News 09.2014.2
30.09.2014
Source: The Guardian
Bougainville landowners defend consultation over Panguna mine
by Helen Davidson
NGO report claims there is widespread mistrust of discussions around PNG copper mine reopening, but Bougainville president and landowners say report is flawed
Backers of the reopening of the Panguna copper mine in the autonomous Bougainville region of Papua New Guinea have defended their community consultation processes and attacked a report criticising their actions.
The report by Jubilee Australia, an NGO, canvassed opinions in 10 villages surrounding the copper and gold mine – a Rio Tinto-owned project by Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) which was at the heart of the island’s decade-long civil war. The mine, which was the largest of its type in the world when operating, closed in 1989.
The report, launched in Australia this month by the Greens leader, Christine Milne, Labor MP Melissa Parke and independent MP Cathy McGowan, found that resentment and mistrust of PNG defence forces, Australia and BCL because of their roles in the conflict, had led to mistrust of discussions around reopening the mine.
The research was conducted anonymously at the end of 2013 and spoke to 65 people individually and one group of 17 people in Bougainville. Jubilee’s chairman, Luke Fletcher, told Guardian Australia that while there was a risk of self-censorship among respondents, Jubilee’s findings were “certainly enough to question the main narrative” of widespread support for the mine as a source of national revenue.
However, the president of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ABG), John Momis, disputed many of the report’s claims including that the voices of mine-affected communities had been distant from discussions which began in 2009.
“There may indeed be individuals who have not been able to, or have chosen not to, participate in consultations,” Momis said in a statement.
He said the ABG had “extremely limited resources” and faced geographical and political barriers, including a 17-year-long armed roadblock restricting government access to the Panguna area.
Momis accused the report’s authors of seeking out people known to be opposed to the mine. He said while there were individuals and communities in opposition, “nothing in Jubilee’s report substantiates this gross overgeneralisation and misrepresentation.”
“The overwhelming response is support for reopening the mine, but only if it can be done in a way that avoids the extremely negative effects of earlier mining and ensures that Bougainvilleans receive a fair share of mining’s benefits’, said Momis.
Interviewees quoted in the report spoke of a deep mistrust of BCL in running the mine again, and of fear that it would lead to a repeat of the environmental and social damage and see a return to violence.
“BCL has a lot to do in terms of reparation for what it did to us. When did BCL admit its wrongs? And now it is trying to come back; mining is not a negotiable issue,” said a woman from Guava.
Others expressed tentative support under strict conditions or different ownership.
In a letter to Jubilee, the association executives for nine mine-affected landowner groups said they did not understand why the research was done secretly.
“They did not ask us for information to help the research be accurate, so they didn’t know about the many different kinds of consultation for our people about the future of mining held over some years.”
A negotiations adviser to the ABG, Ciaran O’Faircheallaigh told Guardian Australia that he believed there was little risk of retribution to people voicing an opinion against the mine. He said the consultation process had been transparent, and provided a platform for dissenting opinion.
“All the forums – the women’s forum, the region forums and so on – have all been broadcast live,” he said.
“If there was any activities designed to intimidate people or any attempt to intimidate people it would be very quickly and widely known. Bougainville is a small place.”
O’Faircheallaigh said among those who spoke were people who were staunchly opposed to the mine, but the majority supported it with conditions.
In his letter to the Jubilee board, Momis said the ABG “is committed to social and environmental baseline studies and negotiations being undertaken to establish whether it is possible to reopen Panguna in a way that satisfies these conditions. If they cannot be satisfied, the ABG opposes reopening the mine.”
Brynnie Goodwill, CEO of Jubilee Australia told Guardian Australia: “the board is considering its response to the comments by president Momis and the landowners,” however “the purpose of the research was to support the airing of voices of mine affected communities, to explore in depth issues that may have been lingering since the closure of the mine and civil war, and to ensure those voices could become part of a broader discussion and debate.”
30.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Locals destroy towers
By ROMULUS MASIU
WORK on the erection of 27 Digicel towers across Bougainville has come to a sudden halt due to the destruction of towers by unhappy landowners.
Best Price Traders managing director Emilroy Augustine said 19 towers have already been erected but work has stopped after five towers were destroyed by locals.
Best Price Traders, a Bougainvillean-owned company, has been engaged to deliver the 27 towers right throughout Bougainville and is a sub-contractor of Mirigini Trading Limited, which specialises in project logistics in the country.
The materials for the 19 towers had been delivered already to the building sites through road and by helicopter.
Mr Augustine said his company, which specialises in information technology, comprises of a local crew and certified load masters engaged in the delivery of the 27 towers.
“We are not part of Digicel. We are sub-contractors under Mirigini Trading Limited delivering tower materials to the project sites where other local contractors will erect the towers,” Mr Augustine said in clarifying his company’s responsibilities to the general public, especially landowners at the project sites.
“The work has now come a halt because specified numbers of towers out of the 19 we have delivered and erected were destroyed by locals, therefore work can not progress,” he said.
According to Mr Augustine the problem is due to lack of awareness by respective authorities, including Digicel. He pointed out that there was no proper consultation and awareness carried out for locals in the tower erection sites.
Much of the destruction to the towers involved the removal of solar panels and batteries by locals.
30.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Village opens community hall
By JACOB IENU
Women of Baiaruai village in the Apiatei area of North Nasioi, Kieta celebrating the opening of their community hall, which was built by the people themselves. Picture: JACOB IENU.
BAIARUAI in the Apiatei area of North Nasioi in Central Bougainville opened its new village assembly (VA) hall last weekend with a big celebration.
It was opened by the North Nasioi council of elders chairman John Dona and witnessed by chiefs from surrounding villages. Women groups, youth groups, women and children came in numbers to witness the occasion.
Some of the invited guests included Apiatei’s paramount chief Dominic Torona, women’s representatives Lucy Sinei, Pricilla Bisiro and Cecilia Garuai, technical officer Ben Kinah and Baiaruai VA vice chairman Allan Gioni.
Mr Gioni said having a VA hall is a dream come true for the community and thanked everyone for their support and hard work. Mr Donna said the building itself is nothing if it is not used and he encouraged youths, women, courts and the community to use it.
Mr Kinah said Apiatei must have a peaceful, harmonious, prosperous and educated people in their communities. He challenged the educated Apiatei people to come back to their communities and work in the VA hall with their chiefs.
Council of elders chairman Mr Donna during the opening of the hall also donated K300 to the local women, K200 to Baiaruai VA and K500 to the surrounding community.
30.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Sports foundation gets MP’s support
By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS
THE Bougainville regional MP Joe Lera has presented K300,000 to the Autonomous Bougainville Sports Foundation (ABSF) and individual sporting codes.
ABSF regulates sports in Bougainville and is currently preparing team Bougainville to take part in the 6th PNG games scheduled for Lae in November.
In a small ceremony, all sporting code coordinators, managers, the ABSF, ABG Department of Community Development Minister Melchior Dare and the acting CEO Mana Kakarouts, witnessed the handing over of the cheque.
Of the K300,000 given ABSF is allotted K181,500. The rest was given to individual codes.
Mr Lera said developing the human resource through sports is one of the 12 pillars included in his five year plan to develop Bougainville.
He said accountability and transparency must be seen in every aspect as the team that takes part in the PNG Games will carry the pride of Bougainville.
In 2015 the office will only fund codes that are affiliated.
30.09.2014
Source: Bougainville24
Arawa women upskilled at training centre
By Ishmael Palipal
Since Arawa Women’s Training Centre was established in the early 2000s it has trained and produced many productive women who are now working in the towns and villages in the region.
Some women trained at the centre go and pass on the skills learned to regional communities. It is a process of network learning, where one is trained and she trains three more and so on.
Arawa Women’s Training Centre provides training like baking, cooking, catering, table setting, sewing, weaving, house decorations, house setting, landscaping and floral care. Talks are also given on how to convert these skills in to small business ideas, health education and ethics discussions.
Some of their cooking and baking students are now working in kaibars and others make products at home and sell them at markets.
The women are encouraged to seek further skills training through other short courses offered within the region or in other provinces to complement knowledge provided by Arawa Women’s Training Centre.
A recent catering course ran for seven days, with two days of theory and five days of practical, and was facilitated by Mathew Pinoko and Kim Dawidi. Ms Dawidi is the manager of the Arawa Women’s Training Centre Guest House. The training coordinator was Lillian Ahai with Greg Raivia as the assistant coordinator.
“We are willing to make a change in Bougainville with our knowledge through economic and social development,” said Ms Ahai.
One man was also reported to have graduated from the catering course at the centre.
Through its courses the centre builds up skills and also provides a holistic human resource for the community, with talks on issues such as health and ethics.
“The centre is here to serve the interest and dreams of the women in Bougainville,” said Mrs Kauona, the vice chairman of the training centre, told the Post Courier.
“As the saying goes; you educate a woman, you educate the nation. Thus we are educating the whole of Bougainville.”
29.09.2014
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Panguna landowners back PNG's ABG
Landowner groups in the Panguna region in the Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville are strongly supportive of the Autonomous Government's moves for a return to mining.
The government says mining is the best way to quickly create a viable economy.
It has passed new legislation vesting control of the resources in the hands of landowners and taken issue with claims by NGO, Jubilee Australia, that the people around Panguna do not want mining.
And the nine landowner groups support the government, saying the NGO should be ashamed at what it calls its poor research.
The chair of the Siokatei Association, Therese Jaintong, says opening Panguna is the way forward for the province.
"We have to really understand - how can we really run the Government when we are asking the Papua New Guinea Government for all the fundings and all that? So if we want to be independent, we must be independent and come up with self reliance - then Panguna is the way forward."
29.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Majority oppose mine’s return
OPPOSITION to the opening of the Panguna copper mine is near universal, the much criticised Jubilee Australia Research Centre study "Voices of Bougainville" has found.
"Individuals not only expressed their personal opposition but reported that this was the feeling of the majority in the area," said the study which was released in Australia last week and was heavily criticised by Bougainville President John Momis.
Jubilee Australia, a scientific researcher, combined with Australian partner International State Crime Initiative and Madang-based NGO Bismarck Ramu Group, to compile Voices of Bougainville, sub-titled ‘Nikana kangsi, nikana dong damana’ (Our Land, Our Future").
Mr Momis was the first to condemn the "biased" report, calling on Jubilee Australia to apologise to the people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. The Jubilee Australia study found that there were three main reasons for the opposition to opening the Bougainville Copper Limited mine. They were:
The negative environmental and social consequences associated with the first period of mining;
The role the Panguna mine played in sparking the ten-year Bougainville Crisis, and,
The lack of meaningful reconciliation and justice, associated with which was ongoing trauma from the conflict period. It notes in its executive summary that about one fifth of the respondents of its study would be prepared to consider discussing the prospect of reopening the mine after the independence vote has been taken.
Other additional conditions for reopening were local ownership/control of the mine or a proper reconciliation ceremony.
"Respondents were deeply critical of recent consultations surrounding the proposed reopening of the mine," the report said.
"Some felt that the consultations had not been sufficiently inclusive of communities that would be directly affected by the reopening, and that youth, women and elders had been excluded.
"Others felt that they had been poorly represented by the landowner associations or their elected representatives; others felt that there had been misleading statements in the media."
29.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Outsiders impose Panguna idea
THE individuals consulted in the Jubilee Australia study overwhelmingly felt that from the very start, the decision to have a mine at Panguna was imposed upon them by outsiders.
"They felt that the legal regime and economic enticements which convinced some to agree to the operation had been part of a deliberate strategy to undermine their way of life and to steal their resources," the researchers concluded in their executive summary of the study. Jubilee said the people felt that the mine, both during its construction and operation, had produced a range of disastrous impacts, citing most prominently the pollution and environmental destruction it had caused to their land and ecosystems.
Also, they felt that it had made them dependent on outsiders, prompted an influx of foreigners, eroded their sovereignty, and generated insecurity, the study found. Relations with the mine operator were also flagged as an issue of concern. The Bougainville Crisis years (1988-1997) were remembered as a time of trauma, both by those who lived through the period directly as well as by those who were too young to have personal memories of the events, Jubilee said.
"The most common causes of this trauma were the loss of property and livelihood, the shortages of food, medicine and services, and the killing or maiming of family members. "The respondents overwhelmingly identified the mine, and the environmental destruction associated with it, as the cause of the conflict, although discontent with benefit-sharing arrangements and the enrichment of elites and landowner associations were also mentioned as significant factors."
29.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Toroama calls for unity
Mr Toroama presenting the funding to GSNDV representatives in Arawa for the sports tournament next month. Picture: JACOB IENU
FORMER BRA hardman Ishmael Toroama has appealed to his people to work together and promote sports as a means to bring them together.
He said this when chipping in K15,000 to engage youths of Bougainville in a week-long sporting tournament next month.
Mr Toroama made the timely sponsorship through his security company Island Corps Security Services based in Arawa. The tournament will be known as Island Corps sports promotion, with the theme, “unity through sports”.
Boxing, volleyball and soccer will be played in Arawa from October 22-24. Mr Toroama has engaged Arawa-based non-government organisation Good Samaritan Natural Disaster Volunteers (GSNDV) to host and coordinate the event.
According to GSNDV treasurer Nathaniel Nuaku, prizes will be very attractive with reasonable fees for those willing to participate in the tournament with the aim to promote sports for social unity.
Prizes for soccer for men are K2000 for first prize, K1000 for second prize and K500 for third place. While for women first prize is K700, second is K500 and third is K300.
For volleyball men’s winners will getK1400, second K700 and third K500 while women first prize is K900, second prize K500 and 3rd prize is K300. And for boxing participating clubs will be given special prizes for their participation.
Close of registration for all teams is October 19, 2014 at 4pm and all teams must be in Arawa by October 21 to kick-start the tournament.
29.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville widows on a mission
By ROMULUS MASIU
THE Arkava widow women’s group of Central Bougainville is continuing to raise funds for their “eye-opener” trip to Lae, Morobe Province in November.
The widows, who lost their husbands during the Bougainville conflict, arec oming out to raise funds and organise the trip to Lae as a means of rehabilitation, relaxation and see new places for a change in their lifetime.
Last weekend they held a barbecue in Arawa as part of their ongoing fundraising for the trip.
In Lae they plan to visit various factories and farms.
Those who are willing to help in one way or the other can contact the group’s president Glenda Makaso on telephone number 73017467.
29.09.2014
Source: Bougainville24
The sacred tradition of womanhood in Tinputz
By Pauline Karalus
The four regions of Bougainville have their own ways of initiating young girls into womanhood. To this very day these rituals are still practised and upheld by the villagers.
They are inescapable as there are curses and laws associated with them. The traditions are vital in order for a woman to be regarded as independent and ready to start a family.
Many of these rituals from various parts of the island are no longer practised because westernisation is taking its course, however the Tinputz people of the northern region still uphold their tradition.
It is an initiation for adolescent girls during their first period. This ritual symbolises the independence of young girls and that they are ready to find a husband, start up a family and do everything a mother is expected to do.
When a young girl has her first period, she’s not allowed to be in the village. She’s kept in a little hut built in the forest and she’s not allowed out until the flow stops.
For up to two weeks she stays inside the hut with older women who teach her how she has to go about conducting things as soon as gets out of the house.
The young girl is forbidden to bathe and she only wears a piece of grass skirt which is changed each day by the elderly women.
Food given to her is also guided by strict rules and laws that mustn’t be broken. She is only allowed to be given food roasted over the fire and it mustn’t be superfluous.
She is soon to be an adult woman thus she has to make sacrifices.
During her days inside that hut, her upper arm is tattooed by the elderly women with sharp blades. They tattoo it by cutting little deep cuts into her upper arm and leaving them to dry up. She’s not allowed to drink water as it is believed that if she does the cuts won’t heal up as soon as possible.
The pain she bears when both her upper arms are tattooed is believed to motivate her to become a woman who will stand out and fight for what is right. A unique, tough, successful woman who is capable of handling the challenges and obstacles that will come as she starts up a family of her own.
As the second week comes to its end, she’s taken out of the house and a little feast is thrown out amongst the women of her tribe.
The initiation is closed as the girl symbolically climbs a banana tree and thus moves into adulthood.
She is carried out of the hut on the shoulders of an elderly woman and as soon as they come to the spot where the banana tree is, she leaps form her carrier’s shoulders and catches grip of the banana tree and climbs it whilst the elderly women chant in their mother tongue and dance around the tree.
After she climbs down she’s then taken by the elderly women and washed with bush herbs to drive away the spirits that have been with her throughout the initiation period.
The girl has now become a woman.
26.09.2014
Source: PNG Attitude
Panguna landowners call on Jubilee Australia to apologise
by KEITH JACKSON
CHAIRPERSONS of the nine landowner associations affected by the Panguna mine in Bougainville have told Jubilee Australia it should be ashamed of a report that claimed ‘near universal’ opposition among landowners to re-opening the Panguna copper and gold mine.
The nine leaders have also called upon the board of Jubilee Australia to apologise to them and their people “for presenting a wrong, misleading, and divisive picture of what we think about mining”.
According to Jubilee Australia's website its mission is to “promote accountability for the causes of poverty and injustice in the Asia Pacific” and “elevate the voice of affected communities”.
This criticism from the representatives of people Jubilee Australia claimed to be speaking for is the latest blow to the NGO following trenchant criticism earlier in the week from Bougainville president, Dr John Momis.
It also follows a comment on PNG Attitude by Bougainvillean author Leonard Fong Roka who said he was shocked by the report reproducing the “lies of the slum dwellers and not the whole Panguna people.
“This band did not cut across the entire Panguna district but were with the handful of squatter settlers in the old Panguna mine site,” he said.
In their letter to the Jubilee Australia board, the landowner representatives first established their legitimacy, saying their “associations were set up after long consultations” which began five years ago.
They point out mistakes in the Jubilee report and observe “they show us that whoever did the research doesn't know much about a lot of what it discusses”.
The landowners also say that they “don't understand why the research was done secretly. Those doing it did not tell us, or the ABG, what they were doing. They did not ask us for information to help the research be accurate.”
The letter concludes with the landowners expressing the view that Jubilee Australia board “should be ashamed” of its report and seeking an apology “for presenting a wrong, misleading, and divisive picture of what we think about mining.”
29.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
PLANING MINISTER OPENS BOUGAINVILLE DISASTER OFFICE
By Aloysius Laukai
The National Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, CHARLES ABEL this morning officially opened the Bougainville Disaster Coordination Office at Kubu on Buka island.
The Minister and his delegation arrived in Buka this morning for a one-week visit of HIGH IMPACT Projects on Buka island and mainland Bougainville.
In his official speech at the Opening of the Bougainville Disaster Office, MR. ABEL said that the disaster office must be fully equipped with Communication equipments, Cars and Boats and other important tools and funds to make sure that office responds quickly in times of natural disasters.
He said that Disaster office must be manned by staff to make sure they attend to all emergency calls.
The National Planning Minister said that he was happy to visit Bougainville and see how the National Government can further the assist the region to rise from the ashes of war.
The Group were welcomed by a cultural group on arrival at the Buka airport, later had a courtesy call on the ABG President, Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS, opened the Disaster office, did the ground breaking for the Buka Town streets sealing, met with the Ieta village landowners on the airport development, attended another ceremony for the Buka ring road at Malasang village before retiring for the day.
The team will open the HAKU Day High school and other projects on Buka island tomorrow.
On Wednesday the team will open the four-in one classroom for the St Mary’s Asitavi High school.
After WAKUNAI the group will then fly by Chopper to BUIN to open Muguai Health Centre in Buin.
From Muguai they will go to the BUIN health Centre and then to SIWAI for the opening of the HURAI Health Centre.
The Group will also visit projects in ARAWA, PANGUNA and the AROPA Airport redevelopment before returning to Buka.
They will return to Port Moresby on Friday.
Ministers and delegation arriving at the Disaster office opening this morning
Pictured is Planning Minister Charles Abel minister giving his speech at the opening of the Disaster office.
Opening of the Bougainville Disaster office in Buka
29.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BUIN GRADUATE
By Anthony Kaybing
Students in Bougainville have been urged to contribute to Bougainville’s development as it prepares for the final outcome of its political journey.
Autonomous Bougainville Government President Chief Dr. John Momis made the statement at the 32nd grade 10 and 8th grade 12 graduation at Buin Secondary School in South Bougainville last Thursday.
President Momis told the students that a good education is maturation, discipline and formation that makes a person recognize their true potential.
“You should not fear but you should be confident that you are well prepared by your teacher and by your parents to go out into the world and make a difference,” he told the graduates.
The President urged the graduating students not to leave Bougainville after completing their education simply because the financial gains may seem attractive but to come back and to help rebuild their homes and communities.
“Bougainville is undergoing a process of structural empowerment and liberating people to be free to do something positive for its people and that is what Bougainville offers to its people today.” President Momis said.
“You have a much more challenging and in a way a much more fulfilling engagement in Bougainville and so you are called upon to do your part in its development,” he added.
President Momis said that Bougainville cannot remain stagnant but to have things happen so the Government is preparing things for the younger generation to takeover.
“It is not enough to be merely academically qualified but you must also be qualified in terms of appreciation of values and universal principals of humanity because these will determine your self-determination,” he said.
He explained that this means that a person becomes free to take control of their destiny and to make responsible decisions.
“You are now in the midst of your people who are searching for a new identity comprising of integrity, justice, freedom, not individualism and the concern to build peace, only great men and women can do this,” President Momis said.
President Momis also congratulated the graduating students on coming thus far and told them that education does not end but is a lifelong endeavor.
29.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Handover Takeover
Anthony Kaybing
The Autonomous Bougainville Government Cabinet formally assumed their new ministerial portfolios today as part of the new restructure that sees the reorganization of the Bougainville Public Service.
ABG President Chief Dr John Momis urged the Ministers of his cabinet to collaboratively take control and issue directives that must be adhered to by the public service.
“If people do not want to adhere to the legitimated instructions by the ministers then I am prepared to accept their resignations,” the President warned.
“For too long we have been condoning underperformance and in some cases deliberate acts of insubordination from public servants who are consistently and systematically misbehaving within the Public Service,” President Momis said.
President Momis also encouraged his ministers to build a rapport with the departmental secretaries of their respective ministries to ensure cooperation and efficient service delivery.
The President said with Bougainville reduced to basic humanity during the Crises it is the responsibility of the leaders to work twice as hard to ensure the people of Bougainville receive good services from the government.
The President said the ABG and the Bougainville Administration must work together in a united fashion to project an image of a team that can confront issues and find solutions.
The Ministerial Portfolios of the ABG Cabinet in its present form stands as;
John L Momis Department of the President and Bougainville Executive Council
President
Patrick Nisira Department of Police and Corrections
Vice President
Rev. Joseph Nopei Department of Justice and the Principal Legal Adviser
Minister for Justice
Albert Punghau Department of Treasury and Finance
Minister for Treasury and Finance
Joel Banam Department of Administrative Services
Minister for Administrative Services
Michael Oni Department of Mineral Resources and Energy
Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy
Luke Karaston Department of Technical Services
Minister for Technical Services
Rose Pihei Department of Health
Minister for Health
John Tabaniman Department of Education
Minister for Education
David Sisito Department of Community Government
Minister for Community Government
Melchior Dare Department of Community Development
Minister for Community Development
Nicholas Daku Department of Primary Industries
Minister for Primary Industries
Wilfred Komba Department of Commerce and Tourism
Minister for Commerce and Tourism
Newton Kauva Department of Lands, Physical Planning, Environment and Conservation
Minister for Lands, Physical Planning,
Environment and Conservation
ABG Vice President Patrick Nisira on behalf of the Ministers thanked the President on his confidence in his ministers and pledged their support to President Momis.
29.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
TUIRUMA DEFERED AGAIN
By Aloysius Laukai
The cultural show, TUIRUMA FESTIVAL that was to be opened in Buin this Wednesday has been deferred to a later date.
According to the Chairman of the festival, CHRIS SIMBA the festival had to be deferred due to cultural due to some uncompleted buildings at the festival grounds.
He said once these traditional buildings are completed they will then announce the new date for the festival hopefully in November of this year.
MR. SIMBA said that according to the BUIN tradition the drum has to be housed in a special building and that building must be done according to the culture.
He said according to the building prepared for the festival, that Round house built earlier must be removed and a proper one built for the festival.
The chairman has apologized to the public for the inconvenience caused by this change.
New Dawn FM understands that the special building called APAITO in the Telei language can be built in just two weeks.
28.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
LANDOWNERS SUPPORT MOMIS
By Aloysius Laukai
Panguna landowners from the nine Panguna Mine affected landowner Associations today called on the Board of Jubilee, Australia Research office to apologize to them for presenting a wrong, misleading and divisive picture of the issue of Mining in Panguna.
In a signed letter addressed to the Jubilee Research Office in Sydney all the nine chairmen’s signed and questioned why Jubilee did the research secretly.
They claimed that whoever who did the research does not know a lot of what the report discusses.
They said that their associations were set up after long consultations involving our people and our Autonomous Bougainville Government, beginning in 2009.
And the Executives were voted in 2012.
Those who signed the letter, were Benardine Kira, Chairlady for Lower Tailings Association, Theresa Jaintong OBE Chairlady for Siokatei Association, Jude Genu Chairman of Uruawa/Rorovana Association, John Simiko Chairman South West Coastal Corridor, Lawrence Daveona, Chairman Special Mine Lease Association, Lawrence Uakai Chairman Bolave Fish Owners Association, Paul Tavuio, Chairman Mid Tailings Association, Michael Pariu Chairman Upper Tailings Association and PETER MIRIONA chairman, Port Mine Access Road Association.
Earlier this week the ABG President, Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS also described this same report as misleading and irresponsible AND warned Jubilee Australia Board to bear the responsibility for allowing such a misleading document to be released and for limiting and redressing the damage it can cause.
28.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
MOMIS CONGRATULATES BUIN SECONDARY SCHOOL GRADUATES
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The ABG president Chief Dr. John Momis has congratulated the teachers and graduating students of Buin Secondary School for a successful ending of many years of formation and education.
When addressing the grade ten and twelve graduates at the Buin Secondary School Hall yesterday, he told them that they are now as well prepared as possible to take their place in the world.
He stressed to the students that they should now walk out of that institution or school without fear as they are now in a position to learn more and grapple in a responsible way, with any challenges that might come before them as they face the outside world.
He pointed out to them also that a true leader is not somebody who looks for the easy way out but is somebody who accepts responsibility to deal with the reality of the situation.
The president explained that Bougainville is now in a difficult situation because in the past Bougainville used to be amongst the top provinces in Papua New Guinea in terms of education as a result of the crisis.
He said this is not the time now to mourn and complain as our challenge now is to accept the situation as it is and make a difference by changing it.
Chief Momis then told the grade ten and twelve graduates that their education has now made them effective agents of change and therefore they must now go out into the world and work with willing partners such as churches, NGO’s, their parents, chiefs and others to make Bougainville a better place.
28.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ABG’S BIG ACHIEVEMENT
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The ABG peace and reconciliation division has revealed that seventy per cent of all registered reconciliations being witnessed by the peace division since the coming of the Momis government in 2010 was a big achievement for the ABG.
The director Nick Peniai said the ABG through his office has achieved seventy per cent of all reconciliations in Bougainville and ten percent was achieved by former governments which now stand at eighty per cent of all reconciliations.
Speaking during the reconciliation ceremony at Tiobuhin village assembly on Wednesday, he told the gathering that this was a big achievement by the Momis government through the peace and reconciliation office.
The reconciliation ceremony took place between the leaders of the seven churches in the Tiobuhin village assembly and was witnessed by the Taonita/Tinputz member David Brown, peace and reconciliation director Nick Peniai, other invited guests and the people of Tiobuhin village assembly.
Mr. Peniai said as director of peace and reconciliation, he is witnessing for the first time a programme being held to reconcile church leaders in one particular district.
He added that such a reconciliation is the first ever on record and he is very happy that the people of Tiobuhin village assembly have in fact lead the way for other areas in Bougainville to follow suit in their example.
28.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
DPI NOT DOING ITS JOB
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The division of primary industries is not doing its job in informing the people of Bougainville about food security.
This concern was revealed to New Dawn Fm by a concerned citizen yesterday saying the people of Bougainville can and will go hungry because the division of primary industries is not doing its job in informing the people as to what type of food they should plant the whole year round during the wet and dry seasons.
Peter Koveo said and yet they are promoting food security but are doing nothing to teach the people about it.
28.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
STATE FUNERAL FOR DR. SAREI
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The late Dr. Alexis Holyweek Sarei was given a State Funeral today by the ABG president chief Dr. John Momis, his vice president Patrick Nisira and the members of the Bougainville House of Representatives.
Their formal and official goodbyes to the late Dr. Sarei were done in the Bougainville parliamentary chamber this morning.
When formally and officially bidding the former premier of the former North Solomons Government farewell in the chamber, the ABG speaker Andrew Miriki in his address said that the people of Bougainville recognize his contribution to Bougainville as a true son of Bougainville.
He said Dr. Sarei has demonstrated true leadership in all levels and he has left behind a legacy.
He added that what he has done has now become history to be recorded.
The ABG members who conveyed their condolences to the family of the Late Dr. Alexis Sarei and bade him goodbye were, the ABG president Chief Dr. John Momis, his vice president Patrick Nisira, finance minister Albert Punghau, education minister John Tabinaman, the national member for North Bougainville Louta Atoi, community development minister Melchior Dare, minister for works and technical services Luke Karaston, member for Hagogohe Peter Sohia, member for North Nasioi Nicholas Dakku and member for Makis constituency Newton Kauba.
After the official and final farewell by the members of the Bougainville House of Representatives in the parliamentary chamber, the casket of the Late Dr. Alexis Sarei was taken to the Hahela Catholic church for funeral services.
Pictured is the Casket being brought to the ABG Chamber
President Momis also pays his final respect to late DR SAREI
Speaker Andrew Miriki paying his last respect at the ABG House
28.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
CURRENT LEADERS MUST DO THEIR BEST
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Our current leaders of today, especially the members of the Bougainville House of representatives were reminded today to do their best.
This message was brought across to the members during the state funeral ceremony at the parliamentary chamber by the vice president Patrick Nisira.
When officially bidding farewell to the late Dr. Alexis Sarei, he said today as we mourn we must remember the service that Dr. Sarei has contributed to Bougainville and the work he has done.
He added that this state funeral is given to the man who fought for the rights of our children which is a big thing.
He then pointed out that the leadership of today is based on the leadership of former leaders who are now gone.
Mr. Nisira then reminded the leaders of today that the foundation was set by former leaders and as leaders; they need to learn from these great leaders.
He said these leaders have shown us a simple lesson, they have done their best and now we must do our best so that the chain will bring us to our destiny.
The president who was the last to speak revealed that Dr. Sarei answered the call to serve as a priest and later as a politician.
He added that the late Dr. Sarei got these jobs to serve the people of Bougainville and whom he served well.
Chief Momis said it is not easy to answer to the call to serve and even though his health was not that good, he came back from the US to serve the people of Bougainville.
He stated that he was faithful to serve; he has run the race and finally assured his family that he has run the race and he deserves to receive a trophy for all he has done.
26.09.2014
Source: Bougainville24
Buin faces difficulties from heavy rainfall
By Benjamin Heriberth Noibio
South Bougainville is currently experiencing excessive rainfall and the climate of this area has come to a point where rain is continuing almost every day.
On lucky days the sun may be shining on lucky days and on lucky nights the moon may be smiling and the stars may be coloring the skies, but they are dark almost every day.
‘It will rain’ is an expression which sooner or later will become axiom of south Bougainville.
The resultant flood waters cause destruction to bridges along the roads and they endanger the lives of people, especially primary school students who inevitably must cross the river to school.
Recently the Loluai River in the Kieta frontier has caused massive destruction to a cocoa plantation, which triggered landowners along the river to take extra precautions from the insidious river.
Loluai is already one of the big rivers in Bougainville and the continuous rain added to the flow, which led to destruction.
This hinders people from travelling, including the movement of goods and services in the area and the sale of cash crops.362-buin-umbrella
The rain also ruins the production of cash crops, such as cocoa and copra. When it rains excessively water fills up and kills any sprouting plants. This leads to an upsurge in hunger across the area, the worst effect of the wet season.
Families are facing a food crisis and are desperate at the moment stating that they have nothing left the gardens because of this excessive rain.
The inherent danger of continuous rain has become a part of life for the people. Some victims of the season suggested it brought their minds the story of Noah and the great flood.
26.09.2014
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Bougainville landowners say NGO should be ashamed
The nine landowner associations around the Panguna mine in Papua New Guinea's Bougainville are mystified by claims local villagers oppose a return to mining.
The NGO, Jubilee Australia, spoke to 65 villagers and says many remain traumatised by the civil war, have not been properly consulted and do not back a return to large scale mining.
But the nine landowner groups say the research is wrong and Jubilee Australia should be ashamed.
Therese Jaintong is the chair of one of the groups, the Siokatei Association.
She says if they were critiquing why did they not check with the landowner groups, which have strong support around the mine site.
"That is our concern. If some people are speaking against us, we are hearing loud and clear, but the majority have spoken through the regional forums. We feel that we are doing everything right on the ground. We are not leaving any stone unturned. We are consulting with our people, widely."
Therese Jaintong, the chair of the Siokatei Association on Bougainville
26.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Alluvial gold lures girls out of classes
By Romulus Masiu
MANY school-age girls in the Panguna and Bana districts of Bougainville are not attending school, say authorities.
The girls are engaged in the lucrative gold mining business – panning the length and breadth of Panguna rivers, among the tailings from the decommissioned Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) mine.
Instead of attending school young girls and boys can be seen panning for gold with their parents and elderly relatives along the Jaba and Kavarong Rivers tailings.
According to school authorities, the number of enrolment for the students in the alluvial mining areas has dropped dramatically because of gold discoveries in the tailings.
When asked why they are panning for gold instead to going to school, one girl replied, "so that we can have money at the end of the day, when attending school, we get nothing, no money."
Since the BCL operations at the Panguna mine, there is no land for subsistence farming as all the land has been dug up and forest and rivers destroyed.
This has forced the people to resort to gold panning to buy store goods to feed their families.
A grade five student said they felt sorry for their parents and followed them because panning is labour-intensive and they needed all the help they could get.
Education authorities have acknowledged that they have a growing problem because more and more children are flocking to the gold fields where returns are high.
ESBC's comment: For one kilogramm of gold, diggers need to use minimum one kilogramm of highly toxic mercury! No wonder that even tuna and other fish from the Pacific are poisened. But PNG's Mining Minister Byron Chan is happy and thrilled while proclaiming that alluvial mining in PNG earns an export revenue of nearly Kina 400 million per year! How ignorant, naive or stupid can a Minister in PNG be? By the way: the gold stolen by these youngsters in and around Panguna is BCL's property and PNG's property as well. PNG is with about 20 percent a major shareholder of BCL! Quite obviously Mr. Chan is not aware of this fact. Poor thing!
25.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier - Courtesy of radio Australia
Momis Slams reports of Australian company on Panguna
Bougainville president has slammed a report launched by the Greens about the reopening of the Panguna Mine.
A report by the Jubilee Australia Research Centre was launched in Parliament this week by Senator Larissa Waters, the Greens spokeswoman on mining, women and the environment.
The report surveyed 65 people living near the mine and all of them opposed the reopening of the mine by Australian company Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL), whose parent company is Rio Tinto
Bougainville president John Momis said the report was "deeply flawed" and the 100 per cent opposition suggests those interviewed were selected for their views.
In a statement released in August, the mining giant said it would review its majority stake in its subsidiary BCL.
The move follows the adoption of a new draft mining law by the Autonomous Bougainville Government, which stripped BCL of any mining rights.
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.
Momis stated that the mine is considered a crucial part of Bougainville's referendum on independence, to be held in the next five years.
25.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BOUGAINVILLE RECONCILIATIONS HAVE BEEN COMMERCIALIZED
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Reconciliations in Bougainville now a days have all been commercialized as all reconciliations require money in order for it to take place.
This message was brought across to the people of Tiobuhin village assembly yesterday by the member for Taonita/Tinputz David Brown.
He told his people that they are showing a good example by not asking him for money to reconcile because they are reconciling with their hearts.
He added that so many people are fronting up at the peace office and asking for money for reconciliations which never take place because the money is always misused.
Mr. Brown said Tinputz district has also misused such money and no reconciliation ever took place
He pointed out that Tiobuhin village assembly sought no financial assistance and therefore when we plan reconciliations, we must not focus our minds on money.
He added that when we plan reconciliations and turn our minds away from money, God will provide and he is very happy that what they witnessed yesterday shows that the people at Tiobuhin are concerned about their village assembly.
25.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
FIRST VILLAGE ASSEMBLY TO MOVE FORWARD
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The Tiobuhin Village Assembly in the Taonita/Tinputz district is the first village assembly to move forward with their reconciliations in order to unite its people.
The reconciliations took place yesterday, starting with the seven churches in that village assembly and was witnessed by members of the ABG government.
The member for Taonita/Tinputz David Brown who was also present for that special occasion saluted the people of Tiobuhin saying the action that they have taken is the way forward for them.
He stressed that if they want development and change to take place in their assembly, the first people to come together and acknowledge themselves are the church leaders.
He said this is the foundation as all other reconciliations will then fall in line when the people who are looking after the sheep have become one.
As their leader Mr. Brown is very happy that the people at Tiobuhin are implementing the number one pillar which is unity that he and his people are pushing for.
He pointed out that no development will ever take place if the people are not united.
He then told the people at Tiobuhin that what Tiobuhin village assembly is doing and the seed that they have planted will be heard of by other village assemblies across the region.
25.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
PRESIDENT MOMIS ATTENDS BUIN SECONDARY SCHOOL’S GRADUATION
By Aloysius Laukai
The ABG President, Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS today attended the Grade Ten and Twelve students graduation at the Buin Secondary School in South Bougainville.
The school had its graduation ahead of the Grade ten and Twelve final exams which starts next Tuesday.
Most schools throughout Bougainville had their graduations ahead of the final exams with Asitavi Girls High School having its Grade Ten graduation just after the Grade Ten final Exam on Friday October, 10th, 2014.
According to the Principal of the School, TONY MALAMO the presence of the President added value to the school’s 2014, graduation.
The Graduation was also attended by the UNDP Bougainville Technical Officer, ANTHONY AGYENTA.
New Dawn FM will put stories from the Buin Secondary School graduation tomorrow.
Graduants at the Graduation ceremony
President Momis attending the Buin Secondary School Graduation today
25.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BOUGAINVILLE WOMEN MEMBERS VISIT AUSTRALIA
By Dfat Media/ Aloysius Laukai
Women parliamentarians from Bougainville and Australia are meeting in Canberra this week to share knowledge, build links and contribute to the development of parliamentary democracy in the Pacific.
Minister for Health, Rose Pihei, who represents the women of South Bougainville the Hon. Joan Jerome representing the women of Central Bougainville in the ABG and the Hon. Elizabeth Burain representing the women of North Bougainville have travelled to Australia under the Pacific Parliamentary Partnerships program to observe Australian Parliament and meet with women federal and state MPs including the Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Bronwyn Bishop.
The MPs said that they’re looking forward to discussions with Australian parliamentarians on Bougainville’s economic development and peace building, and building greater opportunities for women’s leadership.
The three Members of the Autonomous Bougainville Government House of Representatives met with Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Deborah Stokes, in Port Moresby on their way to Australia.
The Pacific Parliamentary Partnerships program brings together parliaments and supporters of parliamentary democracy across the Pacific region. The program aims to build the capacity of women parliamentarians in the Pacific, the institutions in which they work and the staff who support them, so that women parliamentarians can exert their influence to their maximum ability, and raise issues that affect other women and their families in their constituencies.
The program is funded under the Australian Government’s Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development Initiative. The 10-year initiative recognises that women’s influence through leadership positions is vital if Pacific women are to participate as equals in the development of their countries.
25.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bouganiville
PRESIDENT RESPONDS TO JUBILEE
Jubilee Australia Report ‘Irresponsible’: Bougainville President
The President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ABG), the Honourable Chief John Momis, has attacked a recent Jubilee Australia report on Bougainville’s Panguna mine, describing it as misleading and irresponsible.
The mine, operated by Bougainville Copper Ltd (53 per cent owned by Rio Tino) at Panguna, in Bougainville, from 1972 to 1989, when it was closed by violent conflict. It has not reopened since.
The Report has been released by Jubilee (www.jubileeaustralia.org/page/resources) and will be launched at public functions in Sydney on Thursday 25 September and in Parliament House in Canberra by Christine Milne, Leader of the Greens, on Friday 26th.
The President said: ‘The Report is factually inaccurate, biased, methodologically unsound, and dishonest in claiming that interviews with 65 individuals selected by its authors from the 10,000 or so people in the affected areas allows it to represent the voices of them and the 300,000 people of Bougainville.’
The Jubilee Report claims that the voices of mine-affected communities ‘have been distant from recent public discussion’ about the possible reopening of the Panguna, closed since 1989 as a result of the Bougainville conflict. The Report is critical of ABG consultation with landowners which Jubilee suggests have largely excluded communities around the mine.
‘Far from being excluded, affected landowners have been at the centre of all discussions regarding Panguna since they commenced in 2009’, said President Momis.
‘There may indeed be individuals who have not been able to, or have chosen not to, participate in consultations. In part this reflects the ABG’s extremely limited resources, and the real barriers of geography and politics that we face, including an armed dissident road block which has restricted access to the Panguna area for 17 years.
‘But the ABG and representative landowner associations have gone to great lengths to overcome these barriers, undertaking numerous consultations at village and regional levels and with all major Bougainvillean stakeholders.
‘The overwhelming response is support for reopening the mine, but only if it can be done in a way that avoids the extremely negative effects of earlier mining and ensures that Bougainvilleans receive a fair share of mining’s benefits’, said President Momis.
‘But’, he said, ‘all the 65 individuals selected by Jubilee for interview are reported to be against reopening the mine. Such an outcome does not seem credible unless the researchers interviewed only people that they knew opposed mining.’
Jubilee statements to the press go further, claiming ‘near unanimity among the Pangunans that they do not want mining’. President Momis said: ‘This being an area where mining caused great harm, there are individuals and some communities who oppose mining. But nothing in Jubilee’s Report substantiates this gross overgeneralization and misrepresentation’.
President Momis refuted Jubilee’s allegations that the ABG has ‘initiated a campaign to reopen the Panguna mine’. He said: ‘If the strict conditions sought by the landowners and the ABG cannot be satisfied, the ABG will not allow the mine to be reopened’.
The President has today written to the Board of Jubilee Australia (letter attached) saying: ‘The Jubilee Report is deeply flawed. Jubilee Australia’s Board bears responsibility for allowing such a misleading and irresponsible document to be released, and for limiting and redressing the damage it can cause.’
Chief John L. Momis President Autonomous Region of Bougainville 24 September 2014
25.09.2014
Source Post-Courier
ABG, Aust leaders meet
WOMEN parliamentarians from Bougainville and Australia are meeting in Canberra this week to share knowledge, build links and contribute to the development of parliamentary democracy in the Pacific.
ABG Minister Rose Pihei, Joan Jerome and Elizabeth Burain have travelled to Australia under the Pacific parliamentary partnerships program to observe Australian Parliament and meet with women federal and state MPs, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Bronwyn Bishop.
The women leaders said they are looking forward to discussions with Australian parliamentarians on Bougainville’s economic development and peace building, and building greater opportunities for women in Bougainville.
25.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bouganiville
BOUGAINVILLE WOMEN MEMBERS VISIT AUSTRALIA
By Dfat Media/ Aloysius Laukai
Women parliamentarians from Bougainville and Australia are meeting in Canberra this week to share knowledge, build links and contribute to the development of parliamentary democracy in the Pacific.
Minister for Health, Rose Pihei, who represents the women of South Bougainville the Hon. Joan Jerome representing the women of Central Bougainville in the ABG and the Hon. Elizabeth Burain representing the women of North Bougainville have travelled to Australia under the Pacific Parliamentary Partnerships program to observe Australian Parliament and meet with women federal and state MPs including the Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Bronwyn Bishop.
The MPs said that they’re looking forward to discussions with Australian parliamentarians on Bougainville’s economic development and peace building, and building greater opportunities for women’s leadership.
The three Members of the Autonomous Bougainville Government House of Representatives met with Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Deborah Stokes, in Port Moresby on their way to Australia.
The Pacific Parliamentary Partnerships program brings together parliaments and supporters of parliamentary democracy across the Pacific region. The program aims to build the capacity of women parliamentarians in the Pacific, the institutions in which they work and the staff who support them, so that women parliamentarians can exert their influence to their maximum ability, and raise issues that affect other women and their families in their constituencies.
The program is funded under the Australian Government’s Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development Initiative. The 10-year initiative recognises that women’s influence through leadership positions is vital if Pacific women are to participate as equals in the development of their countries.
25.09.2014
Source: Bougainville24
Bougainville and Australian women MPs to meet in Canberra
Women parliamentarians from Bougainville and Australia are meeting in Canberra this week to share knowledge, build links and contribute to the development of parliamentary democracy in the Pacific.
Minister Rose Pihei, the Hon. Joan Jerome and the Hon. Elizabeth Burain have travelled to Australia under the Pacific Parliamentary Partnerships program to observe Australian Parliament and meet with women federal and state MPs including the Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Bronwyn Bishop.
The MPs said that they’re looking forward to discussions with Australian parliamentarians on Bougainville’s economic development and peace building, and building greater opportunities for women’s leadership.
The three Members of the Autonomous Bougainville Government House of Representatives met with Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Deborah Stokes, in Port Moresby on their way to Australia.
The Pacific Parliamentary Partnerships program brings together parliaments and supporters of parliamentary democracy across the Pacific region. The program aims to build the capacity of women parliamentarians in the Pacific, the institutions in which they work and the staff who support them, so that women parliamentarians can exert their influence to their maximum ability, and raise issues that affect other women and their families in their constituencies.
The program is funded under the Australian Government’s Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development Initiative. The 10-year initiative recognises that women’s influence through leadership positions is vital if Pacific women are to participate as equals in the development of their countries.
25.09.2014
Source Post-Courier
Speaker: Sarei one of our finest leaders
By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS
THE Speaker of the Bougainville House of Representatives, Andrew Miriki has sent his condolences to the family and friends of the late Alexis Sarei who died on Monday.
“On behalf of all staff and members of the Bougainville House of Representatives, we sincerely tender our deepest sympathy for the untimely death of Dr Sarei,” Mr Miriki said in a statement yesterday.
“I have the highest pride of him as one of Bougainville’s finest leaders who served the then North Solomon Province with distinction as district commissioner, president of the secessionist republic of North Solomons and as premier.
“He also served as the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and I as the Speaker of Bougainville’s legislature chair meetings in the house where he as a former member elect for Peit Constituency has contributed constructively to debates on Bougainville affairs.”
The Speaker said because of Mr Sarei’s vast experience, Parliament also appointed him as chairperson for the parliamentary sectoral and advisory committee on local level governments and customary authority in which he was to employ his experience with his unique set up of the Hanatei Soing Council of Elders (COE) and influence the pathway for other COE’s in the region.
He said the late Mr Sarei, like others before him, fought for liberation and progress and was a friend and a fighter who inspired the struggle of the Bougainville people against outside influence during his leadership.
“To those that do not know him well, Dr Sarei is admired for his continuous and tremendous international stand on the cause for the Bougainville people,” said the Speaker.
“Today we grive the great loss of a leader who if alive would continually contribute immensely towards Bougainville’s journey to referendum.”
Mr Miriki said there cannot be an exact match of another Mr Sarei but one thing is certain; “let us be unified, learn from his example and triple out efforts in our struggle to liberate Bougainville.
“To the immediate family of Dr Sarei, we pray that God will give you strength during this time of bereavement,” said Mr Miriki.
Mr Sarei died in the early hours of 22 September, Monday, 2014. He leaves behind a loving family and truly indebted Bouganville nation.
25.09.2014
Source: PNG Attitude
John Momis shirtfronts Jubilee Australia over “biased report”
by KEITH JACKSON
BOUGAINVILLE president Dr John Momis has strongly rebuked the Jubilee Australia organisation for claiming that opposition to re-opening the Panguna copper and gold mine is “near universal”.
On its website (Click on the picture!), Jubilee Australia says its mission is to “promote accountability for the causes of poverty and injustice in the Asia Pacific” and “elevate the voice of affected communities”.
Earlier this year it conducted a survey of 65 people in the Panguna area and has just published a report entitled Voices of Bougainville.
In a letter obtained by PNG Attitude, Dr Momis calls the report “factually inaccurate, biased, methodologically unsound and dishonest in claiming that interviews with 65 individuals selected by its authors allows it to represent the voices of 300,000 Bougainvilleans.”
Dr Momis added that these failures “have been compounded by even more inaccurate public statements about the Report and its findings made by Jubilee Chief Executive, Brynnie Goodwill.”
He said that many of the “grave errors in the report could have been avoided had those involved in the work simply consulted the elected and representative Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG).”
“The most fundamental and also dishonest aspect of the Jubilee research,” Dr Momis said, “is to claim, as it does in the title, to represent Voices of Bougainville.
“The research interviewed just 65 people in the Panguna mine lease areas that have an estimated population of perhaps 10,000. It failed to speak with people from any other part of Bougainville, all of whom were of course affected by the Bougainville conflict.
“Use of the title Voices of Bougainville constitutes misrepresentation of a serious and indeed dangerous sort.”
In his long response to Jubilee Australia’s report (we link below to both report and response), Dr Momis questioned the integrity of the research itself.
“There are clear indications that the research methodology used was … designed to bring about a specific result,” he said.
“In particular, the choice of people to interview was not based on any scientific sampling technique. Rather the researchers approached ‘culturally appropriate gatekeepers … identified on the basis of the researchers’ customary knowledge of villagers … and through guidance from local contacts …’
“We are not told the identity of the ‘local contacts’ or ‘village gatekeepers’.
“Against this background, I strongly suspect that the researchers contacted people they knew were opposed to mining and that these contacts, not unnaturally, suggested participants that they too knew were opposed to mining.
“This is the only credible explanation as to how 65 of 65 interviewees would all express opposition to mining.”
Dr Momis concluded his rebuttal by writing that “the Jubilee Report is deeply flawed” and that “Jubilee Australia’s Board bears responsibility for allowing such a misleading and irresponsible document to be released, and for limiting and redressing the damage it can cause.”
Download President John Momis's response to the Jubilee Australia report!
25.09.2014
Source Post-Courier
Bougainville Kangu border post starts operations
By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS
THE Papua New Guinea Customs Service, in efforts to bring services closer to the people has started operating at the Kangu border post in Buin, South Bougainville this month.
The organisation is among other government agencies tasked with managing the country’s borders to ensure people are able to travel at ease while observing our laws.
PNG Customs manager in Bougainville John Kiu said as a government agency, they are mandated with the primary functions and responsibilities to facilitate movement of trade and travel between our borders and to protect us from intrusion of illicit goods and other harmful threats and risks.
The border to the Solomon Islands: The Kangu wharf near Buin
They also collect revenue through duties and taxes on all imports and exports.
He said this is part of the Government’s efforts in bringing back services to Bougainville since establishing an office in Buka and Arawa in 2005 and now they have established another office at Kangu in Buin.
“In the next few months the agency will carry out specific awareness and other advocacy activities to ensure more people and individuals in Buin report to PNG Customs and are voluntarily compliant when intending to travel across the border,” he said.
“Taking this challenge with commitment will certainly bring in the required level of managing our border in an effort to get the attention to Kangu where the national Government and the ABG are looking at the long term future development for relevant authorities to venture into,” said Mr Kiu
The Buin Kangu office is located opposite Monties Guest House and it will be manned by two officers to provide services for the people in South Bougainville.
The PNG Customs Service has recently been promoted to an authority level.
25.09.2014
Source Post-Courier
NGI nurses query election hold up
By ROMULUS MASIU
THE New Guinea Islands Nurses Association is calling on authorities of the Papua New Guinea Nurses Association (PNGNA) to clarify why there was no general election this year.
Former New Guinea Islands nurses’ association representative Michael Lekara wants to know what is causing the hold up for the PNGNA general elections, as the time of the general elections has already lapsed.
The PNGNA general election was supposed to be held in March this year with polling scheduled from March to April. According to Mr Lekara counting was supposed to be held in the last week of April and the declaration of results on May.
“This did not eventuate. What is causing the hold up? Can authorities explain to us please? We are in the dark,” Mr Lekara said on behalf of all the nurses in the NGI region.
Mr Lekara is now calling on the industrial registral office to step in and find out from the acting general secretary for PNGNA Jacklyn Koakingson what the hold up is and why the general elections did not take place.
“We are in total darkness. Please shed some light on the issue. We want to know why there was no election held this year as gazetted,” Mr Lekara said. He also added that the acting general secretary for PNG Nurses Association must explain.
24.09.2014
Source; Radio New Zealand International
Claims about Bougainville mining deeply flawed - Momis
Bougainville's President, John Momis, says an NGO's report calling for the government in the autonomous Papua New Guinea province to drop plans to resume mining, is deeply flawed.
Jubilee Australia issued the report, called Voices of Bougainville, based on interviews with people living near the Panguna mine.
It suggests people in the area are deeply unhappy about talk of a return to mining.
It says people remain traumatised and their voices have not been heard.
But Mr Momis says the extrapolation of 63 voices to speak for all of Bougainville is irresponsible.
He says the affected landowners have been at the centre of all discussions regarding Panguna for five years.
Mr Momis says the overwhelming response is support for reopening, but only if it can avoid the extremely negative effects of earlier mining and ensures Bougainvilleans receive a fair share of the benefits.
And Mr Momis says it is not true the ABG has initiated a campaign to reopen the Panguna mine, as Jubilee claims.
He says if the strict conditions sought by the landowners and the ABG cannot be satisfied, it will not happen.
24.09.2014
Source: EMTV
ALLUVIAL MINING TO GAIN RECOGNITION
BY EDWIN FIDELIS – EM TV, LAE
Alluvial mining in Papua New Guinea is seen as the poor cousin to hard rock mining. Over the years, little attention has been given to this sector.
At a convention today in Lae, hosted by the Mineral Resources Authority, Mining Minister Biron Chan said the contribution of alluvial mining to PNG’s economy has not been given the recognition it deserved.
"The government usually thinks about the big mining industry but the small alluvial miners of our country contributes up to K400 million," the Mining Minister said.
While the government plans to support the alluvial mining sector, the Mining Minister said the government has another backlog of mining issues to deal with.
One such issue is the Misima gold mine in the Milne Bay province whose economy is now driven by alluvial mining.
Twenty years of mining operations on the island has left little for the Misima people.
"We are assessing the Misima mining issues and hopefully we'll send over a team in the near future," Chan said.
Mr Chan fell short of commenting further on Misima but said the issue is a sad story.
The Mineral Resources Authority, meanwhile, wants to make sure that those who are facing the impact of mining operations are at an advantage, even at the end of mining activities.
While only a few landowner groups are gaining the recognition they deserve, there are many others like the Misima people whose stories remained untold.
24.09.2014
Source: Bougainville24
The push for a school to honour the first President
By Leonard Fong Roka
The people in the Upper Tailings of the Panguna lease area have long pushed to establish a primary school in memory of the late Joseph Kabui who was from the area.
Behind the project are the former leader’s relatives from his Enamira communities.
According to Clement Nabiau, the champion of the school project that is now operating as the Darenai Primary School (Location 2), the community is well behind the initiative to honour the deceased leader.
“This is where [Kabui] grew up and entered politics in the late 1980s,” Nabiau said.
“As his people we are obliged to honour his mark in the political history of Bougainville.”
“He championed the peace process on the island and paved the way for Bougainville to hold a referendum to determine it political future.”
The community of Enamira first started ambitious project in 2003 and built a bush-material hut to accommodate young students for elementary classes, but it was abandoned when drunkards burned the building.
In 2004 the community again contributed timber and roofing iron and moved the facility to its current location of Kabaronau on the main Nagovis-Panguna highway that was home to the late leader’s mother and other family members.
“From contributed building materials we erected a 3-in-1 classroom and a single staff house,” Nabiau continued.
“The classroom took up the disturbed elementary classes for young students.”
At the same time the school board initiated a negotiation to amalgamate with Darenai Primary School. Thus Darenai provided its lower classes of Grade 3 in 2004. In 2005 Grade 4 was added with other infrastructure development supported by the Ioro ABG member at the time, the now deceased Dr. Benedict Pisi, followed on by Grade 5 in 2006.
In 2010 the location graduated its first Grade 8 class though under Darenai Primary School.
Infrastructure development had been a main focus so far. The community built extra classrooms and staff houses with financial earnings from their fundraising drives that included food sales, a car wash and even hosting mini-bazaar (pictured) events.
“What we do is use our effort and initiative to advance and honour our elder,” Nabiau said.
“There is government input and still we need more from the government and other ordinary people and organisations from within Panguna District.”
Kabaronau or Darenai Primary School (Location 2) will be running a mini-sport bazaar this Christmas break driven by its long-term vision to become a Joseph Kabui Memorial Primary School.
24.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
President Momis attacks report
BOUGAINVILLE President John Momis has attacked a report on the decommissioned Panguna mine, describing it "misleading and irresponsible".
The report by Jubilee Australia will be launched in Sydney tomorrow and tabled in the Australian parliament in Canberra on Friday by the Australian Greens Party leader Christine Milne.
Mr Momis said the report was "factually inaccurate, biased and methodologically unsound".
He said it was "dishonest in claiming that interviews with 65 individuals selected by its authors from the 10,000 or so people in the affected areas allows it to represent the voices of them and the 300,000 people of Bougainville".
The report claims the voices of mine-affected communities "have been distant from recent public discussion" about the possible reopening of the Panguna and was critical of Bougainville government consultations with landowner which Jubilee suggested had largely excluded communities around the mine.
"Far from being excluded, affected landowners have been at the centre of all discussions regarding Panguna since they commenced in 2009," Mr Momis said.
24.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Homebrew problems on rise in Bougainville
By ROMULUS MASIU
HOMEBREW consumption in Bougainville is on the rise, authorities say.
Chief executive officer of law and justice in the Bougainville administration Ephraim Eminoni said students have been identified as the biggest culprits followed by village youths and everyone else in district headquarters such as Buka, Kokopau, Arawa and Buin.
He said the youths in districts are engaged exclusively in the brewing of the liquor to make money.
Mr Eminoni said yesterday that drinking in public places was a growing concern for authorities.
"Drinking in public places and selling homebrew are booming in hotspots like Kokopau, Buka, Arawa and even Buin," Mr Eminoni said.
He said the Bougainville Police Service needs public service assistance to contain the brewing, consumption and distribution of illegal alcohol in towns and villages.
He said another problem facing the youth is the abuse of marijuana.
He said the province’s prison cells were filling up fast with those involved in the abuse of drugs and consumption of homebrew.
Mr Eminoni urged the police to deliver the policing services to the people who have high expectations of law and order services.
Acting Police Chief Superintendent Paul Kamuai said police needed more money and resources to effectively tackle these problems.
24.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Youths attend training
By ROMULUS MASIU
ARAWA urban youths were very impressed and pleased to be given the opportunity to attend a leadership training to build capacity for peer educators under the care international program.
The week-long training was hosted at Tunuru mission in Kieta district last week with 20 young people participating – 14 males and six females.
The bonus of the training was the presence of deputy town mayor Paul Nakara, who threw his full support behind the young people and encouraged them through observing the whole two weeks.
Along with Mr Nakara was chief Mark Niniku who also observed and trained with the youths.
At the closing of the workshop, the participants spoke highly of the training, saying that never in their life time they participated in such training that really helped them to understand more aspects of life that is surrounding them.
One youth Ignatius Pomaleo said: "I am really thankful for this training as it taught us our roles and responsibilities in our community and too what is meant by good governance and accountability."
Another youth leader, Josephine Mekea, said such leadership training is really needed to promote and will give better understanding to our communities on how and ways to make our community work together with more problems reduced.
"Sexual reproductive health issues must not go unnoticed before our leaders, others we will regret it because it might be too late," another youth participant Rosemary Onaisi said at the closing ceremony.
24.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Prominent Bougainville leader passes on
By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS
Late Dr Alexis Sarei in the 1970’s.
POLITICIAN, clan leader, father, grandfather and uncle to many, Sir Alexis Holyweek Sarei, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday morning. He was 80.
He had been sick for some time.
Born on March 25, 1934, to Joseph Nambong and Joanna Mota, Sir Alexis attended primary and secondary schools on Bougainville from 1949 to 1966, seminary in Madang to become a priest and then Rome University in 1968-1971, attaining a PhD in Canon Law.
He left the priesthood in 1972 and married his American wife Claire Dionne that year.
The same year 1972-1973 he also became the chief of staff to the Chief Minister and Bougainville district commissioner in 1973-1975.
In 1976 he became president of the secessionist Republic of North Solomons and in 1976-1980 he was the pioneer premier of North Solomons Province and an adviser to the Bougainville people. He was knighted for his service to politics and public service.
In 2000, Sir Alexis and other Bougainvilleans filed a lawsuit in the US against mining giant, Rio Tinto PLC and Rio Tinto Limited for human rights abuse in Bougainville under the Alien Tort Claims Act 28 U.S.C. The case was struck out last year in favour of the mining giant.
He then contested the Autonomous Region elections for the second house and was elected as member for Peit constituency.
Other distinguished services also saw him being awarded the Independence Medal, CBE in 1977 for work in provincial government, pioneering work in the system in PNG.
He is survived by his many adopted children who have spent their entire life with a man who was a living saint of the people of the Hanatei Soing.
He was man of wisdom and had a vision for his people not only in the Peit Constituency but the whole of Bougainville and he wrote and published a book called, The Practice of Marriage among the Solos, Buka Island, 1971.
Sir Alexis Sarei’s wife passed away in 2011 and his health had gradually deteriorated over the years, resulting in his passing on Monday morning.
The body is at Buka General Hospital morgue awaiting arrangements by the Bougainville government for a fitting funeral.
24.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Momis pays tribute to Sir Alexis
Bougainville is grieving the death of Bougainville’s first premier Sir Alexis Sarei.
Sir Alexis served in various capacities in his long political and public service career including being first Bougainville district administrator, chief of staff to then chief minister Sir Michael Somare on the eve of Independence, premier of the former North Solomons province and high commissioner to the UK.
Bougainville President John Momis yesterday paid tribute, saying Mr Sarei was “an exceptional man who led an exceptional life and was a true son of Bougainville”.
“The late Sir Alexis was in all forms a man who led a remarkable life in the service of the people of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea.
His calibre as a leader cannot be questioned as he proved to be an able administrator and leader, of late as the member for Peit constituency in the Autonomous Bougainville Government.”
Mr Momis said the death was an immense loss to the people of Bougainville because Sir Alexis was held in high regard as an elder statesman and a formidable leader during the early years of PNG’s formation.
24.09.2014
Source: PNG Attitude
Dr Alexis Sarei, priest, politician & diplomat, dies at 80
by KEITH JACKSON
THE Bougainvillean leader Dr Alexis Sarei CBE, 80, has died after a long illness.
Alexis Holyweek Sarei was born on 25 March 1934 and was a Catholic priest turned politician, becoming the first district commissioner of the North Solomons (1973-75) and president of the secessionist Republic of North Solomons (1975-76).
He was also twice premier of the North Solomons Provincial Government (1976-80 and 1984-87), later pursuing a career in national politics as Papua New Guinea high commissioner to the United Kingdom.
After returning from the United States with his wife, at the age of 76 he contested the 2010 Autonomous Bougainville Government elections, winning the Buka seat of Peit.
In 2011, his wife died and his own health deteriorated forcing the ABG to hold a by-election to replace him as he had missed three consecutive sittings of parliament.
Dr Sarei died at his home in the Notuko hamlet of Gagan village in the Solos area of Buka.
Along with other residents of Bougainville, in 2000 Dr Sarei filed a lawsuit in the United States against mining giant Rio Tinto claiming human rights abuse but the case was finally awarded to Rio Tinto.
“The passing of the late Dr Alexis Sarei signifies an immense loss to the people of Bougainville as he is held in high regard as an elder statesmen and a formidable leader during the early years of this country’s formation,” said Bougainville President John Momis.
24.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Operation Render Safe okay to go ahead
The Bougainville Executive Council last week endorsed the Australian Defence Force plans for Operation Render Safe, which will dispose of World War II ordnance in Torokina during October and November of this year.
Torokina, which is situated in the west coast of South Bougainville, is heavily impacted by World War II ordnance as it was the site of a large Allied base during the war.
The Autonomous Bougainville Government has responded to community calls for the ordnance to be removed by requesting Australian military assistance.
Operation Render Safe will help the communities in Torokina live more safely and enjoy better access to their land and also improve conditions for development in the district.
ABG President John Momis has expressed his gratitude to the nations participating in the Operation Render Safe taskforce, including Australia, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom while the Solomon Islands and Tonga will also be sending in observers.
The contribution of international partners will increase the number of explosive ordnance disposal specialists participating in the operation and reflect a strong international commitment to the people of Bougainville.
The Bougainville Police Service will also be a partner in the operation and will assist the multinational taskforce to ensure community safety during the disposal of the ordonance.
23.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SOUTH WEST CORIDDOR OPENS
By Aloysius Laukai
The long awaited Customs services, Buin/Kangu operation in South Bougainville has finally started.
This was a project mooted in 2008 by the National Government to establish customs and clearance facilities in all its maritime provinces which share international border like Bougainville, Western Province and West Sepik.
In making the announcement today in Buka, Manager of Customs Operations on Bougainville, JOHN KIU said that two Buin men have been tasked to be based in Buin and commence the operations there.
The officers are team leader, BENARD KEKA and Customs Officer Israel Pais.
MR. KIU said that the primary functions of this office is to:
1. Facilitate movement of Trade and Travel between borders.
2. Protect our borders and communities from intrusion of illicit Goods and other harmful threats and Risks to development.
3. Collect Revenue through duties and taxes on all imports and exports.
MR. KIU said that PNG CUSTOMS SERVICES is proud to join other Government agencies on the ground such as the Bougainville Police Service, Border Development Authority, Bougainville Government, Council of Elders, Non Government Organizations, local businesses and the general citizens of South Bougainville.
The two officers can be contacted on the following email addresses, kekab@customs.gov.pg or israelpais1988@gmail.com or call +675 73734295.
PNG Customs Services has offices in Arawa, Buka and now in Buin.
23.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BOUGAINVILLE’S LONG TERM MINING ACT
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The ABG minister responsible for Natural Resources and Energy Michael Oni (pictured) has revealed that his department has now nearly completed the long term Bougainville Mining Act and regulations that will replace the Bougainville Mining Transitional Arrangement Act passed in August this year.
When giving his ministerial statement during the September parliament seating, he explained that the long term mining law is the complete package in the transfer of powers to the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
He said the long term law consists of the Bougainville Mining Policies, Acts and regulations.
He added that a final draft was endorsed by the cabinet for consultation and then final approval.
The permanent Act captures the important issues not addressed in the Papua New Guinea Mining Act or the Transitional Act and these issues are the result of lessons learnt from our Panguna Crisis and some modern approaches in mining today.
These are royalties and equity participation, community and regional development projects, offshore mining, mine closure and rehabilitation, resettlement, mine waste management, employment, training and local procurement opportunities, tendering and small scale mining.
Minister Oni said the most important concepts the permanent Act will capture are equity participation by landowners, royalty to landowners and the ABG.
He then asked his member colleagues for their support to enable his department to complete the permanent Bougainville Mining Act and regulations by November this year and have it presented, debated and hopefully passed by the house in December this year or March next year.
He added that this then can enable the ABG to lift the moratorium and open up exploration mining in selected areas in Bougainville.
23.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
TIOBUHIN VILLAGE ASSEMBLY TO HOLD RECONCILIATIONS
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The Tiobuhin village assembly in the Tinputz district will be holding a reconciliation ceremony tomorrow.
The reconciliation ceremony which is spearheaded by Tiobuhin village assembly chairman Ferdinand Tarabin will start with the reconciliation of the seven churches in that assembly.
The chairman explained to New Dawn Fm in an interview today that he wants the churches to reconcile first because the churches will be helping him out later with other reconciliations.
He said the aim of the reconciliations is to clear the air and sort out any existing issues or problems before he can perform his respective duties as the village assembly chairman.
Mr. Tarabin added that the reconciliations at his assembly are expected to end by December this year.
He said all he wants now is for the peace office and the ABG to be present at Tiobuhin tomorrow to witness the reconciliation ceremony.
23.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
MINING BILL NOT FOR PANGUNA ONLY
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Member for Tsitalato constituency Cosmas Sohia wants the members for Central Bougainville to inform their people that the Transitional Mining Bill is not passed for Panguna Mine only saying the bill was passed for mining on Bougainville.
When responding to the ministerial statement made by the minister for Natural Resources and Energy Michael Oni during the September seating, he stressed that the final draft for the permanent long term mining bill should not be rushed.
He then urged the members, especially from central Bougainville to go with the Bill to their people and explain to them the bill first.
He said this all depends on awareness before the final draft is made.
Mr. Sohia said the people must be made aware of the bill so they can contribute their thoughts and ideas then the bill can be passed.
He added that when something is passed, the members must play their part by explaining to their people about the development taking place so we will not face any problems or accusations.
23.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ONI GIVES UPDATE ON HIS DEPARTMENT
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The department of mining has now reached a very important chapter in its capacity building process whereby the department has evolved from the formation of a division with a chief executive officer and a minister in 2006 to having a fully functional mining department with a secretary, support staff and capacity to implement powers and functions transferred from the National Government to the ABG by the enactment of the Transitional Act.
This was revealed by the ABG minister for Natural Resources and Energy Michael Oni in his ministerial statement during the September parliament seating.
As the mining minister he happily announced that his department is now empowered and independent with its own mining law as a result of the enactment and passing of the Bougainville Transitional Mining Act.
He said this signifies that Bougainville alone has the authority to make approvals on mine related activities and matters on Bougainville.
He then thanked the ABG president chief Dr. John Momis, his vice president and the BEC members for issuing instructions in 2013 to officers and lawyers to fast track the development of the Bougainville Mining Transitional Bill.
He added that though the Bougainville Mining Transitional Arrangement Act took almost two and a half years to develop and which created a lot of debates, it was a worldwide exercise undertaken and credit must go to all those who contributed one way or another for ABG to finally have its own mining laws.
Mr. Oni said the development of the Transitional Act also helped the ABG address numerous sensitive issues which so many are scared and skeptical of even considering.
Prominent of these issues are mineral ownership by customary landowners, having a greater say of participation, exploration, mining development consultations which was never the case before and the very sensitive Bougainville Copper Agreement.
In consideration of many Bougainvilleans regarding BCL, the ABG was also very bold in stripping BCL of all its exploration tenements and other associated leases and down grading of its SML to its exploration license where they could start to conduct feasibility studies and negotiate from to apply and qualify for a mining lease under our own mining laws.
23.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
BEC Endorses Operation Render Safe
By ANTHONY KAYBING
The Bougainville Executive Council last week endorsed the Australian Defence Force plans for Operation Render Safe, which will dispose of World War II ordnance in Torokina during October and November of this year.
Torokina which is situated in the West Coast of South Bougainville is heavily impacted by World War II ordnance as it was the site of a large Allied base during the war.
The Autonomous Bougainville Government has responded to community calls for the ordnance to be removed by requesting Australian military assistance.
Operation Render Safe will held the communities in Torokina live more safely and enjoy better access to thie land and also improve conditions for development in the district.
ABG President Chief Dr John Momis has expressed his gratitude to the nations participating in the Operation Render Safe taskforce including Australia, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom while the Solomon Islands and Tonga will also be sending in observers.
The contribution of international partners will increase the number of explosive ordnance disposal specialists participating in the operation and reflect a strong international commitment to the people of Bougainville.
The Bougainville Police Service will also be a partner in the operation and will assist the multinational taskforce to ensure community safety during the disposal of the ordnance.
President Momis has called on the communities in Torokina and around Bougainville to be ready for the multinational military presence in October and to extend a wam welcome to the team during their short stay in Bougainville
Operation Render Safe will be conducted from 22nd October to 8th November of this year and the taskforce will be based aboard the Australian Navy ship HMSA Choules of the Torokina Coast.
Whilst the ABG endorses and supports the Australian led operation in Torokina, the ABG in lieu of compensation asks the governments of the nations that fought in Bougainville during World War II to support and assist the ABG construct roads, bridges and infrastructure development in areas affected by the war throughout Bougainville.
23.09.2014
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
A voice from Boungainville at the UN Climate Change Summit
One of the features of the Climate Change Summit in New York City is that it will give people from the Pacific a chance to have their voices heard.
One of them is Bianca Carwinn, a women's rights and climate change activist from Papua New Guinea, where people have been forced to relocate due to cliamte change.
Presenter: Richard Ewart
Speaker: Bianca Carwinn, Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency, Papua New Guinea
LISTEN HERE !
23.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
CHIEF JUSTICE VISITS BOUGAINVILLE
By Aloysius Laukai
Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea, SIR SALAMO INJIA arrived in Buka this morning for a one week visit of Bougainville that will include National Court hearings starting tomorrow and ending on Friday.
He returns to Port Moresby on Saturday.
On his arrival at the Buka airport he was given a Red Carpet treatment with the Kontiki band providing a traditional welcome and a guard of honor by the Bougainville Police Service.
The guard of honour included Police, Law and Justice sector personnel, Bougainville Police Service, Correctional Service, Lawyers, Magistrates and Village Court Officials.
Afterwards he made a courtesy call on the ABG President, Chief Dr. John Momis, Chief Secretary, Chris Siriosi.
After lunch he visited the National Court Judge’s house at Sohano with other two houses for the National Court Officers.
SIR SALAMO INJIA was very happy at the National Court Housing on Sohano island which will be completed soon.
Meanwhile, the National Court sitting for Buka will start at ten o'clock tomorrow morning at the Buka Court House.
According to the National Court Registry, 20 Civil matters are registered for hearing with another 24 persons registered to also appear in the National court.
Picture is the Chief Justice standing on the verendah of the Judge's house on Sohano island
Chief Justice walking to inspect National Court Staff Housing on Sohano island.
Left is Police escort, New Secretary for Justice, Kenneth Nanei, Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, Magistrate Maliku, Magistrate Bruce Tasikul and Minister for Justice, Joseph Nope.
National Courts Staff Housing on Sohano island
Pictures by Aloysius Laukai
23.09.2014
Source: Bougainville24 / PNG Loop
Traditional medicine use prevalent in AROB
Traditional medicine practitioners in Buka early this year. Picture courtesy of Prem Rai.
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville is a region where the use of traditional medicine is common and widley accepted in the society.
A National Medicine Survey done last year showed 16 sites in total were visited by a group of pharmaceutical students from the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Medicine and health sciences.
The survey was done to create a traditional medicine database for the country after the Traditional Medicine Policy was created back in 2007.
Prem Rai from the Pharmacy Division of the University of Papua New Guinea says the policy paved the way for the promotion and development of traditional medicine in PNG.
The policy was intended to improve the quality and delivery of health services to the people of Papua New Guinea and at the same time further develop traditional medicine and its practices.
This would then lead to incorporating traditional medicine into the primary health care system.
Rai says the traditional medicine survey was carried out in a total of 47 sites, 16 of which were from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The survey served as a source of indigenous knowledge in traditional medicine to identify safe and effective traditional medicine practices and promote their use in the community.
Student researchers recorded more than 4000 entries for the survey consisting of 1000 plants that were being used by 203 families.
The survey also found that there were 850 practitioners of traditional medicines from the 21 provinces visited.
23.09.2014
Source: Bougainville24
Project bridges gap between western medicine and tradition
A health project in the Hahela constituency of Buka Island is working to bring traditional and western medical practices together.
The Traditional Health Project (THP) focuses on organisation development for the Bougainville Traditional Health Association (BouTHA), training Traditional Birth Attendants and introducing knowledge of medicinal plants through formal education.
The inclusion of traditional medicines in primary healthcare delivery is a part of the Papua New Guinea health policy.
Childbirth is a major health issue in the remote parts of the autonomous region and THP is a part of the medical service available to expectant mothers.
THP project manager, James Kowie (pictured right), believes traditional medicines can work alongside western practices.
“One of our key projects is the creation and distribution of birth kits to remote areas,” Mr Kowie said.
“We also train Traditional Birth Attendants and Village Birth Attendants.”
“Once trained these people can provide antenatal care and assist with the birth process in a midwifery role.”
Traditional health workers and healers are encouraged by THP become part of BouTHA.
The association provides a link between traditional medicine and the formal healthcare system. It includes training for its members in topics such as rural health management.
At the THP headquarters in Hahela, Kowie tends to a garden that grows a huge range of medicinal flora.
“These plants are all easy to grow,” Mr Kowie continued.
“We have set up this garden as model that can be copied by people throughout the region.”
THP has also had an integral role in cataloguing of the uses and methods of traditional medicine in the region.
This is vital knowledge to people in the most remote parts of Bougainville, who have scarce access to formal healthcare.
This research and documentation resulted in a book, Traditional Uses of Plants for Health and Healing in Bougainville, which was published in 2012. The book was authored by THP advisor Prem P. Rai, an academic at the School of Medicine & Health Sciences at the University of Papua New Guinea.
The book is an encyclopaedia of traditional medicinal use of plants and is arranged in to chapters based on symptoms and illness. Each item includes the methodology for using the plant.
It is designed to be easy to use and technical terms, where unavoidable, are explained in a glossary.
The project is supported by the Catholic Diocese of Bougainville, with funding by Dka Austria and Horizont3000, two Austrian development and co-operation organisations.
23.09.2014
Source:Post-Courier
New police recruits posted to ARoB
by ROMULUS MASIU
TWENTY new police officers – fifteen male and five females – who graduated from the Bomana Police College are being posted to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
They are the first batch of officers from the provinces to be posted to work alongside their counterparts in the Bougainville Police Service.
According to Bougainville Police Service Chief Superintendent Paul Kamuai these new police officers are not permanent but will be in the region on temporary basis, coming in to help BPS maintain law and order since BPS is facing a severe shortage of manpower throughout the island region.
They are doing their six weeks, two weeks each in Buka, Arawa and Buin, familiarization course before they are posted throughout the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. In Arawa the new officers are actively involved in foot patrolling, traffic awareness, awareness on alcohol and drug abuses and general policing in Arawa town and nearby villages. They’ve also visited Panguna and other surrounding areas as well.
23.09.2014
Source:Post-Courier
Childhood learning vital for education in Bougainville
Early childhood course participants with Minister Dare (centre with flower around his neck)
PARTICIPANTS in an early childhood learning course received their certificates last Thursday at Hagogohe, Buka.
The 137 graduates of the two-week course were trained by Agnes Lawrence in this vital new development initiative for Bougainville. The certificate presentation was attended by course sponsors the influential God’s kingdom network, Community Development Minister Melchior Dare and Hagogohe Member Peter Sohia.
The member told the participants their training was very important for the future of Bougainville.
“The ministers talk about early childhood learning,” he said. “They all sing this song, but there is no policy on early childhood.”
He illustrated the value of early childhood learning by telling of his daughter in elementary school who is unable to read and write.
“But my bubu in early childhood learning already speaks English and can read and write,” he said. “My child in elementary cannot do any of these things.”
He said this is compelling evidence of early learning’s value to future generations.
“The people of Bougainville must decide on this,” he said.
Referring to the God’s kingdom network, the member said “anything the church touches will automatically change attitudes. I am happy the church has taken this on.”
He said President John Momis was a man of vision and had big dreams for Bougainville. He said the President believes the people must be “highly educated, highly intellectual and highly spiritual”.
The member told the course participants that they have to implement the President’s dreams.
“We are developing a nation from early childhood, from the ground up. We are here because we believe we can change the course of Bougainville,” said Pastor Sammy from the God’s kingdom network.
Program leader Ms Lawrence said Bougainville needs to raise resilient children and therefore education must begin earlier than at the elementary level.
“We have ignored this age group. By the time the child is six it is too late. Early childhood learning is a long-term solution for Bougainville.” she said.
She told the course members that the new Bougainville people are talking about is up to you.
“We must make it happen; it is in your hands.”
23.09.2014
Source:Post-Courier
Halia COE lacks funds for daily operations
BY SEBASTIAN HAKALITS
MEMBERS of the Halia Council of Elders in the Halia Constituency of Buka say they are operating on inadequate funding from the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
It is the first COE in the autonomous province to have a permanent office complex built to a high standard in a rural area funded by Australian aid through the government implementation fund at a cost of K272,000 with counterpart funding of K150,000 from the constituency member.
The facility houses offices of the village court, auxiliary police, law and justice, women, churches, health, education, agriculture, youth, the COE chairman, his deputy, executive officer, reception and the constituency member Patrick Nisira’s office.
It also includes two conference rooms in which one is used as a court room for village court hearings and law and justice trainings by the New Zealand police.
Vice chairman of the COE James Sahoto said the COE grant of K50,500 for this year from the ABG is inadequate to look after the COE members in their monthly allowance as most is spent on administration affairs.
He said Halia has eight village assemblies with head tax and trading license fees imposed but many people in the community are not paying those fees that we could use to run the affairs of the office.
“We the executives are paid on a monthly basis whereas the peace officer’s receive their K72 allowance on quarter basis and the village assemblies receiving K20 monthly,’’ he said.
“The village court grant of K7285 cannot even cater for them which is a slap in the face for us the very people who are the backbone of the legitimate government of the day.”
Mr Sahoto said even with the very low allowance they are earning, they are doing their job of running the affairs of the constituency because of the cooperation they have to develop ourselves.
He said logistical problem was an issue and they are still anticipating the promise of the former ABG LLG Member to give us a vehicle.
He appealed to the ABG to fund the SOEs adequately to serve the people.
22.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Aropa Airport Terminal taking shape
By ROMULUS MASIU
HOPES are high for the people of Bougainville as work to revive the second airport, Aropa progresses in record time. The re-opening of the Aropa airport will see Bougainville having two airports with Buka airport currently being used by the traveling public.
The foundation of the Aropa airport terminal was constructed last week and a lot of progress has been made in just one week. The walls of the terminal were the latest to be put up by the contractor last week also.
The terminal construction project has been awarded to Sedsea with the sealing of the runway given to Dekenai and local contractor Kompaini.
According to the Redsea housing project supervisor on site, the roof of the terminal will be completed by end of this week and then they can concentrate on completing the interior of the terminal. The project is on schedule and will be completed by November ready to be opened by December 2014. The first plane into Aropa will be before Christmas and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill will be on site to present to the people of Bougainville their ‘Christmas gift’ for this year – the re-opening of the Aropa airport.
Meanwhile Aropa Landowners Association secretary Peter Onaui appealed to the landowners and all citizens especially the people of South Nasioi to look after the construction of the airport.
“We’re very happy. At last construction is happening as the government of the day is upholding their promise to re-open our airport. We must work together in order for the project to be a success story,” Mr Onaui said adding that work is progressing very well and by Christmas this year the first plane will land.
Mr Onaui extended his appeal to the landowners to respect the contractors and wherever there is a dispute it must be sorted out in a professional manner through round table diologue. He called on any disputed parties to approach the association to air their grievances and also work in consultation with the ABG and National Government appointed liaison officer. The last plane out of Aropa airport was in 1989 when the Bougainville conflict erupted.
22.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville to start recruiting under new law
BOUGAINVILLE will soon start advertising senior positions within its public service sector as part of its restructuring under the new Bougainville Public Service (administration and management) Act 2014.
All departmental head appointments will be made by the Bougainville senior appointments committee which consists of Bougainville president John Momis, speaker Andrew Miriki, church representative Bishop Tim Arthur, women’s representative Hona Holan and lawyer Hubert Kikira.
On Wednesday, Mr Momis presented appointment notices to the 13 new acting departmental heads to stand in for the next six months while the recruitment is in process.
For the purposes of appointing the Bougainville electoral commissioner, the Bougainville constitution requires that two national Government officers are added, personnel management secretary John Kali and electoral commissioner Andrew Trawen.
Air Energi Pacifica Limited has been contracted to assist in making the departmental head appointments, by the Bougainville senior appointments committee and the administration.
It will manage an open and merit-based recruitment process for the 14 departmental head positions, the two deputies in the department of president and BEC and the urgent appointment of an electoral commissioner.
22.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SAREI ORBITS
By Aloysius Laukai
One of Bougainville’s former leaders, DR.ALEXIS HOLYWEEK SAREI died at his home in Gagan on Buka island this morning.
He was aged 80.
DR. SAREI was born on March 25th,1934 and got his middle name Holy week because he was ordained as a Priest on Holy week.
DR. SAREI was the District Commissioner for the North Solomons Province from 1973 to 1975 and as the President of the Secessionist Republic of the North Solomons from 1975 to 1976.
When the North Solomons Province was given the first Provincial Government by the National Government he became the Premier of North Solomons twice.
The first from 1976 to 1980 and again from 1984 to 1987.
From Premiership he also served as the Papua New Guinean High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
During the Bougainville conflict, DR. SAREI left home and stayed in the USA where he was married and returned to contest the second house for the Autonomous Bougainville Government in June 2010.
The second house of the ABG saw three former Bougainville leaders winning seats one by President MOMIS FOR THE Presidential seat, the Nissan seat by former Premier and Regional member LEO HANNET and the late DR. SAREI who won the PEITS seat.
Due to ill health, DR. ALEXIS SAREI was replaced at the end of last year.
Meanwhile the ABG President, Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS in his condolence message said that it is with great sadness that I would like to pay tribute to an exceptional man who led an exceptional life and was a true son of Bougainville, the late Dr. Alexis Sarei.
The late Dr. Sarei was in all forms a man who led a remarkable life in the service of the people of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. His caliber as a leader cannot be questioned as he proved to be an able administrator and leader notably during his tenure as Premier of the former North Solomon’s Provincial Government, as PNG’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and of late as the Member for Peit Constituency in the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
The passing of the Late Dr. Alexis Sarei signifies an immense loss to the people of Bougainville as he is held in high regard as an elder statesmen and a formidable leader during the early years of this country’s formation. I fondly remember him from our time together at the Seminary in Madang where he was ordained a Priest along with the Late Archbishop Sir Peter Kurongku and Bishop Gregory Singkai after which he attained his doctorate in the Vatican City in Rome, Italy.
The Late Dr. Alexis Sarei also served as the Chief of Staff of the then Chief Minister of PNG Sir Michael Somare. He was also Bougainville’s first Premier and the first Bougainville District Commissioner. In light of the achievements of this great man the people of Bougainville and in particular the people of Solos can be proud of the Late Dr. Alexis Sarei as one of our truest sons.
On behalf of my family the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the people of Bougainville, I would like to thank the family of the Late Dr. Alexis Sarei and the people of Solos for the services rendered to the people of Bougainville and this nation as a whole. I pray that the Almighty and Merciful God may grant him eternal rest and console his family during their time of bereavement. He will be remembered as one of Bougainville’s truest sons. May he Rest In Eternal Peace.
President Chief Dr. John Momis
22.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BURIN TALKS ON WAYS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF BOUGAINVILLE COCOA
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The quality of cocoa starts with the type of cocoa we plant at our cocoa plantations, says cocoa board regional member Moses Burin.
He told New Dawn Fm in an interview last week that cocoa processing starts with the harvesting of cocoa pods and ends with the bagging of dry cocoa beans.
He then gave some pointers that cocoa producers should and must take into account when processing cocoa.
He said during the harvesting process, only fully ripe cocoa pods must be harvested and not black pods or half ripe cocoa pods.
He added that the harvested cocoa pods must not be broken open with a knife but with a strong stick.
He then strongly stated when cocoa beans are removed from the pods they must not come into contact with water or rain because the water will wash away the sugar and yeast that is required for fermentation.
Mr. Burin said when the cocoa beans are ready; they must be put into the fermentation boxes within 24 hours.
He added that most cocoa producers in Suir, Kunua and Tinputz are not using fermentation boxes but are using bags which are wrong because the bags have holes which let out heat thus leaving the cocoa beans cold.
He explained the cocoa beans must be fermented for 7 days and during the seven days, the cocoa beans must be turned every 24 hours from one compartment box to another to allow for equal fermentation of the beans and that these beans must always be covered to prevent heat from escaping.
He went on further to say that the cocoa beans will be ready for drying when beans are chocolate brown in colour, smells of chocolate and contains brown liquid.
Mr. Burin is calling out to all cocoa producers in Bougainville to maintain their fermenteries by fixing any broken pipes they have because smoke coming out of the broken pipes will make the cocoa beans smell of smoke.
He added that the purpose of drying cocoa beans is to extract the moisture from cocoa beans.
He then appealed to all cocoa producers to follow these simple steps precisely to improve the quality of Bougainville cocoa in the world market.
He said if one cannot follow these simple instructions, then he or she is not fit to become a cocoa producer.
22.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
NAGUO ADVOCATES ON MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Within the country Papua New Guinea, maternal health is an issue that is becoming prevalent and in one year, one thousand and five hundred women die.
We must always bear this in mind that every day, 3 women die while giving birth or through other problems, says the health educator for World Vision Cecilia Naguo.
Speaking during the opening of the Early Childhood Learning Centre at Vito, in the Eivo/Torau constituency last week, she explained to the parents that in terms of health, early childhood learning starts even before 3 years.
She pointed out that early childhood learning starts upon conception so parents must not think that early childhood learning starts when a child is born.
She then urged everyone to go back to the time when life starts saying education starts on the first day when life began.
Sr. Naguo then stressed that whatever a mother do, if she smokes, drinks or if she fights with her husband, the baby goes through the same experiences and feels everything that a mother feels.
She said when a mother is pregnant it is very important that a mother attend clinics, she eats the right food and gets all her treatments.
She explained further that a child that a mother carries for nine months feels what the mother feels so parents should not question the behavior of their child when it is born because whatever the child does was learned during the nine months of pregnancy.
22.09.2014
Source: PNG Industry News Net
Bougainville people ‘oppose mining’
by Alison Middleton
RESEARCH published by an Australia research and reform advocate suggests people in Bougainville are “adamantly opposed” to the possible reopening of Bougainville Copper’s Panguna copper mine in Papua New Guinea.
A report published by Jubilee Australia says people living in villages around Panguna remain stressed and traumatised after years of civil war and are concerned a resumption of mining could lead to more violence.
The Voices of Bougainville report, was published by the Sydney-based non-government organisation in collaboration with partners the International State Crime Initiative and the Bismarck Ramu Group.
Chief executive, Brynnie Goodwill told Radio New Zealand International: “I think that what has been loudly said by the Panguna communities is that other opportunities need to be explored that are alternatives to mining or potentially other ways of doing mining, smaller scale mining.
“All of these issues are concerns by people that have not been investigated, that the promises of large scale mining, certainly historically, have not been delivered,” she said.
“I don't think there's enough knowledge and understanding about what actually this mining operation would involve.
“This is what has been picked up in the report. There is grave concern that it could only lead to more disruption for the community and more violence.
“So I think what the Pangunan communities are saying is that many more issues need to be addressed first and foremost and many more discussions have to be had so that there's not the feeling that is pervading that again the appropriate discussions have not been had about the real issues.”
22.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Adult literacy vital for Bougainville progress
BY ROMULUS MASIU
ADULT literacy school is the way forward to cut down the high rate of illiteracy in Bougainville.
Josephine Kauona, adult literacy advocator and director for Tunaniya Open Learning Centre, said this last week.
Mrs Kauona, who has established the centre in 2007, said literacy is a way forward and eye-opener for those adults and children who have never been to school because of the Bougainville crisis.
“Literacy is a positive way forward in preparation towards referendum and independence for Bougainville,” she said.
“Literacy must be vigorously addressed for the illiterate population of Bougainville to benefit; literacy skills will enable the participation of the illiterate population.”
Mrs Kauona organised the adult literacy schools in the Kokoda and South Nasioi constituency on the first week of September to mark the national literacy day at the centre.
Three schools from Kokoda constituency include Tunaniya, Navuia and Wara Kalap while Kurai and Damangko represented South Nasioi. According to Mrs Kauona, the five adult literacy schools’ got together and put their training into practice by showcasing their skills in baking, sewing, artefacts’ and the construction of the best stalls.
Navuia adult literacy school won the best cake award which they received a bale of flour and baking trays while best bread went to Kurai, Tunaniya won prizes for the best pizza and best outfit went to Navuia. The best stall award went to Wara Kalap Adult Literacy School.
Mrs Kauona thanked UNDP and Panguna Peace Building Strategy for sponsoring the giveaway prizes, including sewing machines, baking and cooking utensils.
She said through literacy courses men and women are empowered with basic read and write skills and lifelong skills.
Mrs Kauona stressed that literacy is a true testimony when it comes to development of Bougainville and is a positive way forward where these adults learn skills that will earn them some income for their families and communities at home.
Bougainville is in preparation for referendum and independence and being literate is very much important as it is a positive way forward.
Adult illiteracy rate must be reduced as at the moment the rate is very high in Bougainville, she said.
There should be more centres as Tunaniya Open Learning Centre is to help the illiterate population, she said.
22.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Buka hosts first special Olympics
BY SEBASTIAN HAKALITS
PEOPLE with intellectual disabilities are some of the most marginalised in the world and it is no different in PNG.
This was brought to the fore at the first Special Olympic Papua New Guinea (SOPNG) National Games last week during the independence week in Buka.
SOPNG is firmly putting its footprint in PNG’s sports and social arenas. Sporting eventsthat took place were, five a side soccer, volleyball and athletics – with exhibition sports such as table tennis.
Provinces that took part in the special olympics were Central, Gulf, Morobe, East New Britain and NCDC, that arrived in Buka and were being accommodated at Hutjena Secondary School.
The athletes underwent medical tests by renowned sports doctor Gideon Kendino with assistance from Buka General Hospital and a specialist dental doctor from Port Moresby before they began their special games for three days before returning to their home centres.
Established in 2012 with only one athlete, SOPNG has grown in leaps and bounds and now three years later there are more than 500 athletes and well over 1000 parents, guardians and unified partners involved in the initiative.
21.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BURAIN STRESSES ON SAVINGS, EDUCATION AND HEALTH
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The member representing the women of North Bougainville Elizabeth Burain has stressed to the people of Bougainville to play their part in developing our COE’s.
As an invited guest to the 39th Independence Day celebrations at Lonahan Primary School on Tuesday, she told the people who have gathered that day to not always beg the government for money because the government has so much work to do.
She said it is time the people at home are taught how to create a culture of savings so that they will come to realize that we can develop our own COE’s.
She added that our communities must be developed through education and health programmes as well.
Mrs. Burain stressed that with these increase in population, we must not throw our rubbish in the bushes and everywhere.
She added that it is very important that the people in the villages have access to proper water and sanitation.
She said we are into ten years as an autonomous government and it is time we revive and increase development in the villages.
She pointed out to the people that we must not give excuses that the place needs money to be developed but we must start developing our villages through savings, education and health programmes.
21.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
POMAWA OPENS EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTRE
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The parents and people of Pomawa community in North Nasioi in the Kieta district witnessed the opening of their very own Early Childhood Training Centre on Wednesday.
The centre was made possible with the help and assistance from World Vision.
The representative for Catholic Education David Miringtoro who witnessed the opening of the centre thanked the community, especially the parents in Pomawa and other community members around Pomawa in making possible this education centre for small children.
He said Pomawa now has a learning centre with special thanks to World Vision.
He added that World Vision was able to see the need of the Pomawa community as this was the best decision made by World Vision to assist in the establishment of this centre in the area of education.
Mr. Miringtoro said early childhood is a new thing but it happened because of the need for children to be educated.
He stressed that parents must be aware of this because the parents at Pomawa community are giving this opportunity and a chance to their children to start their education at a very early age.
He added that this is the importance of education because if we do not give our children this chance, this will result in a down grow of the community.
Mr. Miringtoro once again thanked the community and parents in building a very good facility where their children and their teachers can use to start their learning.
21.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BOUGAINVILLE STILL NEED TO GO A LONG WAY
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Bougainville has done a lot in terms of health but it still need to go a long way, says World Health Technical advisor to Bougainville Dr. Mohammed Salim Reza.
Speaking during his farewell ceremony last week, an emotional Dr. Salim told the gathering that the WHO can only provide technical support to Bougainville but the rest now depends on the administration, how the group reacts and how the people in Bougainville want to see themselves.
He said from the health sector programmes it can be seen that the health sector is different and we made the difference because we want to change ourselves.
He added that with the technical support we made all the yellow marks turn to green.
Dr. Salim explained that he comes from a country that has faced a civil war like Bougainville and that experience has given him the strength to work with us and do his job.
He then assured the health minister and other ABG members that they have a very good educated public health micro-plan in place which needs to be implemented to ensure that the indicators will remain the same or will improve.
He added that the plan is already available but it needs funding from the ABG, the ministry of health and the health department.
He said this is very important as it will improve and support the people working in the health sector.
Dr. Salim then urged the administration and the health department to work together and recruit the right people for the right job saying if this happens; Bougainville will achieve more that the other provinces in Papua New Guinea.
Dr Salim pose for this AL Pic with Health Division Staff
21.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BUIN CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH SPORTS
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Tantareki in the Tonolei COE, in Buin South Bougainville came alive on Tuesday with sports to celebrate the 39th Independence Anniversary for Papua New Guinea.
A total of twenty-one participating teams for men’s soccer and women’s volleyball took part in the games as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
The games were held at the Tantareki playground as the youths of Tonolei COE came together to celebrate the day with so much fun, happiness and excitement.
According to Moses Tekoau, it was a very beautiful sight just to see the youths coming together to celebrate the day with so much happiness.
Meanwhile, the people of Baubake COE also celebrated the day with sports such as soccer, volleyball and boxing as a band from Muguai entertained the crowd at Maluoku Primary School.
According to Micheal Luakenu, the games started on Monday and a boxing team from Arawa also travelled to Buin just to take part in the Independence Day sports at Maluoku.
He said the people who took part in the Maluoku celebrations came all the way from the Konou and Baubake COE’s and the surrounding villages.
He added that the 39th Independence Day anniversary was celebrated through sports and with true Bougainvillean unity.
Volleyball in South Nasioi
21.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
KOTONAU PRIMARY SCHOOL LAUNCH SPORTS FOUNDATION
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Dokotonau Primary School in South Nasioi in the Kieta District launched a sports foundation and a sports stadium on Tuesday to coincide with the 39th Independence Day celebrations.
The launching was commemorated with sports activities that started on Monday and continued on to the next day.
Minister for community development and sports Melchior Dare was invited to witness the important ceremony.
In his address to the people of South Nasioi, he put out to them that September 16 is a very special day for Papua New Guinea’s journey and the journey of the ABG as well.
He added that that day was also special to the people of South Nasioi because they have launched the sports foundation for South Nasioi and a sports stadium as well.
He stressed that this was a very important initiative which is the reality for the youths of today and the future.
Mr. Dare then assured his COE and his people in South Nasioi that Naturi is central and is a strategic location because of the airport.
He said they will register the Nakaturi mini stadium with the sports foundation which is the aspiration, dream and future investment for the youths.
He pointed out that this stadium opens new partnerships and relationships with South, Central and North Bougainville to come to this important facility.
He also thanked the people of South Nasioi and the chiefs for their strong resilience in this partnership.
ABG Minister MELCHIOR DARE welcomed to South Nasioi last week
19.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Schools, students frequent Panguna mine
By ROMULUS MASIU
BOUGAINVILLE Copper’s Panguna mine pit and the surrounding areas are being used by students and teachers as a learning site. Schools such as Asitavi High, Kurai Primary and Koromira Technical High in the Kieta district of Central Bougainville, have visited the area for history and social science lessons, especially on the topic of environmental damages and how mining can affect the land in general.
Other schools from North and South Bougainville also visit the former mining town of Panguna, the pit where copper and gold were extracted in 1969. At Panguna, students and teachers were shown around by mine supervisor, Patrick Itta, who is the education representative of the Panguna district administration.
Students learnt that the mine is one of the world’s leading ore producers responsible for the bulk of PNG’s export. The students also saw and received information on how the rivers, vegetation and the land was being polluted by the waste tailings from the mine.
19.09.2014
Source: The National
ABG plan to focus on priorities
THE 2015 Autonomous Region of Bougainville budget planning process will be driven by its government priorities and local people’s needs, its Minister for Finance says.
Albert Punghau said the framework emerged from district planning and its administration has been engaging with Councils of Elders, Village Assemblies and constituency members to identify the needs to determine priorities.
“Planning work has been recently completed, a number of sectors such as health, law and justice have been establishing minimum standards for delivery of services,” he said.
Punghau said Bougainville would have an integrated planning and budgeting process, incorporating top-down from the Bougainville executive council priorities to consultations with relevant stakeholders such as the Councils of Elders and Village Assemblies in the districts.
This approach was formulated in a budget forum in Arawa last month.
“This week requests from the Councils of Elders and districts are being considered and prioritised in joint discussions here in Buka before the executive managers go back to their districts for further consultation,” Punghau said.
He said the other aspect of the formulation is the submission to the Government for funding under guaranteed grants.
The ABG will be making its detailed submission to the Government by the end of next week.
This year, the submission for the 2015 recurrent unconditional grant is seeking an increase of about K40 million so that costs for government functions are covered.
The submission will detail the cost of services for all 14 departments, parliamentary services, Electoral Commission, the Bougainville police service and the chief collector of taxes.
17.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Potential Chinese investors given insight
Potential Chinese investors and financiers were given an insight into mining investment opportunities available in Papua New Guinea especially PNG’s efforts to diversify the country’s mineral base.
Managing Director of the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) Philip Samar in his presentation at the7th China International Nickel Industry Summit in Fuzhou, Fujian province in China, told participants that PNG was intensifying efforts to diversifying its mineral base and that investment in other minerals other than gold, copper and silver was encouraged. He said diversification was critical for a mineral dependent country such as PNG given the volatile mineral price shifts witnessed recently and in the event of a down-turn in world commodity prices for copper and gold, you could still have other minerals to maintain the revenue flows into the country.
Mr Samar told participants that PNG had world class nickel/cobalt exploration projects some of which needed financing and capital investment in order for these projects to be advanced to the next stage of development.
Wowo Gap and Mambare nickel projects along the Owen Stanley Ranges are large projects that boast resources larger than Ramu. These two projects were highlights which captured the attention of participants at the conference. Other known nickel occurrences around the country were also highlighted.
Papua New Guinea was the spotlight of the conference given the fact that the 2 largest nickel exporters, Indonesia and the Philippines, were both passing legislation restricting the export of nickel ore to China and therefore PNG was being targeted as the next supplier of nickel ore to the region particularly China.
The conference acknowledged the significant developments to date in the maturity of both the industry and the overall government efforts in promoting the exploration and mining sector. These include the review of the Mining Act 1992, the creation of the new tenements management system and the provision of new geological datasets through the airborne geophysical surveys that has been done on highly prospective areas of PNG.
As a result of the conference, the Fuzhou Department of Commerce will be visiting the MRA next week Tuesday with a delegation of 5 business houses to further enquire on the prospects of taking up nickel prospects in the country.
The MRA delegation also held a number of meetings on the side lines of the conference with potential investors and financiers including a meeting organized by the China Development Bank (CDB) and the Fujian provincial government’s department of commerce. This meeting was attended by more than 12 Chinese companies interested in seeking out further exploration and mining opportunities in the country.
17.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville farewells pioneer adviser
By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS
THE World Health Organisation’s (WHO) first resident technical adviser to Bougainville, Mohammed Salim Reza is leaving the region after seven years to take up another responsibility at the national level.
A farewell reception was held in Buka last Friday for Dr Salim for being the pioneer adviser for the organisation since its establishment in 2008 and was presented the Vice President’s award.
The award is a new incentive that will from now on be given to every non-Bougainvillean person who contributes to Bougainville and Dr Salem is the first recipient of this award as a resident representative.
WHO is highly and specifically technical in its role and is the reason why Bougainville is so privileged to have their office that enables Bougainville’s direct link to other WHO network globally.
Autonomous Bougainville Government Vice President Patrick Nisira said this during the farewell ceremony and thanked WHO for the confidence it has given in due recognition to our autonomous status by establishing their office in the region.
He said during a time when Bougainville was going through a very challenging time to try and implement autonomy, peace and normalcy, Dr Salim as an individual represented the office leaving behind his home, family and other golden opportunities behind just to suffer with us here in Bougainville.
"And I humbly commend Dr Salim for being the mouth piece of the people to channel our needs to the WHO country and regional offices and vice versa and the people and government fully appreciate what he has done in giving valuable advice and has made a lot of sacrifices to the health sector that has seen successful outcomes," Nisira said.
He said WHO has been a major player in the health sector in partnership with our development partners such as DFAT, NZAID, JICA and USAID.
ABG Minister for Health, Hon Rose Pihei said the establishment of WHO in the region has greatly benefited the mothers and children on the engagement between WHO and ABG unlike the other 21 provinces in PNG who are being supported by the WHO office from Port Moresby.
She said some of the important developments and achievements seen in the health sector during Dr Salim’s term are; when office was established and first roll out of tuberculosis clinicians training when TB was declared a global emergency, establishing rural laboratory facilities in South, Central and North Bougainville, training of rural lab assistants and medical lab assistants who are now trained at DWU.
‘’Another successful intervention was during the cholera outbreak at Haku in 2011 which saw only three deaths which was a record achievement in PNG where WHO put in a high level technical input, with Dr Salim having many sleepless nights and got WHO officials to do initial assessment ," said Mrs Pihei.
Another record was the successful roll out of new malaria treatment protocol and in 2008,2010 and 2012 supplementary immunization activities (SIA) were undertaken to reduce 95 percent coverage in all three SIA, the initiation and funding of the first donor summit which was held in Bougainville, the purchase of microscopic equipment for Buka, Buin and Arawa hospitals, introduction of integrated supervisory checklist, the development of Bougainville’s health master plan and human resource management strategy, development of integrated public health micro plan, introduction of tetanus toxoid coverage for women aged 15-45, provision of funding support and the WHO and NDOH close link resulted in Bougainville becoming a high performing province in the last 2-3 years.
WHO has been a catalyst for these developments in the health sector during Dr Salim’s term and prior to his exit from the region Mrs Pihei said that ABG will be making a formal request to WHO for a replacement to ensure continuity of the functions of their office in Bougainville.
17.09.2014
Source: PNG Attitude
Some Panguna landowners are angry over lack of development
by LEONARD FONG ROKA
A village elders’ meeting in Bougainville last month turned into an angry debate over the lack of development in the Panguna District due to lack of funding.
“We have had enough,” Maria Dunsimora of the Oune Village Assembly burst out.
“There is money. Our money is with Rio Tinto and the PNG government. We vote leaders to Port Moresby and the ABG (Autonomous Bougainville Government) to find ways to get that money. But what do they do? They have forgotten us.
“ABG was in existence since 2005,” Maria continued, “and what have they done? Jimmy Miringtoro came and told us that he will deal with BCL, Rio Tinto and PNG over the environmental degradation we the Panguna people now live with, but I am yet to witness that.
“We placed Michael Oni in the ABG and now he is the Mining minister, but again he does not know Panguna’s needs.”
The gathering was a forum convened by the Ioro II Council of Elders (a Bougainville local level government) to gauge public opinion on the Panguna mine’s reopening, Panguna development and landowner group activities in the Upper Tailings area.
Although the meeting was intended to be orderly, it turned into a brawl about Panguna politics.
People said the leadership in Panguna is outdated and lacking in vision. They said Panguna needs young, proactive leaders. It has lagged behind in development, especially in education.
The gathering learned that leaders try to hide their failures using the well-known excuse of the financial constrains Bougainville is said to be in.
To the people, Bougainville has money.
They say Bougainville money from the Panguna mine built Port Moresby; Bougainville money financed the Highlands Highway; Bougainville money built Air Niugini; and so on.
“Bougainville money—money from my land—created Papua New Guinea,” a vocal late 1970s Buin High School student said.
“Bougainville money did not develop Bougainville. Bougainville wealth did not construct bridges across our rivers. Panguna money did not seal our roads or construct wharves. Bougainville money did not build a bridge like Sydney Harbour Bridge across the Buka Passage.
“We were left with massive scale of cruelty.
“We eat contaminated food, inhale polluted Panguna air and dust, and drink from poisoned streams.
“Our bodies have contaminants but leaders are not interested in getting professionals to come and check us and our environment so that we know our status and can seek compensation.
“BCL and Rio Tinto made millions of kina from our suffering and environmental destruction and ignore us. They say our environment is safe; you leaders need to get those who say the Panguna environment is safe to come and drink this Kavarong River and its bluish waters and thick cream materials that cover all its rocks and river beds.”
The meeting heard that BCL and the Bougainville government should not be talking about re-opening the Panguna mine that destroyed the local environment.
“What ABG should be talking about now is compensation,” said Steven Diroo, a local gold buyer, “and it is compensation to the people of Bougainville from Australia, PNG and Rio Tinto and BCL. They destroyed our land to built PNG.
“If ABG does not know the strategy to work towards a compensation deal, they need to know that first came planters and their redskin labourers to exploit us; then came the mining company Rio Tinto that treated us like animals over our land….
“We see our parents who still do not know how to read and write and they do not even speak Pidgin.
“ABG needs to backdate every economic gain made in Bougainville and ask for reimbursement; put into a legal battle.”
17.09.2014
Source: Bougainville24
Nasioi people take initiative with footbridge construction
By Junior Karatapi
Karaang’nari footbridge built over the Miatabe River.
The people of South Nasioi have built a bridge at Karaang Nari with no funding from any government agencies, non-government organisations or the assistance of elected Member of Parliament.
The construction of the bridge was initiative of the local people led by Bernedict Kavana and supported by the local people that informally educated themselves with practical skills (mekim na save) during the Bougainville Crisis.
The people produced the creatively designed bridge themselves with their own money and machines for construction.
The metals for the bridge were the scraps found at Panguna and Arawa.
The Hon Jimmy Miringtoro MP officially opens the footbridge.
On the opening day of the footbridge South Nasioi invited the member for Central Bougainville and Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jimmy Miringtoro.
After seeing the initiative of the local people he kindly signed a cheque of K54,000 for their good work.
Today people are benefiting from this service, especially the students of Marai Primary School.
In the past some students were not able to attend school during the rainy season because of tide of Miatabe River.
Now students and the general public have nothing to worry about as they cross the river.
17.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville school hosts first beauty pageant
The first ever Miss Hutjena was crowned last Friday at the Hutjena Secondary School hall. The 2014 Miss Hutjena beauty pageant was a fundraising event organised to celebrate the Hutjena Secondary School Golden Jubilee. The pageant was held over the past two weeks and concluded last Friday.
Bougainville area groups chose a woman delegate who is a current student of the school to contest in the pageant. The event is being held to raise money for the school to upgrade its school facilities, celebrate the school’s 50th golden jubilee and determine who will be the first Miss Hutjena.
The first week the contestants were judged on traditional wear, followed by judging their talents and for the finale last Friday, they competed in the evening wear. There was a stage interview followed by the crowning.
17.09.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville launches new education concept
A NEW education concept for Bougainville was launched on Tuesday by Melchior Dare, the Minister for Community Development Youth Churches and Women.
The minister opened a two-week teacher training workshop at Suhin CLC model church on Buka Island. The workshop opens the door for a better future for the region’s post-conflict children.
Mr Dare, when opening the workshop, told the participants this way of learning is "a revelation for change that has been revealed to us".
He told the participants that this was a secret that was "hidden to us by developed nations that’s why most developing nations did not produce highly intelligent citizens".
The Minister congratulated the participants for their volunteerism in choosing the early childhood pathway on nation building for Bougainville. He said that the early stage of a child’s life is the most important in the development stages.
Therefore, he urged the participants to work in partnership with the council of elders for the success of the program.
The Minister thanked the Bougainville God’s Kingdom network for organising the workshop in partnership with Bougainville pre-school network.
He stated that the work of NGOs in the region has greatly impacted a lot of areas in the region.
Also present at the opening ceremony was the chairman for the Gods Kingdom network Pastor Albert Magoi.
Pastor Albert stressed the importance of team work, saying that the success of the program depended on a team-focussed approach.
He said this program is God’s intervention for the rehabilitation of Bougainville’s children.
17.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ONE MISSING AT HANDOVER MEET
By Aloysius Laukai
A total of thirteen acting Secretaries received appointment notices as Acting secretaries in the ABG Public service under the new Bougainville Public Service (Management and Administration) Act 2014from the ABG President, Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS this morning.
These acting secretaries are, PUARA KAMARIKI Secretary for Administrative Services,
BRENDA TOHIANA Secretary for Treasury and Finance, KENNETH NANEI secretary for Justice, DR. ANTHONY PUMPARA Secretary for Health, MS MARY REMI Secretary for Education, EPHRAIM EMINONI Secretary for Police and Corrections, STEVEN BURAIN Secretary for Mineral Resources and Energy, BENARD TZILU Secretary for Technical services, HERBERT KIMAI Secretary for Community Government, PETER NOMOREKE Secretary for Primary Industries, ALBERT KINANI Secretary for Commerce and Tourism, ANDREW DOWARO Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning, Environment and Conservation.
CHRIS SIRIOSI the Chief Secretary will be in-charge of the Department of President and BEC.
The former boss for Planning, LESLEY TSERAHA who was appointed as the acting Secretary for Community Development did not attend today’s presentation.
According to the ABG President, Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS today’s handover takeover sets the start of the overall restructure of the Bougainville Public Service under the new act.
The new acting secretaries will have to sign a loyalty declaration which states that;
*I am not engaging in any paid employment outside of the Bougainville Public Service;
*I do not hold an office under the government of another country;
*I am not engaging in the private practice of any profession, occupation or trade;
*I am not conducting any business (whether as principal or agent) with the Bougainville Government;
*I do not hold a financial interest in an entity that conducts business with the Government;
*No family member holds a financial interest in an entity that conducts business with the Government;
*I do not hold a position of Director of a company that conducts business with the Government;
*I do not own any land in Bougainville, other than land held under customary title, or land on which my primary residence is located.
The acting secretaries were to rule a line through the statement and initial in the margin if the above statements were not true and they were to provide full particulars to the chief secretary regarding the activity to enable the chief secretary to decide whether to give approval for the activity to commence.
Their acting appointments were Gazetted in the Bougainville Gazette on September 3rd, 2014.
Pictured are the Acting Secretaries with the Ministers
17.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
LONAHAN PRIMARY SCHOOL HOSTS MINI CULTURAL SHOW
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Teachers and students of Lonahan Primary School hosted a mini cultural show last week in which the students learnt so many things about their culture and customs.
The students were taught how their ancestors used to sustain their livelihoods, how to cook, how to build a house, how to make traditional costumes especially for chiefs, the ground rules of their ancestors, to have respect for elders and one another and many more.
The member for Tsitalato constituency Cosmas Sohia showed his appreciation and thanked the teachers and students of Lonahan Primary School in hosting the mini cultural show.
Speaking during the 39th Independence Day celebrations yesterday, he said that the ancestral houses built by the students on the school grounds remind the students, teachers and the community of our heritage.
He pointed out that we all come from our ancestors so it is time now for us to go back and strengthen the society of Bougainville by following the customs of our ancestors.
Mr. Sohia then challenged the schools on Buka Island to stage mini cultural shows in their areas in the years to come.
He said he believes that the success story of the mini show at Lonahan Primary school will encourage the school’s administration to host another mini cultural show in 2015.
17.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
GRADUATES URGED TO DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Graduates of the ‘Women’s Rights Defenders’ were urged last week by the chairlady of Taunit-Tiop Rita Pearson to look at the rights of everyone including men, women and children.
In her keynote address, she told the graduates that with the training they have attained, they must carry out awareness on all forms of violence, abuses and to carry out counseling to victims of abuse and trauma for that matter.
She pointed out to the graduates that people can be traumatized on anything and they are only looking at the Bougainville crisis but they are not looking at all the households where there is incest, rape, theft or death that affects a family member.
She added that as the defender of women’s rights, we must look at the rights of men, women and children.
Mrs. Pearson explained that a counselor is someone who gives advice and stressed to the graduates that they have gained counseling skills and also in human rights and as defenders of human rights, they must see themselves as the eyes and the ears of the people.
She said a counselor should be a good listener and advisor leading up to the best decision that will solve the problem.
This programme as explained by the chairlady was started in 2012 with funding from the UN Women and was picked up by the International Women’s Australia in 2013.
Since then Central Bougainville has graduated 81, North Bougainville 165 and 34, Bana 40, Siwai 30, Torokina 47 and Buin 30.
The graduates of last week brought the total of graduates of that programme to a total of 500 graduates.
17.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BOUGAINVILLE’S REVOLUTION
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Bougainville has a revolution which must be played along the rules that is in the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
This statement was made by the ABG president Chief Dr. John Momis during the 39th Independence Day celebrations at Lonahan Primary School yesterday.
He said the Bougainville Peace Agreement has three pillars and they are autonomy, weapons disposal and referendum.
He added that as for autonomy, we already have an autonomous government which must be fiscally self reliant to generate enough revenue through copra, cocoa and other businesses.
The president explained that the other is the rule of law and good governance.
He said when this autonomous government grows; this same government will mature and become independent if the people of Bougainville choose independence.
He pointed out that we have already experienced it because we are running it but we must go through the right processes of maturation.
Chief Momis said when we are ready; we must remove all the guns, improve law and order, educate our children, develop good hospitals and create revenue.
He added that automatically when referendum comes, we will not have any other choice as we will all have agreed and move as one people.
He stressed that if we come together, walk together and share one vision then we cannot go wrong.
He then assured the people that they must not worry too much about what will happen saying we must believe in ourselves, we must share one vision and give space to each and everyone.
Member for North Bougainville, LAUTA ATOI making his speech
17.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SEED PLANTED IS READY TO BE HARVESTED
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The National member for North Bougainville Louta Atoi believes that the seed that all the leaders planted thirty-nine years ago is now ready to be harvested.
He said now is the time where we must acknowledge all the leaders, and Chief Dr. John Momis who is one of our founding fathers who planted this seed.
Speaking during the 39th Independence Day celebrations at Lonahan Primary School yesterday, he urged every one present to celebrate the day and be happy but must acknowledge all the leaders who planted the seed 39 years ago.
He added that when we celebrate, we must acknowledge leaders like Chief Michael Somare, Sir Julius Chan, Pais Wingti, Rabbi Namaliu and other leaders who have gone such as Peter Lus and Maori Kiki must be acknowledged for their efforts, their hard work, the determination, courage and belief in Papua New Guinea as a nation.
As one of the new leaders of our time, Mr. Atoi then saluted all the leaders who went before us to bring us to the position and level where we are now enjoying the freedom and this new journey to realize our new prosperity within our country Papua New Guinea.
The member then on behalf of the O’Neill-Dion government thanked everyone who took part in the celebrations saying this is a significant day for PNG.
17.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BURAIN TALKS ON COUNCIL OF ELDERS
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The member representing the women of North Bougainville Elizabeth Burain wants the ABG and the members of the House of Representatives to look at the arrangement of the Council of Elders.
Speaking during the Independence Day celebrations at Lonahan Primary School today, she stressed that since we are celebrating the 39th birthday of PNG it is time we look at the development that is happening at our villages and where we come from.
She pointed out that 39 years is a long time and she believes that with this autonomous arrangement we are looking at the windows of referendum next year.
She explained that because the bulk of the population is at each Council of Elders, we must be aware that within the 39 years, the population has increased.
Mrs. Burain said with the increase in population, it must be taken into account that development is taking place only in Town.
She added that with this development in Buka Town, we need to connect this development well to villages where we come from.
She stressed that she believes that to develop each COE, or each constituencies, the leaders must take into consideration that most development are taking place in town.
17.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BOUGAIVILLE CELEBRATES PNG’S THIRTY-NINTH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Papua New Guinea’s 39th independence anniversary was celebrated the Bougainvillean way today with traditional performances by traditional groups from the Atolls, Buka Island and primary schools in the Tsitalato constituency.
The Independence Day celebrations were held at Lonahan Primary School which is situated outside of Buka Town.
In his welcome speech, the member for Tsitalato constituency Cosmas Sohia recognized the political foundation and the pioneer leaders of Papua New Guinea who built the political foundation starting from self governance until PNG got its independence on September 16, 1975.
He said within the last 39 years, the people of PNG have been celebrating this political foundation which got its strength from the National Constitution.
He then pointed out that our celebrations today has a very big meaning because our president for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville is one of the founding leaders and an architect for the constitution of PNG.
He added that Chief Dr. John Momis is also the father of decentralization and the establishment of provincial governments in PNG.
Mr. Sohia said it is not a mistake that chief Momis now takes the lead during our march towards Bougainville’s referendum.
He stressed that before PNG got its independence, people were asking if PNG was ready and Bougainvilleans are now doing the same thing and are asking whether Bougainville is ready for referendum for its political future or not.
The member stated that it is time now to build this confidence amongst the people so they can vote with the knowledge and belief in Bougainville and can stand as one country.
He thanked the president and his government for making laws for Bougainville which shows that the government is not only talking about autonomy.
Mr. Sohia stressed that the autonomy arrangement must work to prepare us for referendum and as we walk through this political journey we must not forget our identity.
In his closing remarks, he congratulated Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the people of PNG on this 39th Independence Anniversary celebration.
Pictured is President Momis welcomed to Lonahan Primary School
17.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
MOMIS PAYS RESPECT TO PNG’S FOUNDING FATHERS
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The ABG president Chief Dr. John Momis paid his respects to the founding fathers of Papua New Guinea during the 39th Independence Anniversary celebrations at Lonahan Primary School today.
He said on behalf of the people of Bougainville and the ABG government, he is very happy to say thank you to the leaders of Papua New Guinea for the countless work that they have done to serve the people of PNG and especially the people of Bougainville.
He added that at this time he would like to pay special respect and show appreciation to the founding fathers of Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Somare, Sir Julius Chan, Sir Paul Lapun, Donatus Mola, Maori Kiki, Sir John Guise, Sete Abau and many others and then Sir John Kaputin, Chief Dr. John Momis, Oscar Tamur, Raphael Belleh, and the leaders of Bougainville who joined these men to support them to get our country to independence.
Chief Momis explained that at that time there were not many intellectuals and they had no experience, there was no way but they made their own way.
He said they went ahead because there was a strong determined leadership and even though they had no answers to many things they made a constitution that showed them the way forward.
He added that this constitution protected the rights and freedom of the people.
He stressed that it was amazing that far back at that time they had the right to say where they want to go with their government.
ABG President DR. MOMIS inspects Police Guard of Honor at the PNG Independence celebrations at Lonahan Primary School on Buka island today. Picture by Aloysius Laukai
15.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
TSORA COMMENDS MOMIS ON RESHUFFLE OF MINISTRIES
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Former Bougainville education secretary Tony Tsora has commended the ABG president Chief Dr. John Momis and his chief secretary in making very big decisions in terms of the reshuffling of the ministries and big appointments within the administration which is in line with our new Public Service Act in Bougainville.
He told New Dawn Fm in an interview last week that what the president and his chief secretary did is to make changes that will achieve good results in the performances of officers and the performance of ministers in the cabinet.
He said he would like to commend the president and his chief secretary for the changes made as it is time we make changes because our referendum is getting closer.
He added that we need to step up with the performance of the staff in each divisions and he is commending the president and his chief secretary because there are many experienced people in administration available.
Mr. Tsora said he has seen that there are many young and knowledgeable people who are coming up and taking over the positions which is good but there must be mentoring programmes in place to help direct these young people in the right direction.
He added that there are many qualified young people out there who lacks the experience and which is why mentoring programmes are needed to train these young people on how to run each division.
15.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
HEALTH AGENDA MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Acting chief secretary Chris Siriosi has called on the health secretary to stand behind the health minister and move the health agenda forward.
Speaking during Dr. Mohammed Salim Reza’s farewell ceremony in Buka last Friday, he urged the ABG members to ensure that the health agenda reflects and is consistent with the development priorities of the government.
He added that the services of health and education are the key development priorities of the government as these are two key enablers of economic growth.
He pointed out that if we do not have an educated and healthy population, our productive levels will drop which is why we need healthy and educated Bougainvilleans.
Mr. Siriosi said it is important that we turn the situation around.
He then stated that the budgetary allocations for health in Bougainville reflect the desire of the government to focus on these two key elements of development in Bougainville.
In his concluding remarks, he told Dr. Salim that he is very grateful for the work he has done for the administration, the ABG government and the ordinary people of Bougainville who are now able to attain services that is properly serviced by the agencies providing health services to the people.
He then assured Dr. Salim that his programmes and work will be sustained by the health sector, the administration and the ABG as a whole.
15.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BOUGAINVILLEANS ENCOURAGED TO PUT MOMIS INTO HIS SECOND TERM
BY JENNIFER NKUI
We need the president Chief Dr. John Momis to come back next year as our president.
This statement was made by the member representing the women of North Bougainville Elizabeth Burain when she presented fifteen thousand kina in cash to women in Kunua district yesterday.
When explaining to the people about referendum and what the government is doing under the leadership of chief Momis, she stressed that it is important that Dr. Momis comes back next year.
She added that for the next election, it is good to put chief Momis as president because of the many things he has done such as the drawing down of powers and the making of laws for Bougainville.
She pointed out that the other important thing is we must put him into the second term of government because the referendum is coming and he has worked with it already.
Mrs. Burain said we must put him back so when the referendum comes, he is not new to such things as he will know exactly what direction to take and what to do.
She stressed to the people in Kunua district that it is very important that we put Dr. Momis back as our president because he knows where we are going in our political journey.
She added that the president has revealed that referendum will happen after 2017 which only means that if we want a smooth and consistent government, we need to put him back into his second term as president as he is already aware of our political journey and where we are headed.
She then told the people that when it comes to voting for referendum on independence, they must make the right choice and know that the choice they make will benefit their children in the future.
15.09.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BURAIN GIVES FIFTEEN THOUSAND KINA TO KUNUA WOMEN
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The member representing the women of North Bougainville Elizabeth Burain on Sunday presented a total of fifteen thousand kina in cash to the women of Kunua district.
The member made the presentation at Tewa constituency saying Tewa constituency is the twelfth constituency that she will be giving the fifteen thousand kina to.
She explained that the money she is giving out to the women will help mothers in those constituencies to do the little work that they are currently involved in.
Out of the fifteen thousand kina, ten thousand kina was given to ten village assemblies for women, three thousand kina was given to six churches in Kunua district and two thousand kina was given to the women’s federation.
Mrs. Burain gave out fifteen thousand kina to women in fourteen constituencies but where the population is larger; she gave out twenty-eight to thirty thousand kina.
She started at Taunita-Tiop, and then she went on to Hagogohe, Halia, Haku, Mahari, Kunua, Suir, Tonsu, Atolls, Nissan and the next lot will be Saposa, Taif and Haon.
The member said for Nissan, she purchased a boat and an engine for the mothers to use in times of emergencies because that is what they really need now with regards to their current situation.
She then stressed to the women that it is not easy to become a leader but there has to be a leader so we can have a captain to steer us in the right direction.
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