statement to The National, “BCL or Rio Tinto … must not be squarely blamed for all the problems associated with the mine”.

What The Post-Courier and The National fail to note – why would they, after all journalism is not their business – is that Napi cashed in on the Bougainville war through a scandalous and illegal claim which was slammed by the Commission of Inquiry into the Department of Finance.**

Tens of thousands of Bougainvilleans had their homes and livelihood destroyed by national government forces between 1988-1998 – many lost their loved ones too under the most brutal of circumstances. None of these Bougainvilleans have been compensated for their loss by the national government; even a US class action against Rio Tinto has been slapped down.

Things, however, have fared much better for the Engan businessman. If money talks, Napi it would appear, is the only true victim of the Bougainville conflict, that is according to the national government.

The Commission of Inquiry allege that Napi’s company Nakitu Ltd, claimed “a total of K13.1 million [from the PNG government], as the ‘projected’ loss suffered” from the Bougainville conflict.

The Commission of Inquiry observed, “there is no cause of action known at law to support such claim and to link the State and make the State liable for loss of business which the claimant claims as suffered”.

They continue, “Mr. Gelu, as the Solicitor General … essentially agreed that there was no cause of action, (see transcript of proceedings no. 81,  pp2677-2678) but yet he proceeded to settle the claim”. Now why would Mr Gelu do that????

Before the NEC became aware of the illegal transaction, Napi successfully pocketed K3.25 million. Not bad!

So Napi cashes in on the suffering associated with the conflict through illegal means, while the actual victims of state atrocities, the people of Bougainville, have received a total of K0.00 in compensation.

And yet still the national press feels it is appropriate to publish ‘article’ (press-release) after ‘article’ (press-release) on Napi and his vision for the reopening of Panguna.

Now why would they do that???

References

* http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20130219/business.htm

** http://pngexposed.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/the-full-finance-department-commission-of-inquiry-report/ 

10.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT FOR THE LATE SAM TULO

By Aloysius Laukai

The late SAM TULO will be laid to rest at his LULI village on Buka island this Saturday.

According to the Funeral program, the late SAM TULO’s body will be brought to the BUKA TOWN UNITED CHURCH were leaders and friends will pay their respect and lay wreaths between 8am and 10 am tomorrow Friday morning.

Between 10 am and 11 am the body of the late SAM TULO will be brought into the ABG Parliament house for ABG leaders including the President, DR. JOHN MOMIS and his cabinet and ABG members to pay their last respect.

The body of the late SAM TULO will then handed by the ABG President DR. JOHN MOMIS to the family and relatives after 2pm in the afternoon.

The body will then be taken to HAKU where he will overnight in Haku before he is laid to rest on Saturday morning.

Speeches at the Funeral service will be made by MR. CHRIS SIRIOSI Deputy Administrator, Policy, DR. ELIAKIM APELIS from the National Government, ABG Minister for LLG, JOSEPH NOPEI, Minister for Bougainville Affairs, STEVEN PIRIKA and the ABG President DR. JOHN MOMIS.

10.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Tohiana tells women to rise up

By Aloysius Laukai

The Manageress of the Buka urban Council, BRENDA TOHIANA says businesses operating within the Town boundary must pay operating licences from the Buka urban Council apart from the licences from the IPA office.

She made these remarks at the Bougainville Women in Business workshop in Buka this afternoon.

MS TOHIANA said her office was now collaborating with IPA,LIQUOR OFFICE and other offices to make sure that all businesses are adhering to regulations of running businesses.

She said that even head taxes are not being paid by alot businesses operating within the Buka Town Authority boundary that covers, Buka town, Sohano, Kokopau, Kubu and Hutjena.

10.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BSP BOMBARDED WITH QUESTIONS

By Aloysius Laukai

The BANK OF SOUTH PACIFIC Buka Branch was bombarded with a number of questions from participants of the Bougainville Women in Business workshop in Buka this afternoon.

The BSP’s presentations ranged from general Banking to Savings and Credit facilities that the Bank is providing to its customers and with other products ready to be introduced soon.

The interesting Bank product which the women were interested in was the mobile banking using the Mobile Phone network and including the WANTOK Project using only the Mobile Phone and transferring cash from accounts to different accounts.

One woman participant Told New Dawn FM that some of these latest products are confusing and could make many people transferring funds to wrong accounts.

She said that like the Mobile phone to phone direct top up if funds go into a wrong number it is hard to reverse.

10.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

POVERTY KILLING BOUGAINVILLE SAY REVEREND MIRIAM AUTHER

BY Aloysius Laukai

Poverty on Bougainville is slowly entering every home on Bougainville and something must be done quickly to alleviate this problem.

This was the message from REVEREND MIRIAM AUTHER the wife of United Church Bishop, TIM AUTHER at the opening of the Women in Business workshop in Buka yesterday.

She said that this was evident everywhere when people are asking for money from uncles for school fees, when young girls are marrying elder men and prostitution is also growing.

Reverend Miriam Auther said this is caused by the people being lazy and just want to sit around and do nothing all day long.

She said that this also leads to poor family planning by married couples at home.

Reverend Miriam Auther said that this can be reversed if the people can decide to work for their living and instead of begging which is not a Bougainville Custom.

10.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Micro banks for alleviating Poverty

By Aloysius Laukai

The Manager of the Buka Branch of the Nationwide Micro Bank, SIMON SANI says that Micro banks were established to help alleviate poverty in developing countries.

BSP Micro Bank in Arawa

He made these remarks during the Nationwide Micro Bank’s presentation at the Bougainville Women in Business Association workshop yesterday.

MR. SANI who grew up in Central Bougainville during the BCL days says poverty is slowly creeping into Bougainville and the Bougainville Branch of the Nationwide Micro Bank are already on the ground in Buka to assist people who want to utilize the Bank’s services.

He said that the Nationwide Micro Bank has credit facilities that can be accessed by persons who can meet the terms and conditions of the Banks.

Meanwhile the ABG Minister for Commerce and Trade, WILFRED KOMBA yesterday announced that his division would be putting some money into the National Development Bank to guarantee the Businesses who would like to take some loans from the Banks.

09.05.2013

Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

Rio-Tinto mine would make Bougainville economically self-reliant: Managing Director

The Rio Tinto-owned copper mine on Papua New Guinea's island of Bougainville has the potential to make Bougainville economically self-reliant, according to the Managing Director of the Rio subsidiary which plans to redevelop it.

The issue of self-reliance is crucial as Bougainville is due to hold a referendum on independence from PNG between 2015 and 2020, but can only become an independent nation if it has the financial resources to survive on its own.

Presenter: Jemima Garrett

Speaker: Peter Taylor, Chairman and Managing director of Rio Tinto, subsidiary Bougainville Copper

  LISTEN HERE !  

TAYLOR: As far as Bougainville is concerned it would make an enormous difference because from what I have seen they only generate internally, about 5% of their budget at the moment. This has the potential to substantially meet the budget requirements of Bougainville. In the scheme of things for Papua New Guinea it is important there is no doubt about it. It will be in terms of copper and gold production, well certainly in terms of copper it will be the biggest mine in PNG. In terms of gold production it will be second only to Lihir I imagine. There may be mines in the future producing more gold and copper but at this stage it would sit as number two or perhaps even number one in terms of value to PNG

GARRETT: Rio has had its fingers burnt in Mongolia and it is divesting itself of a number of assets. Does it have the appetite for a risky project of this sort?

TAYLOR: Well, I am the Chief Executive of Bougainville Copper and Rio Tinto is but one shareholder, mind you an important shareholder having 54 per cent of the equity in the company. Rio Tinto has so far indicated its interest in continuing as the major shareholder. It supports Bougainville Copper's vision which is to re-open the mine but it has one very important caveat, which Bougainville Copper shares I might add which is that it needs the support of the Bougainville government, the national government, the landowners and the people of Bougainville generally. It has said it will not support re-opening the mine without all of those parties being on board.

GARRETT: So how is progress going in terms of the support of the landowners?

TAYLOR:The situation for the re-opening of the mine continues to improve. It is a slow process but we expect that. My attitude has been and continues to be I would rather take my time and get it right, than rush and get it wrong. I think what is happening on Bougainville is in line with my expectations. The support for the mine re-opening continues to grow and the support for Bougainville Copper as the operator continues to grow.

GARRETT: There is still opposition in Bougainville and it is quite loud and strident opposition - what makes you think you can get over that and that there won't be a situation which unravels into bloodshed again?

TAYLOR:Well, I have never been involved in any resource project that hasn't had somebody who doesn't like it. I mean that is just life. It doesn't matter what it is you want to build, even if it is a road. You will get somebody who doesn't want it to be there because it is near their place or whatever. But look, I know there is some opposition and I think that is healthy. I would be a bit concerned if everybody was all of a sudden in favour. I would say what has changed to make that happen. We have to manage that. We have to be inclusive in terms of the parties that we deal with and I think that once the benefits, as opposed to what some of the protesters might think are the negatives, are explained and that is balanced out for the welfare of Bougainville and its people generally, I think most people will come on board.

GARRETT: You were on Bougainville before the mine closed. What have you learnt personally about from what the people of Bougainville have gone through since that time?

TAYLOR:You are right, I lived on Bougainville working in the mine in the mid-80s and to me it was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my career in the mining industry. I made many friends. I have still got many of those Bougainville friends. It was a tragedy of course for Bougainville and its people and I think and what is really tragic about it is I think it was preventable. In many respects it took so many small individual events to co-incide for the situation to develop the way it did. That is the real tragedy of it, it was a preventable event.

GARRETT: What is Bougainville Copper going to do to make amends for the past?

TAYLOR: I think it is really a question of looking at what it was about the way the mine opened in the first place and how we avoid the things that were done then that led to this discontent and the major one I think is actually including the local people in the planning, in having equity in the project itself, having a more equitable share of the revenue from the mine and being direct recipients of the infrastructure, for example educational opportunities, health opportunities and so on, that the mine can produce.

GARRETT: So how will you go about doing it differently, this time?

TAYLOR: What I have said to the Bougainville government and the landowners is I want them to set the agenda. I want them to tell me what it is that they want. So they will bring their agenda to the negotiating table and obviously we may have to compromise. I mean the mine itself its not going to be so profitable that it will support every wish of every party that will come to the table and indeed the investors expect a return on their money as well. But the different approach is going to be ..it won't be driven as it was in the first place by an Administration from Australia. It will be from day one negotiations between the people on the ground, the landowners in the mine site, the government of Bougainville and the other population of Bougainville.

GARRETT: Bougainville has a referendum on independence coming up between 2015 and 2020. What issues does that raise for Bougainville Copper?

TAYLOR: It is a very important issue for Bougainville Copper and, of course, it is a very important issue for both Bougainville and PNG generally. For us, we need certainty in terms of what the government is that you are dealing with, what their legislation is, what the mining regime is, what the tax regime is and quite clearly if Bougainville was independent it would present a different situation in terms of raising finance internationally than if it was part of Papua New Guinea because Papua New Guinea has a long and successful record as a mining destination and the mines here have worked very well but the international community, finance community, won't know because there is no experience with Bougainville as an independent country.

GARRETT: Under the Bougainville Peace Agreement the PNG government must satisfy itself that Bougainville can economically sustain itself before it agrees to independence. Does that give Bougainville Copper the whip hand in negotiations?

TAYLOR: I don't think it does. I mean we as a commercial enterprise won't be getting involved in politics. What we are looking at is the viability of the mine. We are looking at the consents that we need from the parties who we want to get the consents. The whole question of what economic viability is for the purposes of that agreement is really a matter for both governments.

09.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Adviser: Respect peace agreement 

By ROMULUS MASIU

BOUGAINVILLEANS have been challenged to respect their Bougainville Peace Agreement.

“Only you Bougainvilleans will spoil the Peace Agreement, no one else. This Bougainville is your Bougainville, not for others,” this ‘straight on the face’ message came from the Autonomous Bougainville Government advisor to weapons disposal Clyde Parris.

Mr Parris says weapons disposal program is an example of the successful implementation of the Peace Agreement in the region which he is proud of and he doesn’t want to see the program wasted.

The African national further urged the Local Level Government and Council of Elders throughout Bougainville to carry out peace process and implement the peace process in their COEs as they are the very important and key leaders at the village level where most of the region’s population resides.

He says as village leaders, they play an important role in their communities and can best communicate with people to promote the peace process involving cultural understanding and the Christian principles to sort out disputes or problems so as to avoid disturbing the peace process.

“This Bougainville is your Bougainville and not for others therefore weapons disposal is and has been part of the successful peace building in the region also.”

Mr Parris urges all leaders especially the village leaders (COEs) to take the leading role and vigorously participate in the peace process because ‘you are in charge of the community.’

“Village leaders, you have responsibilities to your people and you are accountable and held responsible to the people and hierarchy leaders especially those in the government of ABG.”

Mr Parris stresses that lack of funding or money is not a good excuse saying “when we ask for money, we cry for money but in actual fact, most often, we lack the real objective and goal of that money we ask for”.

“This is why I am saying only you Bougainvilleans will spoil your excellent and hard-earned Bougainville Peace Agreement if you keep on diverting the money from implementing successful peace oriented programs to some self-interest agendas.

Mr Parris urges the ABG and its leaders to take the next upper steps in the coming three years to tackle the referendum adding that by 2015, Bougainville must be ready for the referendum ready and show PNG and the world that they are truly ready for Independence.

09.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Officers learn court skills

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

DISTRICT Welfare Officers and Community Development Officers based in the thirteen districts in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville are now equipped with skills on how to properly draft court documents for an Interim Protection Order (IPO) after attending a one week workshop in Buka last week.

The staging of this workshop is an initiative of the Bougainville Division of Community Development to educate its welfare officers with the knowledge on how to draft the right court documents for IPOs so these officers can attend to their clients back in their districts. 

This workshop was facilitated by Buka District Court clerk Ruth Nangoi and Senior Constable Florence Nohu and First Constable Cecilia Takela from the Bougainville Police Service.

Topics that were covered during the week-long workshop included domestic violence against women, IPO, procedures on drafting of summons for child maintenance with reference to Child Welfare Act, Deserted Wives and Children’s Act and Lukautim Pikinini Act 2009 and District Court Procedures on Customary Adoption and Statutory Adoption.

Speaking during the closing ceremony last Friday, acting chief executive officer of the Bougainville Community Development Division Mana Kakarouts commended those who had attended the one week workshop.

Mrs Kakarouts than challenged the participants to use the knowledge and skills gained, saying “learning is one thing and implementing is another thing”.

Facilitators’ representative Florence Nohu commended the participants for their active involvement during the duration of the workshop, saying the facilitators had also learned many new things from the participants.

She also thanked the Community Development division for the initiative to update its officers on how to properly draft an IPO.

Ms Nohu than challenged the participants to utilise what they had learned back in their respective districts.

Participants’ representative Gerald Takusi thanked the facilitators for their “simple” presentations, saying their presentations were much simpler than the previous course they had earlier attended. 

Mr Takusi than encouraged the participants to utilise what they had learned saying they are the ones that will bring changes back in their districts. 

The workshop which was funded by Australian aid agency, AusAID through its Law and Justice Sector Program was officially closed by AusAID Buka-based officer Jeffery Kop.

09.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Clown of Bougainville

Words and Picture: WINTERFORD TOREAS

09.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Torokina LOs want ABG to release mobilisation funds

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE landowners of the multi-million kina oil palm project in the Torokina district of South Bougainville are calling on the Autonomous Bougainville Government to immediately release funding for the mobilization exercise.

According to leaders of the clans that had given their land to accommodate this project, they urgently needed these funds to mobilize their clan members, create awareness about the importance of this project and prepare them so they would be able to appreciate and look after the Oil Palm project once it kicks-off. 

While airing their frustration to the Post-Courier recently, clan leaders’ spokesman, chief Michael Piriri said they want the ABG to immediately assist them with mobilisation funds to enable the leaders to create more in-depth awareness within their clans regarding the importance of the project. Chief Piriri said the clan leaders and their clan members have been waiting patiently for the ABG to finance their mobilisation cost but to no avail. 

“Why do you (ABG) say that you are supporting this project, as one of the impact project’s for the region and not releasing funding for this project? How do you expect the consultant company to go to Torokina themselves when the people are not organised?” Chief Piriri asked.

Chief Piriri said they had already met with the ABG Finance Minister Albert Punghau to air their concern, but the response they got was not favourable. He said Mr Punghau had told them that they were not organised, therefore, the ABG was not going to release any funding towards their mobilisation cause.

However, chief Piriri who was backed by another chief from Torokina, Peter Tsuremai later brushed aside Mr Punghau’s comments saying they are already organised and only waiting for the government’s financial assistance towards their mobilisation costs. 

Both leaders said the people of Torokina are supporting this project to continue and will not do anything that will prevent it from eventuating.

They added that the Torokina people are rallying their support behind this project because they see that since their district is the least developed in Bougainville, the successful implementation of this project will lead to tangible developments finally taking place there. 

In the meantime, they say their only concern is that they want the government to release the mobilisation funds. The eight clans from the area are are giving their land for the use of Oil Palm project. The Torokina people have already given 49,000 hectors of their land towards this project and are willing to give more depending on the successful outcome of this project.

The Torokina Oil Palm Project is one of the high impact projects that have been identified by the ABG to help raise the region’s revenue. 

Attempts by the Post-Courier to contact ABG Finance Minister Albert Punghau yesterday was unsuccessful.

09.05.2013

Source: PNG Attitude

Mining big part of Bougainville economy

says ex-president

by BEN JACKSON

FORMER BOUGAINVILLE PRESIDENT, James Tanis, has said that the reopening of the Panguna copper and gold mine is important to Bougainville’s economic independence.

“The Panguna mine is an important part in enabling Bougainville to meet one of its conditions of the peace agreement,” said Mr Tanis, who was president from 2009 to 2010.

“That is, on meeting financial self-reliance to demonstrate that Bougainville can survive as a nation.”

Mr Tanis, also a former guerrilla commander in the Bougainville Revolutionary Army and a key player in the 2001 peace agreement, said mining was already occurring on Bougainville without providing benefits to most of the people.

“I have come to notice that there is already mining on Bougainville,” he said.

“When the Panguna mine shut there are other mining activities happening on Bougainville.

“After the conflict people now know the value of the stone under the ground, so I even see small activities, panning tailings and even small interest groups doing bits and pieces.

“It has made me realise mining is an industry that will be an important part of the Bougainville economy.”

There are estimates that there around 1,000 alluvial miners in the Panguna area alone. Many of these people are not landowners and it is unlikely that any are paying tax.

“My observation in the last few years has been that there is a lot of money going in and out of Bougainville,” Mr Tanis continued.

“With scrap metal, with alluvial mining, with trade stories and even with vehicles - and the administration is not collecting taxes.”

While Mr Tanis sees the reopening of Panguna as crucial for financial independence, he believes the path towards a sovereign Bougainville must be separately managed.

“I am in favour of re-opening Panguna,” Mr Tanis said, “but again I come to the question of the process.”

“The process must be transparent, the process must take its time and all the stakeholders must be consulted and the people must be given a chance to debate.

“Bougainville independence should not be conditional on the opening of the mine.

“I hold the personal view that independence and the Panguna mine should not be mixed…. that the political process should follow its own path and the process in Panguna should follow its own path.”

Discussions on the future of mining on Bougainville have been held over the last few weeks prior to the renegotiation of the Bougainville Copper Agreement.

09.05.2013

Source: PNG Attitude

Graduates aim to improve Bougainville health services

by ISHMAEL PALIPAL

POST CONFLICT BOUGAINVILLE NEEDS more workers to improve health services for a growing population. Health services on the island were shattered during the 10-year civil war and are currently in a desperate need.

A trio of graduating Bougainville female students told me: “We are looking forward to helping to develop our region by putting our skills in improving our health services back in Bougainville.”

The trio along with other Bougainvillean students graduated this year in different health fields with the aim to help develop the health service infrastructure in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Elaine Aquila (middle) is already working with World Vision in Arawa, Central Bougainville whilst the other two, Hendrila Vilosi (left) and Gail Sarei (right), are still in Madang working at Modilon General Hospital.

Miss Aquila, who is from Haku, North Bougainville, graduated with a Bachelor in Rural Health Management, has a goal to help the people of Bougainville through World Vision.

“I’m really happy to work here because finally, after long years of study and sleepless nights, I am helping my people at the same time benefiting from my previous efforts. However, it is still not the end yet,” said Miss Aquila.

Miss Vilosi, from Tinputz in North Bougainville, whose father is a Resident Medical Officer at Buka General Hospital, said, “We are still working in Modilon to gain some hands-on experience.”

She recently graduated with the Bachelor in Physiotherapy.

“At the moment, Buka General Hospital has no equipment for physiotherapy,” Miss Vilosi said, “therefore I am still stuck in Madang”. She will move to Buka General Hospital as soon as the equipment is in place.

Gail Sarei added that housing is a problem in Buka.

Miss Sarei, from Halia on Buka Island, also graduated with a Bachelor in Physiotherapy and is working in Modilon General Hospital. She said her intention is to go back and work in Buka to improve the region’s health services but since there is lack of equipment and residential facilities she is helping out in Madang.

The young women urged the government of Bougainville to improve the health service of the region so they can help their people. 

There are many other Bougainvillean health graduate students working around PNG with the same goal and vision but, since there are no good facilities and residences available in the region, they are still working outside.

The Bougainville Government must set a good foundation so that it can attract back these human resources working around the country.

08.05.2013

Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

PNG uni students ready to make a big contribution to Bougainville debate

As moves to begin negotiations over re-opening the Rio Tinto owned Bougainville copper mine pick up pace Papua New Guinea is beginning to look ahead at what that could mean.

The mine was closed more than 20 years ago after landowner unhappiness with its management unravelled into a bloody civil war.

The Bougainville Peace Agreement brought the conflict to an end and made provision for a referendum on independence sometime between 2015 and 2020.

In PNG political debate among young people is alive and well.

Jemima Garrett caught up with some students at the University of Papua New Guinea to find out how they feel about Bougainville's future.

Presenter: Jemima Garrett

Speakers:

Nou Vada, Law student and Vice President of the UPNG Student Representative Council.

Sarah Griffin, Chemistry and Environmental Science student, UPNG

Claire Asi, Political Science and Public Policy Management student, UPNG

  LISTEN HERE !  

GARRETT: The Bougainville crisis left deep scars on those involved. It is the Pacific's only major war since PNG independence and it reduced what had been its most developed province into a living nightmare.

More than 10,000 people died.

The war divided the community and the nation and brought down the government of Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan, after he hired mercenaries to put down the rebellion.

Bougainville became a lesson in how not to manage a world scale mining project.

Nou Vada, Vice President of the University of PNG Student Representative Council was a small boy when these events took place.

VADA: For us as young people, we are all barely out of our teens, and for us the Bougainville crisis seems a very distant idea.

GARRETT: Distant but not forgotten.

VADA: We know about it through songs and through essays that we have read. We really were not impacted by the crisis when it happened, not in the way our parents were because they lived through the crisis. We have to remind ourselves as people who will one day dictate what happens to this country, economically, socially, in government or in private sector, that the Bougainville crisis represents something that needs to be avoided at all costs.

GARRETT: At the time it closed the Bougainville copper mine was the PNG government's biggest single source of government revenue.

Chemistry student, Sarah Griffin, is aware of the complexity of a decision to re-open the mine and believes it should lie with Bougainvilleans.

GRIFFIN: . As an environmental scientist, from that point of view it would be destructive but given the grounds that they do have to maintain themselves I wouldn't have a say in that it would be a lot more personal.

GARRETT: The Panguna copper mine is seen by many Bougainvilleans as the economic lifeline that will give them the opportunity to win independence.

Nou Vada can see the challenges that lie ahead.

VADA: If PNG is serious about giving the independence then we have to make sure that Bougainville, when it does get its independence, that it can sustain the independence because a failed state will mean a bad thing for everyone. At the same time, we cannot hold them against their will. If the people of Bougainville feel they have to be their own state, then I think Papua New Guinea is obliged to, must be obliged to let them go about their own political self-determination but again premature allowance of this has its own risks as well. A failed state, the onus, the responsibility of going back and fixing any failed state, if there is a failed state, and God forbid such an event should happen, would go back to PNG and that is our concern, my concern.

GARRETT: Political Science student, Clair Asi, agrees Bougainville is a sensitive subject, with implications for the whole nation.

ASI: We have a history together as one country so whether we experience the Bougainville crisis or not, they are a part of us and I believe that that is important in itself.

GARRETT: Would it worry you if Bougainville did vote for independence?

ASI: I think the worry would be that it would create an avenue for other provinces to want to get their succession and independence as well.

GARRETT: As a result of the Bougainville Peace agreement the PNG government is already handing over many powers to the Autonomous Government of Bougainville.

President John Momis is keen to give more say to landowners and has announced his new mining legislation will allow them to veto mineral exploration on their land.

Law student, Nou Vada, supports devolution but worries about the capacity of the Bougainville government to implement its plans.

VADA: You can have policies that are outlined so gracefully and legislation so detailed. How do you implement them? How do you get the human co-ordinators on the ground to organise where each village has its own language, each village has its own customary land tenure systems, its own political hieratical systems? How do you get all of them to agree on a mode where this option can be used? Often, as is the case in PNG, we have legislation, perfect example being the Environment Act, legislation that would seem to support national interests, seem to support landowner interests but in reality when it is enforced, landowners often have very little say in what happens. That is not just a problem for political scientists and lawyers. It is a problem for people who study culture and people who study societies.

GARRETT: In the months and years ahead debate on Bougainville's future will enter a new phase. If these students at UPNG are anything to go by it is clear Papua New Guinea's young generation is ready to make a constructive contribution.

08.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Adviser: Respect peace 

By ROMULUS MASIU

 BOUGAINVILLEANS have been urged to respect the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

“Only you Bougainvilleans will spoil the Peace Agreement, no one else. This Bougainville is your Bougainville, not for others,” this ‘straight on the face’ message came from the Autonomous Bougainville Government adviser to weapons disposal Clyde Parris.

 Mr Parris said the weapons disposal program is an example of the successful implementation of the Peace Agreement in the region which he is proud of and he doesn’t want to see the program wasted.

 The African national further urged the Local Level Government and Council of Elders throughout Bougainville to carry out the peace process and implement the peace process in their COEs as they are very important and key leaders at the village level where most of the region’s population resides.

 He said as village leaders, they play an important role in their communities and can best communicate with people to promote the peace process, which involves cultural understanding and Christian principles that would sort out disputes or problems so as not to disturb the peace process.

“This Bougainville is your Bougainville and not for others. Therefore weapons disposal is and has been part of the successful peace building in the region also,” he said.

 Mr Parris urged all leaders, especially the village leaders (COEs) to take the leading role and vigorously participate in the peace process because ‘you are in charge of the community.’

 “Village leaders, you have responsibilities to your people and you are accountable and held responsible to the people and hierarchy leaders, especially those in the government of ABG,” Mr Parris said.

 He also stressed that lack of funding or money is not a good excuse because we ask for money and we cry for money but in actual fact, often, we lack the real objective and goal of that money we ask for.

“This is why I am saying only you Bougainvilleans will spoil your excellent and hard-earned Bougainville Peace Agreement if you keep on diverting the money supposed to implement successful peace oriented programs into some self-interest agenda.

 Mr Parris urged the ABG and its leaders must now take the next upper steps in the coming three years to tackle the referendum, adding that by 2015, Bougainville must be ready for referendum and show PNG and the world that Bougainville is truly ready for Independence.

08.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Former Bougainville MP Tulo dies

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE people of Bougainville are mourning the death of one of their former political leaders who passed away early this week.

The late Sam Tulo passed away on Monday morning at his Luli village in the Lemanmanu area of Haku constituency in Buka.

He has been battling with diabetes for a couple of years before succumbing to the illness early on Monday.

The late leader was a former two-term national MP who represented the people of North Bougainville from 1982-1992.

During his term in Parliament, he was appointed as the Minister for Education.

Before his election as the North Bougainville MP, the late Mr Tulo worked as a community school teacher before slowly making his way up to becoming a school inspector. 

He also served as the Bougainville Administrator during the restoration period from 1991 to about 1994. 

During his term as the administrator, he played a pivotal role in the process that led to the return of peace and normalcy in Buka and other parts of Bougainville.

Mr Tulo also served as the chairman of the PNG Cocoa Board. Late Sam Tulo was also appointed as the chairman of the Bougainville Restoration and Development Authority (BRADA) before resigning to contest the Haku constituency seat in the first Bougainville House of Representatives election in 2005. Many Bougainvilleans are now calling on the national government to assist with late Sam Tulo’s funeral arrangements in recognition of his contribution during the peace restoration period. The late Sam Tulo is survived by his wife and five children.

07.05.2013

Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

Former President in-depth on Bougainville's future

Papua New Guinea's island of Bougainville is due to hold a referendum on independence some time between 2015 and 2020.

The referendum is one of the key provisions of the 12-year-old Peace Agreement which brought an end to a decade-long civil war.

The conflict left more than 10,000 people dead, destroyed much of Bougainville's infrastructure and closed schools, hospitals and the Rio Tinto-owned Panguna copper mine.

Former Bougainville President, James Tanis, fought with the separatist Bougainville Revolutionary Army and played a key role in the peace process.

He explained to Jemima Garrett why he is still in favour of independence.

  LISTEN HERE !    

TANIS: I believe in independence because independence is not something that started with the Bougainville conflict. It has a long history, Our forefathers struggled for Bougainville Independence as early as the 1960s. We are different. We are ethnically part of the Solomon Islands but I am not a racist but independence is always something that our society believed we can express ourselves in the form of a modern state.

GARRETT: Why will it be better than what you have got now?

TANIS: I still believe independence will be even better than autonomy because then we have control over everything.

GARRETT: How would you like to see the process towards independence unfold?

TANIS: As a believer in independence I also worry about the process and I think the process should continue to move. Different parties under the Peace Agreement have different obligations. We have Bougainville obligations on reconciliation, weapons disposal and unity on Bougainville and the national government has obligations to make sure Bougainville, there is a draw down of powers and functions as agreed under the peace agreement so I believe in a process where it should be moving. Different parties keep their commitments made under the Peace Agreement and the process must be transparent. People must be informed as to what is happening and if there is a certain obstacle they should know what that is, so that everybody should be empowered ready to resolve whatever the problem is. In fact, that is the way we managed the early part of the peace agreement. The early part of the Peace Agreement involved a lot of awareness raising a lot of consensus, a lot of consultations between different groups. Let me say this. At the start of the peace process we had more factions that what we have now but at least the peace process was moving very fast, much faster than what I see now.

GARRETT: What role does the re-opening of the Panguna copper mine have in independence?

TANIS: The opening of the Panguna copper mine is an important part in enabling Bougainville to meet one of its conditions of the Peace Agreement before the conduct of the referendum. That is on meeting financial self-reliance to demonstrate that Bougainville can survive as a nation. But on the other hand I hold the personal view also, that independence and Panguna mine should not be mixed. That the political process should follow its own path and the process in Panguna should follow its own path. If you look back into the roots of the Bougainville conflict I see 2 agendas; the first agenda is the Panguna mine, the second agenda, the independence agenda. And I always held the view that in terms of resolving the Bougainville conflict the political agenda has a peace agreement and it sets up a time frame and a road map on the process to independence and the second agenda is Panguna and I think we should do a little bit much more work to resolve the issue.

GARRETT: What other options are there in Bougainville for economic self-reliance other than the Panguna copper mine?

TANIS: We have plantations. If we take for example, where Bougainville was before the conflict. We have to start where we were, meaning we had plantations, smaller holder cocoa gardens and Bougainville is a small island. I think we have enough money. Even without opening Panguna we can start at an advantage position because we are a small island, we have a lot of money. My observation in the last few years has been that there is a lot of money going in and out of Bougainville, with scrap metal, with alluvial mining, with trade stories and even with vehicles, and the administration is not collecting taxes. So even without the mine there is a lot already but the question of the Panguna mine is a question that is unavoidable. Bougainville must resolve it and we must decide on the future of the Panguna mine.

GARRETT: Could Bougainville get independence without the Panguna mine re-opening?

TANIS: That is what I am saying. Bougainville independence should not be conditioned on the opening of the Panguna mine but at the same time the trick is this: the opening of the Panguna mine will obviously contribute to the economic self-reliance of Bougainville that will be very important to the future independent state of Bougainville, if Bougainville choses to be independent.

GARRETT: Bougainville Copper says the re-opening of the mine will take six years. How can you keep those 2 processes, the process towards independence and the process towards re-opening the mine separate, if they are going to be taking place at the same time?

TANIS: If I may turn this the other way around and tell you this. The question of Panguna mine will not go away, whether Bougainville becomes independent or Bougainville choses to remain part of PNG. Panguna mine is a decision that must be made regardless of which ever way the vote goes. So we have to be careful on how we put relationships on the political future of Bougainville and how we condition it to Panguna.The two processes are important; Panguna mine issue must be resolved and independence issue must be resolved.

GARRETT: You are in favour of re-opening the Panguna mine why?

TANIS: I am in favour of opening Panguna mine and I come from a guerrilla army that fought against the Panguna mine but I have come to notice that there is already mining on Bougainville. While the Panguna mine is shut there are other mining activities happening on Bougainville. Panguna mine was opened in the early days when Bougainvilleans did not know much about the value of the yellow stone and all they knew in those days was cocoa and there was not much alluvial mining. After the conflict people now know the value of the stone under the ground. So I see even small activities, panning along the tailings and even small interests groups doing bits and pieces here and there on Bougainville. It has made me realise that mining is an industry that will be an important part of the Bougainville economy so yes, I am in favour of re-opening Panguna but again I come to the question of the process, the process must be transparent, the process must take its time and all the stakeholders must be consulted and the people must be given a chance to debate it properly instead of rushing it because if we rush it we might risk problems along the way.

07.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville people urged to unite

 A former employee and one-time permanent fleet trucking contractor to the Bougainville Copper Mine has urged the people of Bougainville to unite in order for them to progress.

 Kandaso Napi says Bougainvilleans needed to come together as one voice and stand united to fight for more physical development which in turn would bring better social and economical benefits for them instead of living in the past and endeavouring to perpetuate their parochial interests to suit a minority whose vain attempts to achieve their dreams of yesteryears only prolongs the sufferings of the Bougainville people. 

 Mr Napi, who has a longstanding relationship with the people of Bougainville through his association with the Panguna landowners and others, and one who still concerns himself with the ongoing situation on the ground, has called on those splinter groups and individuals who are hell-bend on pursuing their goals without dialogue and a collective approach for peace and normalcy, to realise the real world of politics, law and commerce. 

 He said those people should instead humble themselves and learn from history as well as from both national and international events of the recent past to try to negotiate with all affected parties with a view to achieving amicable solutions that would bring lasting peace and very importantly, create a win-win situation for all stakeholders.

 Mr Napi said now that BCL had committed itself to reopening the abandoned Panguna mine and opted for negotiations, the immediate landowners and mine affected communities, former combatants, politicians including the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the four national parliamentarians and all other suffering Bougainvillians must put their differences aside and whole-heartedly welcome this positive move by the mining company so that they may put forward their demands, views, ideas and expectations of a prosperous Bougainville. “So many landowners and resource-owning tribal leaders have died in many parts of PNG without realising their dreams so when the opportunity presents itself, you must grasp it with open arms and build on it to derive maximum benefits for everyone and strive to arrive at that destination of your choice,’’ he said.

 Mr Napi added that BCL or Rio Tinto for that matter, was a mere participant in the resources extraction industry under those existing mining and environmental laws, policies and guidelines at that time and therefore must not be squarely blamed for all the problems associated with the mine. He stressed that to this day, many former employees and Bougainvillians agree that BCL’s mining operations set the benchmark for all other future mining activities in this country. 

 This self-made businessman and ardent nationalist who started off from humble beginnings on the island of Bougainville, went onto remind the people of the region that they are still a part of PNG and that they will continue to do so as long as they freely choose to remain under a united and democratic PNG during their planned plebiscite of 2015. 

 Mr Napi added that the general populace of Bougainville must be made aware of the future effects of climate change and population growth on the main island and the surrounding atolls so that they may question themselves if an independent island nation with a tiny land mass would be able to accommodate its people and sustain itself if it happens to break away from PNG. He also questioned if an independent Bougainville would have the capacity to absorb many of the Bougainvillian professionals working in other parts of PNG in both the public and private sectors because by then they would be regarded as foreigners and only God knows what would happen to these people. 

 This man, who considers himself a Bougainvillian at heart, wants critics and others to know that he is where is now because of Bougainville and its people and he still has high respect and hope for the people of the island. 

07.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Ms English with her mostly women committed volunteer trainers after  their week-long workshop at Section 17 in Arawa Town.  Picture: ROMULUS MASIU.

Ms English with mission

By ROMULUS MASIU

Ms English with her mostly women committed volunteer trainers after 

 their week-long workshop at Section 17 in Arawa Town. 

 Picture: ROMULUS MASIU.

 EARLY Childhood Learning Program (ECLP) has picked up momentum in the Bougainville’s Arawa town and parts of Buin in South Bougainville.

 And the driving force behind this vital program is no other than Agnes English, a very tough and courageous woman.

 She is spearheading the campaign for ECLP with authorisation and backing of the Catholic Diocese of Bougainville and the government. 

 With years of experiences under her belt having taught ECLP in the notorious settlements of Port Moresby.

 Ms English now takes her experience in this field to the streets of Arawa and the neighboring villages including outback Wisai Council of Elders in the Buin District of South Bougainville. 

 The government has approved ECLP since Dame Carol Kidu was the Minister for Community Development in the National Parliament.

 At the moment the government through the education department is building the curriculum of this program. ECLP specialises in the teaching of three to five years old children.

 In Bougainville, the Archdiocese of Catholic Church head Bishop Bernard Unabali initiated the program organizing 55 trainees to partake at this course at Tsiroge, North Bougainville. Ms English was one of them.

 According to scientists, studies have shown and proven that, children begin their learning process when they are still in their mother’s womb; they record and adapt or soak what is happening within their environment. Example, when their parents fight, they tend to be traumatised and feel frighten or insecure or grow up to be aggressive when older.

 Ms English believes that the best way to address the problems and challenges the Bougainville Crisis has left behind is through this ECLP, which will start a new chapter for Bougainville with this new generation with a new mentality and normal way of doing things.

 She said the government at the moment is spending money on big people especially youths with the intention to change or rehabilitate them which is the opposite way around.

“To change the mindset of human beings especially the adults is a most difficult thing to do in the world. The easy way is to start with the kids, three to five-year-olds, who are keen early learners.”

Last week, Ms English organised a weeklong ECLP workshop which was conducted under a house, a make-shift classroom, at Section 17. A handful of lady trainees and couple of like-minded guys came to attend. 

 All these trainees are volunteers in their little back-yard ECLP back at their homes.

 Ms English appealed to the trainers to elect good board members in their schools who are like-minded and will help and support the program.

“Before we extend our hands out to ask for help, we must first of all help ourselves,” Ms English told the participants.

 She encouraged the participants to work hard and not to give up because of the fact that they are volunteers and not on the payroll. 

 Instead Ms English has this good news for them.

“Those trainees who are Grade 10 school leavers will now complete their studies through Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) with financial help coming from a NGO in Bougainville.To date ECLP is run by some retired trained teachers along with their volunteers – all not on the payroll.

 ECLP has schools at Arawa’s Section 17, 15 and 13. Interests are high and there are plans to establish in all sections in town. 

 Other ECLP locations are Wisai, Kerei and plans to venture to Panguna and Siwai because of high interests from communities in these areas.

 Mrs Gabriella Pararo, a former primary school teacher in the Wisai area told the closing that Wisai ECLP have four volunteers with two trained teachers providing the service to 19 3 to 5-year-old kids. 

 She thanked Wisai Centre for Learning for giving them a little space under their administration building to teach the kids. 

 Mrs Lance Itta, a former high school teacher is now operating the ECLP under her inlaws house at Section 15. She thanked Mr and Mrs Patrick Itta for the understanding, having seeing the importance of ECLP and freely and willingly granting the space downstairs for her to teach her 13 kids.

07.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

ABG focused on providing electricity  

By ROMULUS MASIU

 This project is jointly funded by the ABG and PNG Power Ltd. 

 Additional funds are being sought through the National Government Member for Central Bougainville, Jimmy Miringtoro, towards the Kieta to Toniva phase of the project as well as rural communities such as Keuru, Angani, Taveromau, Kivirai and Pokpok Island.

 Other communities outside Arawa Town, including Pavaire, Siae, Arawa Village, Rorovana and others are also being considered for similar services, however, as to when this could become a reality depends on the availability of funds. 

 The Bougainville Administration is making every effort to secure the necessary funds and or technical assistance through PNG Power Ltd towards this course.

 The Autonomous Bougainville Government is placing more emphasis on providing electricity services to people in rural communities to help improve their living standards. 

 Therefore, the Bougainville Administration, under the leadership of Chief Administrator Laurence Disin, has drawn up a medium term energy development plan based on the government’s focus. 

 And whilst it may take some time before people in rural communities could have access to such services, the Bougainville Administration is confident that with continous support through funding from the ABG and technical support from PNG Power Ltd, the government’s expectations could be achieved overtime.

Pictured: PNG Power Ltd linesmen hard at work at Keuru, just beneath the former Arco Motors Hill overlooking Arawa Town.  Picture: ROMULUS MASIU.

07.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Commissioned officers arrive in Bougainville  

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

 BOUGAINVILLE now has more commissioned police officers who will be responsible for heading senior sections of the Bougainville Police Service (BPS).

 This follows the recent arrival of four new commissioned police officers in the region last week.

 These new police inspectors including Spencer Aili, Januarius Vosivai, William Andrew and Kingsley Lua, were part of the recently-promoted police officers who passed out of the Bomana Police Training College after undergoing two years police cadet trainings there. 

 Out of the four, Inspector Spencer Aili has been appointed as the new police commander for North Bougainville, replacing Senior Insp Cletus Tsien who is now the Director Community Policing. 

 Insp Januarius Vosivai is now the new commander for Central Bougainville, replacing Chief Inspector Huitona Tohua who resigned about two months ago, while Insp William Andrew takes over as the new police commander for South Bougainville.

 Former South Bougainville police commander Superintendent Paul Kamuai has been recalled to BPS headquarters in Buka and assumes the position of BPS deputy police commander responsible for police operations. 

 Inspector Kingsley Lua has been appointed as the officer in-charge of the BPS discipline section.

 Insp Lua will be responsible for conducting investigations into the bad conducts done by BPS members.

 This discipline section has been recently established and will be responsible for thoroughly monitoring the conducts of each policeman and woman.

 This section will also take in and investigate complaints raised by the public against the police. 

 The arrival of these senior officers now brings the number of BPS’ commissioned officers to seven.

07.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville 

MOMIS APPEALS FOR REDEMPTION

By Aloysius Laukai

ABG President, DR. MOMIS yesterday challenged the governments of Australia and PNG and the people of Bougainville and PNG to reconcile with each other so that would set the stage for the

renegotiation of the Bougainville Copper Agreement to commence as soon as

possible. He made these remarks at the Opening of the Joint Coordination Committee’s second meeting in Buka. He said that the committee was tasked to

prepare work on the review of the Bougainville Copper Agreement . DR. MOMIS said that all stakeholders need to redeem themselves before the actual negotiations begin. He said this would pave the way for transparent and honest views to come out from

the renegotiation process. DR. MOMIS said that he fully supported the

work of this committee but wants the actual negotiation to begin this year.   

07.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville 

Landowners with ABG

By Aloysius Laukai

Panguna Landowners representative, THERESE JAINTONG yesterday said that her association was working with the Autonomous Bougainville Government to find a way forward for Bougainville. She made these comments at the official

opening of the Joint Coordination Committee that is preparing the ground work for the stakeholders that would be involved when the time for the negotiation

finally arrive. MRS. JAINTONG said that the Landowners had no hidden agenda but to work with all the stakeholders in the name of

partnership. She said that her Association was ready to put in their ideas when the time is right.   

07.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville 

COMMERCE MINISTER OPENS WOMEN’S WORKSHOP

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG Minister for Commerce and Trade, WILFRED KOMBA says women in Bougainville can excel as entrepreneurs if given the support by their leaders.The Minister made these remarks when officially opening the Four-Days Women in Business Association workshop at the Buka United church this morning. MR. KOMBA

said that the women on Bougainville were instrumental in re-establishing peace on the island and must be recognised for their efforts.The Minister

said that as the Minister responsible for Commerce and Trade in the MOMIS led government he was happy to see that women have organized again and invited

BANKS in Port Moresby to come AND TALK TO THEM.He said that the Commerce Division places greater emphases on pushing economic development in the Autonomous Region as paramount important.The meeting

will end on Thursday. 

07.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville 

MOMIS CONDOLENCES

By Aloysius Laukai

ABG President, DR.JOHN MOMIS today paid tribute to his former colleague the late SAM TULO who passed away at his Luli village on Buka island this morning.President

Momis in his remarks said that Bougainville has again lost another faithful son who worked tirelessly for his people as a civil servant, a National Member and

Minister and later after the conflict he also worked very hard in re-establishing the rule of Law in Buka and later spread to the entire region.President

Momis was lost in words in describing the late SAM TULO but said that he knew the late colleague as a man of faith and a faithful United Church follower.He said that

on behalf of the people of Bougainville he would like to send his condolences to the widow and the immediate family of the late SAM TULO. President Momis said that he prayed that God will reward him well for his good work on earth. 

07.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville 

TULO ORBITS

By Aloysius Laukai

Another Bougainville leader has died.The former two-term National Parliament member who represented the people of North Bougainville between 1977 to 1987, MR. SAM TULO has died.He died at

his village in Haku this morning.He was the Superintendent for Education on Bougainville before entering the National Parliament. As the Elected member for North Bougainville, the LATE SAM TULO became the National

Education Minister and did a good job also as the Education Minister.After his two terms in Parliament he stepped down and did not contest his seat again.During the Bougainville conflict, the Late SAM TULO was instrumental in the return of

services to Bougainville.He was the first Administrator for Bougainville when the Administration was temporarily relocated to Rabaul in East New Britain Province.The Late SAM

TULO is aged 66 and is survived by his wife and 8 kids, three girls and five boys.His body will be taken to the Buka Hospital morgue to await funeral arrangements. 

06.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Talk on mine reopening goes on

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

 THE Joint Panguna Negotiations Committee which is responsible for preparing all parties for the review and renegotiation of the Bougainville Copper Agreement (BCA) held its second meeting in Buka last week. 

 This committee is made up of representatives from the National Government, Bougainville Copper Limited, Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Panguna landowners. 

 Before officially opening the meeting last Thursday, ABG President Chief John Momis urged all the stakeholders involved to come up with decisions beneficial to all parties. 

 Mr Momis said the reopening of the mine was very critical for Bougainville’s future and called for an amicable solution to be reached by the committee.

“We all know the reopening of the Panguna mine is critical for Bougainville’s planning, development and establishment of a new Bougainville in accordance with important principles that uphold the dignity of a human person, rule of law, democratisation and human participation in process of development and governance,” Mr Momis said.

“Bougainville of course has suffered immensely as a result of the Bougainville crisis. (But) This is not the time to blame one another. It is an important moment in the history of Bougainville, PNG and Australia, Australasia for us to redeem ourselves.

“All of us need to redeem ourselves because we have a lot of people suffering as a consequence of the roles played by different stakeholders in the creation (and) in the development of the Bougainville crisis. Bougainvilleans themselves are not free of this blame. So as I said, it is an important moment in the history of Bougainville for us to collaborate and work together, put the past behind us and work with hope, faith, belief in the ability of mankind to address problems, especially the prevailing culture of inward looking and certain amount of exclusiveness that people have,” added Mr Momis. 

Mr Momis also announced that the ABG was committed in ensuring that the reopening of the Panguna mine would be in-line with the new ABG mining law, which the President said “will take care of interests of all parties”. 

Mr Momis when challenging the committee to collaboratively work together said the “ABG is keen to see these preparations proceed quickly in a way that involves all parties, National Government, Bougainville Copper Limited, landowners and of course ABG”.

“The cooperation amongst us is essential especially as you plan and as we conduct environmental and social baseline studies, social impact and the other important work that has to be done prior to negotiations being started. 

“If we prepare well for the negotiations, and the preparations must start now, and I guess it has already started, then the negotiations will definitely take off on the right footing.” 

The President added that he would like to see these negotiations starting to take place sometimes towards the end of this year so that people would psychologically feel that things were moving and that they were truly on the road to liberation and pathway to achieving their aspirations.

 The National Government team was led by the Secretary of the Department of Mineral Policy and GeoHazards Management Shadrach Himata while BCL Country Manager Paul Coleman and some of his officers also attended the meeting. 

06.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Delivery of service poor

By ROMULUS MASIU

HEALTH service delivery remains a big problem in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

And one of the main problem is there are not enough health workers in the rural areas where the big slice of the population resides.

As stated in recent statistics from the region’s division of health, ninety percent of health services remains a problem in Bougainville, while authorities try to solve ten percent of the services which include stocking up of medication in the aid posts, recruiting health workers and building of new aid posts. 

Peter Sisia who is the man looking after health matters in the two districts of Kieta and Panguna strongly believes that the region lacks health workers in very remote areas of the island. He gave a clear cut example of the ratio of health workers serving patients in his two districts.

“At the moment there are 85 health workers in the two districts of Kieta and Panguna who are serving a population of more than 45, 000 people.That sums up the ratio of one staff is to 500. Literally it means currently, one health worker is looking after 500 patients. This is a very big challenge that won’t be address only by the leaders but by all stakeholders including the communities,” Mr Sisia said.

He emphasized that health starts from the ‘womb to the tomb’ adding that health is everyone’s business because when you’re in good health you stay fit and healthy and do business.

Mr Sisia outlined that health service delivery is the business of all of us, especially when we talk about staff, medicine, clinics and other components that come in line with health issues affecting the people of this region. He said it is a very big challenge having to look after the two districts of Kieta and Panguna, the main challenge being that there are no qualified or certified health workers in the rural areas. “We need more health workers. Medicine is here and the government is helping but there is no qualified health worker”.

Mr Sisia said: “Therefore education of our children must be of paramount importance to us in the villages, especially parents, you must make sure your children receive the best education to go on and get training to be a health worker. 

“These are the people who will come back and look after or run your aid posts or health centres in your village and communities. No one from outside will come and do it.”

Mr Sisia gave an example of the mountainous remote Kongara 2 area where there is no aid post altogether, and to bring in outside certified health workers into such areas will be a very hard thing to do, therefore, we need our own people to go receive training and come back and serve our own people.

After the Bougainville Crisis, health issues have been vigorously addressed by the health authorities and both the ABG and the National government. But to date the same challenges are still here. Most importantly, the health workers especially serving in the most remote parts of Bougainville are doing it on voluntary basis without getting paid. They have been doing this for the last ten or so years during the crisis till now.

06.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Villagers build foot bridge

By CHRIS BARIA 

Parents and school children around the Marai area of South Nasioi in Central Bougainville can now breathe a sigh of relief as they now have a foot bridge to cross the flooded Karanari River during the rainy season.

The foot bridge was officially opened by Minister for Communications and Information Technology, who is also the Member for Central Bougainville. 

The Minister praised the people of South Nasioi for their initiative in building a foot bridge without any support from outside the community. 

“You did not wait for me, but went ahead and did it yourself, and in doing so you have demonstrated the true meaning of independence”, he said. 

The Minister made a commitment to reimburse monies spent by the local construction group in building the bridge. 

According to the Chairman of the Lower Aropanari, Village Council of Chiefs (VCC), the foot bridge was part of their 5-year plan. The chairman of South Nasioi Council of Elders, Thaddeus Davanara expressed that he had been deeply humbled by such an initiative by the people of his constituency and said that he was proud of their achievement. “Often our small village level government lacks funding support for these small projects, as this foot bridge, and we often rely on our good Member and Minister for funds to carry out work to develop our communities, and I believe this foot bridge is a challenge by our communities for us to do more to help them”, Mr. Davanara said.

In their speeches, various youth and women’s leaders requested that the government invest in the development of human resource, not just for those continuing their education, but also for those that have dropped out of the normal education system. 

“I can prove to you the leaders here today that there is a lot of talent lying idle around this community because this bridge was not built by people who have been to school or had any training in engineering, and that is why we as mothers are appealing to you our leaders to put more effort to developing our young people”, Therese Mona, a women’s representative pointed out. 

The foot bridge across Karanari River is fashioned out of steel beams and steel grill flooring salvaged from scrap materials at the mining infrastructure at Loloho port.

06.05.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Paul Coleman in Buka !

Meeting of the joint Co-ordination Committee !

Meeting of the joint Cordination Committee that is preparing groundwork for the Negotiation of Bougainville Copper Agreement.. Pictured are Bougainville Company Secretary Paul Coleman (left), ABG President John Momis (centre) and other participants.

03.05.2012

Source: Post-Courier

ABG keen to move back to Arawa

By ROMULUS MASIU

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government’s (ABG) desire to move back to its former capital, Arawa, is becoming a reality with very important divisions now moving their offices to Arawa.

The Lands Division raised its hand, wasted no time and was the first government division to move its office to the former capital yesterday. Following suit is Planning and the Mining Division.

This is part of ABG's commitment to start moving key government offices to Arawa so that the regions headquarter will finally be established in Arawa.

Lands Division Chief Executive Officer Andrew Dovaro, said his division sees that it is time now the office goes looking for people instead of sitting idle in Buka and waiting for people to come and find this very important government service.

Division of Lands is embarking on bringing government services right down to the people. And this is exactly what we are doing,” Mr Dovaro said.

Lands Division Officer Samuel Roroga will be the man manning the Lands Office in Arawa.

Those who accompanied Mr Dovaro to Arawa yesterday were from the National Department of Lands and Physical Planning in Port Moresby, headed by their team leader Shiela Sukinanomb, Tiri Wanga (Director – State Land), Luther Sipison (Surveryor General), George Ume (Chief Pysical Planner and Benson Amos (Project Officer).

The Lands Division Office will be housed at ‘Osioco Haus’, which at the moment houses all the government agencies in Central Bougainville.

Landlord Roland Job Osioco told Post-Courier that he’s very happy to provide the avenue and accommodate the offices of the government.

He said this will fast track the movement of the ABG and its headquarter to Arawa.

Other private entities who have moved and established their offices in Arawa include South Pacific Post (Post-Courier), Bank South Pacific (BSP), Advance Signs Ltd, PNG Ports Ltd and others. 

Other businesses who have shown an interest in opening up offices in Arawa includes the Teachers, Savings & Loans Society.

03.05.2012

Source: Post-Courier

PNG govt given notice on outstanding land rental payments

By ROMULUS MASIU

THE Independent State of Papua New Guinea has been given notice through the Department of Lands and Physical Planning to settle once and for all outstanding lease rental payment totaling a massive K10 million for a Bougainville Village. 

Yesterday, Arawa Villagers in the Kieta District of Central Bougainville submitted documents put together to get payment on the ‘Siokatei Land’ – Arawa Customary Land –which covers a total of 150.8 hectares of land area on the outskirts of Arawa Town.

The Siokatei Landowners requested the National Government, through the Lands Department, on the outstanding lease rentals and are seeking the process of settlement of the outstanding annual lease rental payment on Siokatei land since November 25, 1989.

The State owes the Siokatei Landowners a total valuation figure of K7, 894, 300.00 of which 5% is K394, 715.00 per annum.

They also requested the national government, through the Lands Department, of the need to settle the backdated adjustment of lease rentals from August 15, 1984 to August 15, 1991.In this case the government again owes the Siokatei Landowners K186, 112.50 per annum for the re-assessed land value from 1984 to 1991.

The document was presented to representatives of the National Department of Lands and Physical Planning who came to Arawa yesterday accompanied by Bougainville Lands Chief Executive Officer Andrew Dovaro, team leader Shiela Sukinanomb, Tiri Wanga, Luther Sipison, George Ume and Benson Amos.

According to Spokesman of the Siokatei, Mathias Salas, the Deed was made on the August 15, 1970 between the owners of the native customary tenure of Siokatei land at Arawa and the Administration of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea and the Copper Company, later known as Bougainville Copper Limited.

Mr Salas said this lease of Arawa Customary Land is for the term of 99 years, adding that all the documents is in the capable hands of the Lands and Physical Planning Department and it’s up to them to bring to the attention of the State and make the requested payments to the people when ready. 

Eight out of the eleven chiefs who act as agents of the eleven areas which make up Siokatei, have already passed away and the community is calling on the Lands department to speed up the payments which rightfully belong to them.

Ms Sukinanomb assured the landowners that their plight will be taken up to the top level of the Department, which is the Secretary, who will then take it from there.

(From left) Landlord of ‘Osioco Haus’ Job Osioco, Mr Sipison and Mr Wanga at Lands Division’s new office complex in Arawa. 

03.05.2012

Source: Post-Courier

Tortured women released, with family

THE three women tortured and held for suspected sorcery in South Bougainville are now with their family members.

The mother and two daughters were set free and transported to Buka general hospital for treatment to their injuries late last week. The mother suffered cuts to her body and had the back of her neck sliced.

The three spent some days recovering in the Surgery Ward and are reportedly still traumatised by their ordeal.

They have now gone to stay with their families in an attempt to get some normalcy back into their lives.

After being tortured and held, the women were then looked after by ex-combatants who ensured their safety until “Bel Kol” had been organised by negotiators.

The negotiating team made a breakthrough last week and the women were allowed to be released without fear for their safety.

The women had been accused of sorcery and tortured along with other family members at the beginning of last month. One woman Helen Rumbali was killed whilst other family members managed to escape.

Meanwhile, the family members who escaped the attackers say they were let down by police during the incident.

Whilst acknowledging the police were outnumbered during the ordeal, the families claim “the police failed to uphold their duties”.

The police arrived at the same time as the attackers but were unable to help the victims.

“The police were armed but overpowered,” admitted one of the victims, but added, “just before the incident two police officers came (Bana police) and talked with us. They explained their duty to us – to protect lives and property”.

This, the families believe, did not happen.

 In a statement, the Bougainville police said the officers were heavily outnumbered and the mob had superior weaponry at the time of the incident.

“All attackers were armed with grass knives, high-powered guns and other weapons,” said the police who were forced to retreat from the scene.

 The victims agreed that there was little the police could do but said they were filled with fear when the police left them.

“When police were there we felt a bit safe,” they said. “But when they left it got worse. Once the police left, everything got worse”.

03.05.2012

Source: The National

ABG mulls over using English at elementary level 

ELEMENTARY schools in Bougainville have been exempted from using English for instruction until the Autonomous Bougainville Government makes a definite policy.

Bougainville education chief executive Bruno Babato said the national government directed all elementary classes to use English but it exempted all schools operating under the ABG administration.

“This means the Bougainville government is required to develop its own language policy due to the fact that the powers and functions relating to elementary and Technical Vocational Education Training  curriculums have already been transferred to the ABG,” he said yesterday.

Babato said the schools did not necessarily have to abide by the policy. 

“It further means that an informed decision has to be made regarding this shift in policy to suit the Bougainville context.”

 Babato said the Bougainville education board had two options to consider – elementary schools to continue with the current policy that allowed the use of vernacular or a lingua franca for instruction and effecting a new policy to use English from  this year.

Babato said English as a subject in elementary schools could be easily implemented once in-service  was given to teachers. 

He said the ABG constitution stated that children be taught their vernacular at elementary level.

02.05.2013

Source: ABC  News 24

Bougainville mine site needs clean-up, BCL told

by Jemima Garrett

Scientists say mining group Rio Tinto will have to improve its environmental record if it plans to reopen its mine on the Papua New Guinea island of Bougainville.

In the 1980s development of the mine sparked a decade-long civil war which left more than 10,000 people dead.

But now the Bougainville government is looking for new development opportunities.

A study by Rio subsidiary Bougainville Copper says the mine is economically viable and could be reopened in as few as six years.

A mining expert, Gavin Mudd, told Radio Australia there is a lot of damage on Bougainville that needs cleaning up before new mining can take place.

Dr Mudd is a senior lecturer in environmental engineering at Monash University and chairman of the Minerals Policy Institute.

He said work was needed to alleviate the effect of acid mine drainage, where minerals left lying on the ground reacted with rainwater to produce sulphuric acid, with devastating effects.

The academic said guesswork put the cost of a clean-up at $1 billion or more. "But that cost at the moment is being borne by the local environment and the community."Their gardens are gone, their water quality is severely impacted."

02.05.2013

Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

Rio Tinto warned on environmental damage on Bougainville

Scientists say Rio Tinto will have to improve its environmental record if it plans to re-open its mine on Papua New Guinea's island of Bougainville.

In the 1980's the mine sparked a decade-long civil war which left more than 10,000 people dead.

But now the Bougainville government is looking for new development opportunities.

A study by Rio subsidiary Bougainville Copper says the mine is economically viable and could be re-opened in as little as six years.

Gavin Mudd, is Senior Lecturer in environmental engineering at Monash University and Chair of the Minerals Policy Institute.

He told Jemima Garrett there is a lot of damage on Bougainville that needs cleaning up before new mining can take place.

Presenter: Jemima Garrett

Speaker: Dr Gavin Mudd, a mine waste expert at Monash University

  Listen here !  

02.05.2013

Source: Radio New Zealand International

Library in Bougainville built by New Zealand charity about to open

A new library being built in the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville is nearly complete and will open at the end of the month.

Peter Swain from the Bougainville Library trust says a volunteer builder is travelling from New Zealand to Arawa to complete the final stages of the ’House Stori’ this week.

The campaign to build the library is led by New Zealand author Lloyd Jones, whose award winning novel, ’Mr Pip’ is set in Bougainville during the decade-long civil war.

Mr Swain says there have been some delays in getting resources to Bougainville, but the community is eager to experience the finished library.

“There’s the opportunity for writers, for poets, for people in the creative arts to be at the library. To use that as a place for residencies, a place to tell stories, to encourage local people to tell their stories as part of the ongoing growth of Bougainville.”

Peter Swain says some cultural events have already been successfully held in the new library.

02.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Arawa landowner calls for ABG help

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

ONE of the landowners of Arawa town in Central Bougainville is calling on the Autonomous Bougainville Government to immediately come up with plans to address the future settlement issue of the landowners. 

Martin Miringka said the population of the landowners was increasing rapidly therefore the ABG needed to start planning where to relocate them. 

Mr Miringka said the landowners were happy and fully supported the ABG’s idea to move back to Arawa, however, they wanted the Government to first address their concern so that they would not cause any disturbances to the Government’s relocation from Buka to Arawa.

Mr Miringka is also appealing to the ABG to involve and consult the landowners as partners in any developments that the Government wanted to facilitate in Arawa.

He said the landowners’ involvement would prevent any opposition from them concerning these developmental plans or programs.

He also wants the Government to come up with plans to “relocate those who are occupying the houses in Arawa town” so that it will make it easier for the Government to move to Arawa.

Mr Miringka is also calling on those landowners in Arawa town who are collecting rental payments from business operators to stop as what they were doing was illegal. 

He is also calling on police to arrest those who are illegally collecting these rental fees from the business houses in Arawa. 

Meanwhile, Mr Miringka is calling all so-called landowners of Arawa town to come together and identify who were the real landowners.

02.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

NGO aids Arawa Health Centre

By ROMULUS MASIU

THE Arawa Health Centre which acts as the referral hospital for the population of South and Central Bougainville received much needed supplies to fight diabetes last week.

The health centre which serves the ever-increasing population of the two regions (South and Central) was the happy recipient of a Glucose machine that will be used to test patients sugar level and Glucometer strips. 

The items were presented to the health centre by Arawa town’s resident magistrate Luke Keria on behalf of the Hope Worldwide (PNG) in collaboration with Department of Health and World Diabetes Foundation.

Mr Keria said the items presented will now make it easier for the medical staff at the health centre to detect early signs or symptoms of diabetes.

Mr Keria said PNG, like other middle income earning countries in economic transition, is experiencing a double burden of illness from infectious diseases and lifestyle–related non- communicable diseases.

Diabetes is a systemic disease which can result in a variety of serious complications such as; eye damage leading to blindness, neuropathy resulting in ulcerations and the need for amputations, kidney failure and substantially increased risk of ischaemic heart disease. 

Upon receiving the items Kieta/Panguna officer in charge for health, Peter Sisia thanked Hope Worldwide (PNG), Department of Health and World Diabetes Foundation, through Mr Keria, stating that Arawa Health Centre lacked this very vital items to detect this very fatal disease.

He said there has been no standard management and treatment of diabetes in the country, and this handbook and the machines given will be really helpful to his staff to perform thorough checks on patients and whoever comes to the health centre for medication.

Residents of Arawa town and nearby villages are urged to come to the health centre and check their sugar level.

02.05.2013

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

COE STRUCTURES ON TRIAL

By Aloysius Laukai

The new Bougainville Council of Elders structure for Bougainville is currently being trialed in some COES on Buka island.

The CEO for the LLG Division, HERBERT KIMAI told New Dawn FM this morning that the new COE structure is being trialed in the TSITALATO COE.

Then they will move to TEUA, TINPUTZ and then Wakunai.

He said that the BABA and RAMU COE’s in South Bougainville are also trialing this new structure.

MR. KIMAI said they hope that the new system would work well with the village assemblies through establishment of unit communities.

He said the aim of the new structure is to get the Government services of Health and Education and governance much closer to the people in the rural areas.

New Dawn FM understands that a team from the LLG division toured the Pacific to try and study their forms of COE’s in Fiji and Tonga. And this could be the outcome of the trip to the Pacific countries.

02.05.2013

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

WORLD VISION CHANGES BUKA LOCATION

By Aloysius Laukai

 World Vision’s Bougainville Program office based in Buka today closed its activities to change location.

Its Program Manageress, said that this was due to the downgrading of its service as they extend their program into mainland Bougainville.

Since their operation in Buka they have been working on Water and Sanitation projects and including Health issues.

And since last year they have changed their focus moving into Education programs and also economic programs on cocoa management.

New Dawn FM understands that the TB Dots program was also dropped and according to the latest Health figures TB cases are increasing in Bougainville.

02.05.2013

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG RECOGNISES NEW DAWN AS AN IMPACT PROJECT

By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville’s Community Radio Network, NEW DAWN FM can be an impact project for Bougainville if supported by Authorities.

This was the message made by the ABG Minister for Finance, Planning and Treasury, ALBERT PUNGHAU during the Buin forum last week.

He made these remarks when replying to questions raised by the people of Konnou through their spokesman, CHRIS MOTA who wanted to know why the ABG was not supporting Radio Stations to disseminate information into the remote areas of Bougainville.

MR. MOTA said that the people have been in the dark for too long as the Government radio station based in Buka was only broadcasting in and around Buka island.

The Finance Minister said that the NBC was owned by the National Government and has totally ignored its activities on the island.

He said even funds allocated for the radio project totaling Four MILLION kina was never und they should support the local network including the Division of Communications.

Other speakers also raised their concerns into the need for more awareness from the ABG and its administration.

Meanwhile, New Dawn FM will go on satalite into Central and South Bougainville as soon as equipments arrive in Buka for the installation to commence.

This is due to some financial support from the Bougainville Copper Foundation.

02.05.2013

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PUMPARA COMMITS HEALTH

By Aloysius Laukai

The CEO for Health Department on Bougainville, DR.JOSEPH PUMPARA this week announced that the Health Department on Bougainville has been named as one of the first managed divisions with services linking directly into the rural communities.

DR. PUMPARA told New Dawn FM that this was achieved after going through a lot of problems since the end of the conflict on Bougainville.

He said that he was thankful to the hardworking and dedicated Health staff throughout the region.

On the questions of many workers not yet on the payroll, DR. PUMPARA said that the department was working to put all workers on payroll.

He said that many of these names have to be screened and confirmed before actually putting them on payroll.

DR. PUMPARA said many have been addressed and called on people who are still having problems to see them at the Sohano Office.

New Dawn FM understands that ,PUBLIC SERVICE,HEALTH and EDUCATION are the first ABG Divisions to become departments under the draw -down of powers.

02.05.2013

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

POLICE GRADUATE HERE

By Aloysius Laukai

The Bougainville Police Service this morning welcomed four new Inspectors to the Bougainville Police Service.

This was revealed by ACP THOMAS ELUH this morning after the Policemen and women presented a parade to welcome the new inspectors.

ACP ELUH said of the four two are new and from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary whilst the other two have been two cadets sent from Bougainville to the BOMANA POLICE COLLEGE.

Three would be the Provincial Police Commanders and would be based in Buin,Arawa and Buka whilst the fourth will be based at the headquarters and incharge of Criminal Investigation Branch.

Pictured are some of the Police officers with the ACP in white shirt posing for this AL Picture

02.05.2013

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ESTABLISH GOVERNMENT DAY

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG member for Selau, TERRY MOSE wants the people of Selau to put a day aside for Government work throughout Bougainville.

He made these comments on NEW DAWN FM last night when announcing the return of the FORTY HORSE Power outboard motor recently taken by thieves from the staff of the Buka General Hospital at Sohano.

MR. MOSE told New Dawn FM that he wonders why villagers load trucks to town everyday, Monday to Saturday and have no time to clean their homes.

The ABG member said that he wants the people of Selau to follow the community day policy so that the landowners themselves can clean their homes.

New Dawn FM understands that previously the people used to work on areas like the Road, schools and Health facilities on a Monday in South Bougainville and a Thursday in Buka and those who did not show up could be penalized.

Or even put to jail.

02.05.2013

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ELUH ON POLICE SUPPORT

By Aloysius Laukai

The Bougainville Police Service Commander, Assistant Police Commander THOMAS ELUH has welcomed calls made by the ABG President, DR. MOMIS to engage ex-combatants to support the work of Police on Bougainville.

He told New Dawn FM this morning that the idea of using ex combatants to work with Police was good however the recruitment of these former combatants must be properly planned and supervised.

THOMAS ELUH said that this was to make sure those people with outstanding issues from the crisis are not taken onboard.

He said the recruitment should cover all youths and not just former combatants.

ACP Eluh said that things like outstanding reconciliations between former combatants should be addressed so that they are enrol with not issues that can tarnish the name of the Bougainville Police Service.

02.05.2013

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

CAPS WILL CONTINUE

By Aloysius Laukai

Community Auxiliary Police project on Bougainville continue to support the work of regular police however the number must be increased to make sure all COE’s on Bougainville have CAPS.

Assistant Police Commander for Bougainville, THOMAS ELUH said that the CAP project was introduced in Papua New Guinea to make sure the work of Policing of Law and order is felt in the communities.

He said this program was totally misused by people for their own selfish interest in many parts of Papua New Guinea.

THOMAS ELUH said that many criminal activities have occurred using Police uniforms and therefore they have decided to scrap off the program.

ACP Eluh said on Bougainville the project is working well with the support of New Zealand Police and the ABG and CAPS will continue to operate on Bougainville.

He said what the ABG can do is to increase the number of CAPs in the rural communities.

02.05.2013

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PANGUNA COULD LOOSE

By Aloysius Laukai

A Bougainvillean mining engineer, JOSEPH PANGKAU says the people of Bougainville could loose if the price of Copper and Gold suddenly drops whilst they continue to drag the re-opening of the Panguna Copper Mine.

MR. PANGKAU who is working with ABG’s Mining Division told the BUIN Forum last week that the grade of copper in Panguna is low grade and needs more to get the required tones.

And whilst many Copper and Gold mines are discovered around the world this could drop the world price and this means Bougainville will not benefit at all from its resources.

He called on the people of Bougainville to put their acts together and open the Panguna Copper mine whilst the price is high.

02.05.2013

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BOUGAINVILLE WOMEN IN BUSINESS WORK SHOP

BY MARIA LAUKAI

Bougainville Women in Business Association are preparing for a four-days Workshop, for women in the Autonomous region of Bougainville.

The work shop is schedule to start on 6th may to the 9th of May 2013.

A small fee of K50.00 will be charged for financial members and non members will pay K100.00

This is according to the Executive Members Judith Raban and Angie Kovoho

This time, the workshop is under the management of MARY SAHOTO and executives of the Association.

The facilitators will be from the three commercial banks , the NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANK , BANK OF SOUTH PACIFIC and NATIONWIDE MICROBANK.

Also personal’s from two divisions of the government, division of primary industry and commerce & trade will also have their facilitators.

Personnel from the internal revenue commission and IPA were also invited too attend the workshop.

Women of all walks of life are invited to attend this very important workshop.

The workshop will be held at the Buka town united church.

02.05.2013

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG TAKING BOTTOM UP

By Maria Laukai

ABG is doing its primary job well. That’s policy making and delivery of services to the people of Bougainville.

This is according to the ex-combatant member for south Bougainville, Michael Laita.

He made these comments at the south Bougainville mining forum in Buin secondary school last week.

He said the people of Bougainville should fully participate when their turn for the forum comes, and not to waste time, because this was their golden opportunity to contribute to the future of Bougainville.

He said, ABG was taking a bottom up approach by consulting the people, on the future of the Panguna copper mine

MR. LAITA said that the people should be happy that their government is involving them in deciding the future of the mine.

This he said was a sign of a good and transparent government.

He called on the people of Bougainville to give their views whether good or bad as fence sitters do nothing but complain.

01.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

AusAID active in AROB

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE Australian Government through its international aid program, AusAID is continuing to fund many developmental projects in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

According to a report from the AusAID office in Buka, last year again saw large sums of money being injected into the transport infrastructure, health, education, capacity building, law and justice and other sectors in Bougainville.

The assistance has greatly made life easier for many Bougainvilleans, and has come at a needy time, especially when the Autonomous Bougainville Government has been tirelessly trying its best to source funds from the national government to fund its intended projects on Bougainville. 

The transport infrastructure sector saw the restoring and maintaining of 500 kilometers of Bougainville’s 600km main road network which fostered economic development and better access to services.

In the health sector, AusAID has delivered medical kits to Bougainville’s 33 health centres and hospitals and 162 aid posts.

The education sector saw the construction of a double classroom, a staff house, a small office and an ablution block in 10 primary schools throughout Bougainville. Another ten primary schools will again be benefiting from these similar projects this year.

In the Law and Justice Sector, AusAID has refurbished the Buka police station and five police houses in Wakunai, Central Bougainville and also supported the recruitment and training of 13 district village court officials.

In terms of capacity building, AusAID has delivered the bulk of its capacity development support to the ABG through advisory support as part of the provincial and local governments program and other national sector programs, and the Governance and Implementation Fund (GIF) to assist in the implementation of autonomy and public sector reforms and improve service delivery and governance.

AusAID is also funding an advisor to help ABG with weapons disposal policy and implementation.

It is also supporting peace building, conflict mediation and reconciliation through the Panguna Peace Building Strategy.

AusAID has also provided funding support for an adviser to the ABG on issues relating to Panguna and the upcoming Bougainville Copper Agreement review and the formation of landowner groups in the Panguna area.

01.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

AusAID assists AROB projects

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE Australian Government through its international aid program, AusAID is continuing to fund many developmental projects in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

According to a report from the AusAID office in Buka, last year again saw large sums of money being injected into the transport infrastructure, health, education, capacity building, law and justice and other sectors in Bougainville.

The assistance has made life easier for many Bougainvilleans, and has come at a needy time, especially when the Autonomous Bougainville Government has been tirelessly trying its best to source funds from the National Government to fund its intended projects on Bougainville. 

The transport infrastructure sector saw the restoring and maintaince of 500km of Bougainville’s 600km main road network, which fosters economic development and better access to services.

In the health sector, AusAID has delivered medical kits to Bougainville’s 33 health centres and hospitals and 162 aid posts.

The education sector saw the construction of a double classroom, a staff house, a small office and an ablution block in ten primary schools throughout Bougainville. Another ten primary schools will again be benefiting from similar projects this year. In the Law and Justice Sector, AusAID refurbished the Buka police station and five police houses in Wakunai, Central Bougainville and also supported the recruitment and training of 13 district village court officials. 

In terms of capacity building, AusAID has delivered a bulk of its capacity development support to the ABG, through advisory support, as part of the Provincial and Local Governments program and other national sector programs, and the Governance and Implementation Fund (GIF) to assist in the implementation of autonomy and public sector reforms and improve service delivery and governance.

AusAID is also funding an advisor to help ABG with weapons disposal policy and implementation and peace building the Panguna Peace Building Strategy.

01.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville community builds aidpost

By ROMULUS MASIU

A remote community in Bougainville is practicing self-reliance and really embracing the true meaning of autonomy and being truly independent.

Youths took the lead with women and chiefs backing themselves to realize their dream of having an aid post that will be used to store their medicine and for patients to get treated by their volunteer nursing aid, Veronica Narueh. In the past, medication and patients were attended to at Veronica’s house. 

The villagers invited leaders to come and witness the opening of the aid post last week. 

They (villagers) even prepared a big feast to celebrate this important milestone with their guests.

Chief, Lawrence Batarima, thanked his people who worked together to realise their achievement, praising the youths as the most influential in working together to come up with their own aid post. 

He urged his people to maintain the attitude of working together to build a safe and healthy community in Borumai. 

All those who were present spoke highly of the people’s initiative to build. 

Mr Dare expressed his gratitude to his people for being self reliant and not asking anything from him as their Member. 

Present also was ABG Mining Minister Michael Oni, who congratulated the villagers and leaders, encouraging them to continue to be self reliant and independent in whatever projects they have in mind. “You have to start doing things yourself and only then will the government help you after seeing your desire to complete your projects”.

Health officer in charge of Kieta/Panguna district Peter Sisia, asked the villagers to select someone from their community to undergo further studies through the health division inorder to help with the running of the aid post. 

Bougainville Healthy Community Program director Ruby Miringka also told the villagers to exercise the healthy aspects of life emphasizing health and hygiene to be the key to any positive village community that will prosper and achieve their goals in whatever way they can at the village level.

01.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Governor Lera launches money plan forum

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

BOUGAINVILLE Regional MP Joe Lera launched his first Political Mobilisation Forum in Central Bougainville on Monday. 

Witnessing the ceremony were Central Bougainville MP and Minister for Communication, Jimmy Miringtoro, Former Bougainville Revolutionary Army Commander Sam Kauona, the Me’ekamui faction, ABG constituency members, leaders from various levels of government and communities from the surrounding villages of Tunaniya Open Learning Centre outside of Arawa town.

Mr Lera said the decision to host the forum in Tunaniya, the home of Mr Kauona, was fitting as it gave recognition to the leadership he provided during the height of the Bougainville Crisis and other leaders who fought at his side to bring Bougainville to this stage.“The new political journey must rise from this place where our revolution leader fought to bring Bougainville to this level and now a new leader takes on to revolutionise Bougainville through peace development,” Mr Lera told the forum.

He said the forum gave opportunity to leaders from all levels of government to participate in decision making to determine appropriate provincial focused development projects.

Minister for Communication and Central Bougainville MP, Jimmy Miringtoro declared the Central Bougainville Forum open and urged ABG members and the people of Bougainville to unite with their leaders to develop Bougainville.

He said the Regional MP was ready to work with the people and Bougainvilleans must take this opportunity to be part of the government through his bottom up approach. The Central Region Bottom Up forum ends this Friday and the Regional Member and his officers will be traveling to South Bougainville to stage another similar forum in Bana district next week.

01.05.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Villagers try hand at road construction

Words and Picture: WINTERFORD TOREAS.

This 8.6km road was made by the villagers using water and whatever tools like spade, fork, bush knives and axe that they have. Pictured are two cousins, Bernard Iro (left) and Samuel Kukue at a section of this new road.