News 04.2014.1

15.04.2014

Source: The National

NEC endorses autonomy assessment

THE National Executive Council has approved a review of Bougainville’s autonomy arrangements.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill (pictured) said Cabinet endorsed the terms of reference guiding the review including its legal standing as determined through Section 337 of the Constitution. O’Neill said Cabinet approved the adoption of the recommendations of the review by the Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government.

“NEC has also endorsed the weapons disposal implementation matrix and the establishment of a bipartisan parliamentary committee for Bougainville matters,” he said.

“The purpose is to educate on constitutional requirements, the Bougainville peace agreement, specific Organic Laws, the challenges and complexities of implementing the Bougainville peace agreement,” O’Neill said.

15.04.2014

Source: The National

Bougainville president wants unity

PEOPLE of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have been told to embrace the principles of solidarity, participation and subsidiarity.

President  Dr John Momis said their future depended on their willingness to work together.

“The principle of solidarity is paramount in which our people are united,” he said.

“The principle of participation is where every Bougainvillean participates in development.

“The principle of subsidiarity means no Bougainvillean is marginalised with everyone having a fair go.”

Momis said Bougainvilleans must learn to work with the government in determining its future.

Momis said Bougainvilleans must embrace the three principles and recognise the need for togetherness to achieve a positive outcome.

“The ABG has already created new laws to strengthen Bougainville’s autonomous arrangement but our government will not marginalise our people,” Momis said.

He gave as an example the proposed Bougainville Mining Act. He said the ABG had an inclusive approach to deal with problems.

Momis said the enactment of the three new laws - the Public Management Act, the Public Service Management Act and Tenders and Contracts Act - created a viable receptacle for effective development.

15.04.2014

Source: EMTV

NEC REVIEWS ABG

A review on Bougainville’s autonomy arrangements will come under the microscope of the National Executive Council. 

It is to be a joint review between both National and Autonomous Bougainville governments. The National Executive Council has recently approved a joint review on Bougainville’s autonomy arrangements.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, in a press statement released today, said the Cabinet has noted and endorsed Terms of Reference guiding the Review of Autonomy Arrangements.

This includes its legal standing as determined through Section 337 of the National Constitution.

Mr O’Neill said NEC approved the adoption of the recommendations of the review by the National and Autonomous Bougainville Governments.

NEC has also endorsed the Weapons Disposal Implementation Matrix and the establishment of a Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee for Bougainville matters.

The Prime Minister said it has become apparent that the establishment of a committee on Bougainville matters is imperative.

The purpose would be to educate on constitutional requirements, the Bougainville Peace Agreement and specific Organic Laws, its challenges and complexities.

15.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

MOMIS SAYS OTHER PEOPLE WILL DECIDE OUR FUTURE

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG President, Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS says although the future of Bougainville is in the hands of Bougainvilleans, there are others who can swing the scale when the day finally arrives.

Speaking on New Dawn FM last Friday evening, President Momis stressed the importance of maintaining relationships with other people.

He said under the Bougainville Peace Agreement, after the conduct of the Bougainville referendum the Papua New Guinea Government will rectify it and others like the UN and our friends in other countries must also recognize us.

Based on these we must make sure our connections are maintained at all times.

Commenting on the Looting of a Chinese/Bougainville shop in Buin last month, MR. MOMIS said that there are ways of addressing issues instead of taking the law into our own hands.

He said maintaining relationship with friends is paramount as we are approaching the five-year window into the Bougainville Referendum.

New Dawn FM understands that during the Bougainville conflict and after the UDI of May 17th of 1990, our leaders mentioned only TAIWAN was supporting Bougainville then.

And after the end of the conflict, no Bougainville leader has visited TAIWAN to REAFFIRM this commitment.

15.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG WELCOMES NEC DECISION

By Aloysius Laukai

The Acting Bougainville Chief Administrator, CHRIS SIRIOSI has welcomed the recent decision by the NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) to approve the Joint Review of the Bougainville Autonomy Arrangements.

MR. SIRIOSI said that this is a prudent step and one that adds value to the administration of the Peace Process on Bougainville.

He was responding to a media release from the Office of Prime Minister PETER O’NEILL which stated that the NEC had endorsed terms of reference guiding the review of Autonomy Arrangements including its legal standing as determined through Section 337 of the National Constitution.

Prime Minister PETER O’NEILL said that the NEC also endorsed the Weapons Disposal Implementation Matrix and the establishment of a bi-partisan Parliamentary Committee for Bougainville matters.

He said that it has become apparent that the establishment of a committee on Bougainville matters was very crucial at the moment.

Prime Minister also said that the purpose would be to educate on constitutional requirements, the Bougainville Peace Agreement, Specific Organic laws, the challenges and Complexities of implementing the Bougainville Peace Agreement are amongst others.

15.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

TAONITA TINPUTZ BY ELECTION SET

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG By-election for the TAONITA/TINPUTZ Constituency is set for next week according to the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner, GEORGE MANU (pictured).

MR. MANU announced the dates on NEW DAWN FM today.

He said that Writs will be issued on April 22nd, 2014.

This means that Nomination will also open on April 22nd and will close after three days on the 24th of April, 2014.

Polling will commence on May 19th, 2014 and will close on May 23rd, 2014.

The writs will be returned to the ABG Speaker, ANDREW MIRIKI on May 26th, 2014.

This seat became vacant when the former member and Minister for Works, the Late CAROLUS KETSIMUR died at the end of last year.

The Bougainville Electoral Commissioner said that the by-election and the up-coming ABG General elections will be conducted under the ABG Electoral law which was amended to make certain changes like the three-days nominations period and daily end of polling closing at four pm instead of the former time of Six PM.

MR. MANU also said that all the election process of Order of draw and counting will be conducted out of the Tinputz district Office.

He said that the nomination fee remains at FIVE HUNDRED KINA per candidate.

15.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BUKA MARKET WILL CLOSE FOR EASTER

By Alex Munme

THE Buka town market will officially close for business during the Easter Holiday period.

A notice issued to New Dawn FM stated Thursday April 17 for half day business and full day close from 18th to Monday 21st April, 2014.

Business will resume as normal on TUESDAY 22nd April, 2014.

Buka Urban Council Management is also closing all street markets.

Those wishing to sell are asked to utilize the small mini market between Kubu and Hahela.

15.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

New bridges for North Bougainville

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE people in the west coast areas of North Bougainville including Hahon and Kunua-Keriaka will soon be seeing the construction of three new bridges along the Siara-Korepovi road. Acting Bougainville chief administrator Chris Siriosi said these bridges will be constructed at Nagam, Sun and Vanalue rivers.

Funding for these bridges has been sourced from the second tranche of this special intervention funding of K100 million that was released recently by the national Government for high impact projects in Bougainville.

Mr Siriosi said ABG has already made the payments and the contractor will be shipping the materials into Bougainville within the next few weeks to construct the bridges. The purchase of these bridges is one of the major projects recently announced by Mr Siriosi that will be implemented in Bougainville.

The other is the upgrading of National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Bougainville, with Mr Siriosi stating that the delay is still with the NBC head office. “As soon as the project management unit (PMU) and ABG receives the quotations from NBC we can authorise release of funding under the SIF to buy new equipment for NBC. This is a priority project (and) we will be making contact with NBC to make sure that this project is fast-tracked,” Mr Siriosi said.

“With the education infrastructure, PMU and the administrator’s office are still waiting for the Education Division to identify and notify the government on their priority projects,” Mr Siriosi added. Meanwhile, the ABG is trying to locate land in Buka to construct houses for the public servants.

Mr Siriosi has already directed officers from the Bougainville Lands Division to look into this matter so that the government can start building houses for the officers. He announced that there will be some buildings constructed in the districts, adding that there should be around five houses constructed in each district this year.

15.04.2014

Source: EMTV 

SEPIK VS. BOUGAINVILLE CLASH CALL ON REPATRIATION

Noah Mendari, the landlord of a block of land at Lae’s back-road, has been witness to ethnic clashes between the Sepiks and Bougainville Morobeans over the previous week. 

He is of Kamkumung and Buin heritage. The land he owns is customary land.

During this meeting with Bougainville’s Disaster Co-ordinator Franklyn Lecey, and other Bougainvilleans, it was revealed that the landlord allows his wantoks to reside on his premises. Many of them are students or workers who cannot afford accommodation in the main centre.

A total of 43 young people from Buin and Siwai were affected. They’ve been put into two groups. Those without work or not at school will be repatriated back home.

1 of the dead is to be repatriated to Bougainville while the other, a relative of the landlord, will be buried in Lae.

On the other side, the Sepik people have acknowledged that the problem is not with the Bougainvilleans, but with the landlord.    

Some social commentators say that the K90, 000 to be used to repatriate those affected is a waste of public money. Money that could be used for other worthwhile causes.

15.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Behaviour policy out

By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS

Guidance officer Josephine Passingan receiving a copy of the school’s policy from chiefs Augustine Tukan and Thomas Kehani.

TUGEAS Primary School in the Peit Constituency of Buka recently launched its school behaviour management policy, witnessed by representatives from the Division of Education and the students, staff and the community.

Themed “A discipline child creates a discipline community”, the policy is in accordance with the Education Department’s national behaviour management policy (NBMP) and will act as a guideline to promote a caring, safe and healthy environment for the purpose of improving students’ learning focusing on student welfare in school.

The school has 133 students doing grades 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 and the school is located in the west coast area of Buka.

The launching of this policy marks Tugeas as the second school in Buka, after Hahela Primary school to have launched their school behaviour management policy.

Education officials that attended the event include the Education standard officer, Robert Nomunu, guidance officer, Josephine Pasingan, Catholic Education co-ordinator John Narebo and district education officer Josephine Hagua.

Mr Nomunu said the launching of the policy marks an improvement in the school’s operation, before emphasising on the roles that education plays in terms of instilling good leadership and creating a good working relationship between the students, parents and community.

Mr Nomunu also congratulated the head teacher, Lindsay Roy for taking the initiative to work together with the community and teachers in compiling this policy which will now act as a guide.

Mr Roy said 95 per cent of the problems in the community were caused by students and this policy will act as a guideline for teachers and students to act more sensibly both in and out of the school area. “Our task now is to implement the book for the betterment of our students to achieve something good in their education,” said Mr Roy.

The implementation of the policy will be the responsibility of different stakeholders including teachers, students, board management, parents and citizens, churches, law enforcement agencies and others.

15.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Future depends on people

BY ANTHONY KAYBING

The question pertaining to the outcome of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville’s future will rely on the ability of Bougainvilleans to work together. To achieve this, Autonomous Bougainville   President, John Momis has encouraged Bougainvilleans to recognise three very important principles which they must embrace.

“The principle of solidarity is paramount in which our people are united, the principle of participation where every Bougainvillean participates in development and also important is the principle of subsidiarity where no Bougainvillean is marginalised with everyone having a fair go,” Mr Momis said.

He said that it is high time Bougainvilleans work together in union with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, to further Bougainville’s aspirations to determine its political future. Mr Momis said that if Bougainvilleans embrace these three principles and recognise the need for togetherness the people can and will achieve a positive outcome in Bougainville’s political future.

“The ABG has already made headway in creating new laws that strengthens Bougainville’s Autonomous arrangement but our government will not marginalise our people,” Dr Momis added.

He gave an example of the proposed Bougainville Mining Act saying that the ABG has an inclusive approach to deal with problems like the Panguna Mine issue where ex-combatants, landowners and average Bougainvilleans have their views gauged in ABG sponsored consultative forums.

In relation to ABG’s laws, Mr Momis said that the enactment of the three new laws, the Public Management Act, the Public Service Management Act and Tenders and Contracts Act create a viable  receptacle for effective development.

The President said these laws will give the ABG strength to effectively deliver services to its people but what remains to be seen is the cooperation of the leaders, the public service and the people to see that things are not rendered useless.

15.04.2014

Source: Bougainville24

School in ‘paradise’ thrives despite student number fluctuations

By Leonard Fong Roka

Though primary schools mushroom across Bougainville, it has become apparent that the population of children to attend these schools is shrinking.

The fluctuation in class sizes from year to year have proven to be a great challenge for many schools in the region.

A single 4-in-1 school on Pokpok Island has maneuvered through these setbacks and is thriving.

Out from Kieta and girt by the ever sparkling blue waters of the Solomon Sea is Pokpok Island’s only primary school, Uruna Primary School (pictured).

Uruna is a hamlet located at it northern-most end of Pokpok Island, where it faces the pre-war island resort of Arovo Island.

Uruna is home to one notable Bougainvillean who was once PNG’s chief ombudsman, national parliament clerk and public service commissioner, Simon Pentanu.

The school was built by the islanders to cater for their children at home. Previously they had crossed the Kieta harbor to the mainland schools, particularly to Arawa.

Around 2000 the school began formal classes and in 2013 it had graduated five Grade 8 classes.

The school caters for children from the main Pokpok village, which faces the Kieta harbor, and Sisirai, the second largest village on Pokpok, which is open to the Solomon Sea.

Children from the Sipaa village, on the mainland, paddle their tiny canoes out of their position on the Pidia Peninsula to Uruna, for schooling.

Uruna Primary School has a technique to keep the school operational when a cohort is short of students in a particular year.

For instance, some years the school goes without a Grade 8 class; awaiting a class to complete Grades 6 and 7, before they can have a Grade 8.

This is exactly what is happening this year, 2014. In 2013, Uruna graduated a Grade 8 class and most of its students now attend Arawa Secondary School for Grade 9. As a result Uruna will not have a Grade 8 class until 2015, due to a lack of students.

This is a system most schools are using across Bougainville.

Uruna Primary School is a paradise little concave dell covered in virgin island jungle. It has a little stream that supplies it with water and halting the dell is the fine sandy beach stretching calmly to the northeast towards Tausina Island, a peaceful neighbour of Pokpok Island.

To the northwest is the Uruna Point that barricades one’s view of the Kieta Harbor, thus making Uruna hamlet and school secure and peaceful for visitors.

Birds sing all day, so teachers and students claim that their school is absolutely a different world within Bougainville.

When in Uruna you cannot remember what you have being doing on the mainland Bougainville—you are locked in the heaven of Uruna.

Many visitors claim the school should establish its own tourism project, be financially independent and advance more.

14.04.2014

Source: Bougainville Copper Limited - press release

BCL will follow the wishes of landowners at Panguna

Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) has said it will only consider a return to operations at Panguna with the full support of customary landowners in mine-affected areas and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG).

BCL has strengthened its relationship with landowners through regular meetings and its shared responsibility as part of the Joint Panguna Negotiation Coordination Committee (JPNCC).

The terms of reference for the JPNCC include supervising environmental, social and economic studies, as well as the customary reconciliation process of bel kol.

The environmental baseline study is of great importance as it will help determine the future shape and implementation of environmental programs.

Before the establishment of the Panguna mine in the late 1960s, BCL reached an agreement with the then Government of PNG, however there was no ABG or landowners group to negotiate with at the time.

In the current environment the landowners are central to discussions on a decision about whether to resume mining operations at Panguna.

14.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PRESIDENT’S THREE PRINCIPLES

By Anthony Kaybing

The question pertaining to the outcome of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville’s future will rely on the ability of Bougainvilleans to work together.

To achieve this Autonomous Bougainville Government President, Chief Dr John Momis has encouraged Bougainvilleans to recognize three very important principles which they must embrace.

“The Principle of Solidarity is paramount in which our people are united, the Principle of Participation where every Bougainvillean participates in development and also important is the Principle of Subsidiarity where no Bougainvillean is marginalized with everyone having a fair go,” Dr Momis said.

Dr Momis said that it is high time Bougainvilleans learnt to work together in union with their government, the ABG, to further Bougainville’s aspirations to determine its political future.

Dr Momis said that if Bougainvilleans embrace these three principles and recognize the need for togetherness the people can and will achieve a positive outcome in Bougainville’s political future.

“The ABG has already made headway in creating new laws that strengthens Bougainville’s Autonomous arrangement but our government will not marginalize our people,” Dr Momis added.

He gave an example of the proposed Bougainville Mining Act saying that the ABG has an inclusive approach to deal with problems like the Panguna Mine issue where ex-combatants, landowners and average Bougainvilleans have their views gauged in ABG sponsored consultative forums.

In relation to the ABG’s laws the Dr Momis said that the enactment of the three new laws, the Public Management Act, the Public Finance Management Act and Tenders and Contracts Act create a viable receptacle for effective development.

The President said these laws will give the ABG strength to effectively deliver services to its people but what remains to be seen is the cooperation of the leaders, the public service and the people to see that things are not rendered useless.

“Inspite of our setbacks and lacking capacity we have to get our priorities right and know what we need to achieve development in all aspects,” he said.

“If you do not work for the greater good for Bougainville then you are certainly working against the ABG and the people of Bougainville,” President Momis said as he urged all Bougainvilleans to work in unity.

He made these remarks in his weekly talk on New Dawn FM at the weekend. 

14.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Panguna miner plans big reconcilliation

By DAVID LORNIE in ARAWA

MINING company  Bougainville Copper Limited  is planning a big bel kol reconciliation ceremony in Arawa, Central Bougainville this year.

The ceremony, in local dialect called domang mita, is expected to include up to 3000 people.

It will be a landmark event for both the autonomus island province and the company.

The ceremony is an important step in BCL’s publicly stated goal to re-open the rich Panguna copper and gold mine in Central Bougainville.

The mine ignited a ten-year bloody war in 1989 which quickly evolved into a secessionist struggle against Papua New Guinea.

The effects of the war are still being felt in Bougainville.

It is recognised that the recent visit to Bougainville by PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has helped pave the way for the upcoming ‘Bel Kol’.

Preparations are well underway and the Autonomous Bougainville Government under the leadership of President John Momis is taking a major role.

A meeting was held in Buka recently between the President and some ex-combatant leaders to discuss the upcoming ceremony, though some key figures on the ground in Arawa have told this newspaper they have not yet been made aware of the event.

The ceremony will recognise that BCL and Bougainvilleans are willing to reconcile past differences and forge a new relatonship.

There will be a feast, traditional symbolic chewing of betelnut, cleansing of blood, medicinal rites by traditional healers and an exchange of gifts.

There will also be a discussion about compensation for the company’s past wrongs.

Hardliner ex-rebel army factions have said they want K10 billion in compensation from the company but in an interview with this newspaper last year, BCL boss Peter Taylor said he will need to negotiate that stance.

Whilst the PNG Government - a 19 percent shareholder of the mining company - will not be directly involved in the ‘Bel Kol’ and its organisation, they will send observers.

Also attending the ceremony will be Mr Taylor, representatives from the Australian and New Zealand Governments and other foreign interests.

At this stage the Bel Kol is expected to cost K900,000 and BCL has agreeed to contribute half of this sum. The Bougainville Government will provide the balance.

It is important to note that the cermony will not automatically lead to the re-opening of the mine. It is another step in a long process that will enable the next round of discussions to take place.

The event is not specifically designed as a forum for BCL to pay compensation, rather it is about discussing issues relating to the mine’s future, of which compensation is one.

In its recently released annual report BCL said it is pleased with progress so far in its attempts to re-establish its commercial presence in Central Bougainville.

The company hopes to open an office sometime soon in Arawa.

14.04.2014

Source: Radio New Zealand International

Houses destroyed by Bougainville quake

More detail is emerging about the impact of two major earthquakes that hit the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville last Friday night.

The stronger of the two quakes measured 7.3 in magnitude and was centred close to the southern part of Bougainville island.

A 4 year old boy is believed to have been crushed to death when a house collapsed in Buin.

A government official, Nick Peniai, says they are still waiting for full reports but they have been told a number of houses have been destroyed.

In one village alone, about 20 plus houses the other villages we do not yet know the total count. We would only know about the actual damages that have been caused from the new report that will be sent over here by the task force team from the provincial disaster office.

Nick Peniai in Buka.

14.04.2014

Source: EARTHQUAKE HUNTER

M 7.3 EARTHQUAKE - BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G.

14.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Man dies in Bougainville quake

REPORTS reaching the Post-Courier indicate that a man in Buin, South Bougainville, died during Friday night's earthquake.

The man was reportedly crushed by a collapsing building when the earthquake, measuring 7.3 on the Richter Scale, struck Bougainville around 5pm on Friday night.

Several less dramatic aftershock have been felt in the Autonomous Region last night and today (Saturday) a small tremor was felt about 8am.

Several houses in the Buin District were destroyed as a result of the quake and water tanks sustained damage.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that houses in the nearby Siwai District have also been destroyed.

The earthquake's epicentre was located under the ocean south-west of Panguna, Central Bougainville, and the quake was felt strongly in nearby Arawa. Though no damage has as yet been reported in Arawa, local residents fled their houses during the event.

The remoteness of West Bougainville has made communication difficult and more, as yet unreported, damage is conceivable.

Bougainville lies on the infamous Pacific Ring of Fire and is subject to regular earthquake activity.  According to one reporting agency there have been 60 earthquakes in Bougainville during the last year, five in the last month alone.

But this latest quake is the strongest and most destructive that has been recorded in some time.

It follows severe earthquakes in nearby Solomon Islands and South America over the past week.

14.04.2014

Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

Bougainville & Solomons rocked by strong quakes

A series of strong earthquakes have jolted Solomon islands and Bougainville over the weekend.

A small child was reportedly killed in Buin in southern Bougainville collapsed after two strong quakes on Friday.

Yesterday Solomon Islands was shaken by two major quakes.

A magnitude 7-point-5 quake late last night triggered a tsunami warning for the Solomons, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.

It followed an early morning wake up jolt of a 7.6 magnitude quake.

A series of aftershocks have continued in the area overnight.

Presenter: Catherine Graue

Speaker: David Jepsen, senior seismologist, Geoscience Australia

  LISTEN HERE !  

14.04.2014

Source: Bougainville24

Deadly earthquake rocks region

At least one person has lost their life as Bougainville was shaken by two earthquakes on Friday.

The first earthquake measured 7.3 on the Richter Scale and the aftershock  6.7, with tremors felt from Buka to Buin.

The seismic activity caused the collapse of several houses, with reports of damage in Buin, Kikimogu village, Luaguo village, Torokina and Mongai.

A four year old girl has tragically died in Buin when the house she was in collapsed as a result of the earthquakes.

People in coastal areas are on high alert to the possibility of a tsunami, though no official warning has been issued.

14.04.2014

Source: Papua New Guinea Mine Watch

ESBC: PNG Mine Watch finally turns out as mentally sick and  undecent backdoor player: See below their latest ruthless "art" work!

Made in China: Momis support for Panguna reopening not popular

14.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville yet to set date for new laws

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE Bougainville Executive Council will be meeting before the end of this month to set a date for the three laws that were recently passed by the Autonomous Bougainville Government to come into effect.

These laws include the Bougainville Public Service (Management and Administration), the Bougainville Public Finance and Management and the Contracts and Tenders laws.

According to acting Chief Administrator Chris Siriosi, BEC will agree on a date for President John Momis to publish these laws in the Bougainville Gazette so that they take legal effect.

"As soon as the laws are gazetted, and as soon as the BEC authorizes the President, the President on advice of the BEC will gazette these three laws in the Bougainville Gazette then the laws will have legal effect," said Mr Siriosi.

"This means that the National Public Services Management Act will cease to apply in Bougainville.

The National Public Finances and Management Act will also cease to be used in Bougainville when the Bougainville law is gazette.

The provisions under the National Public Finances law on the awarding of tenders and contracts will also cease to apply when published in the gazette," added Mr Siriosi.

He said the consequential action that must now take place in the administration is to prepare policy submission to be tabled by the Minister of Administrative Services, Joel Banam in the BEC.

Mr Siriosi said the administration is currently working on this policy submission, adding that this submission will basically address issues on the status of the current public service and the transition to the new public service structures

"One of the issues that should be contained in this policy is the appointment of the acting chief secretary.

The chief secretary will have legal power to authorize work developments to develop proposals of the new public service in Bougainville," said Mr Siriosi.

He said immediately after the public service law takes effect, "the chief secretary or the head of the Bougainville Public Service must commission a team of officials and advisors to start work on the development of a new departmentalised organisation structure of the Bougainville Public Service.

"This is important because we need to move towards departmentalization as soon as possible. It is critical that the ministers begin to take control of their departments.

It is critical that the CEOs who will be operating under the title of secretaries and are reporting to their ministers and not reporting to the chief administrator.

Mr Siriosi said another important issue associated with the new structure that needs to be adequately addressed is the budget process of the two governments

"Importantly we must try as much as possible to meet the national government budget process which is critical because of financial issues. We need to finance the Bougainville Public Service in 2015.

If we do not have enough finances to meet the new positions in the Bougainville Public Service, then it will be difficult to implement and achieve the wish of the people of Bougainville.

The acting chief administrator also announced that the first payroll under the Alesco Payroll System for Bougainville should be run on the 15 of May next month, with Mr Siriosi adding that salaries for Bougainville public servants will no longer be "rolled out in Waigani but in Buka".

13.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville projects on track

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

ACTING Chief Administrator Chris Siriosi has announced that work on the implementation of a number of high impact projects (HIPs) in Bougainville has already started.

These projects will be funded out of the K500 million special intervention funding component that the national Government will be allocating to ABG over a period of five years.

The first trench of this K100m funding was released towards the end of 2012 while the second batch of K100m was released recently into an ABG trust account that will be managed by the project management unit.

While speaking on his weekly administrative update program last week, Mr Siriosi said the design works on the K43 million Buka ring road upgrading and sealing project has been completed and a proposal will soon be given for the tendering process to begin.

Mr Siriosi said once all processes are completed, the tender will be made public for those with "capacity and interests in building roads" to apply.

Mr Siriosi said the tender will still be processed by the Central Supply and Tenders Board as Bougainville does not have the capacity to deal with this process at the moment, however ABG will also be involved in the screening process.

"One of the critical areas in which the ABG is involved is to screen the applications. Technical officers will be travelling to Port Moresby after the tenders are received to participate in the evaluation process," Mr Siriosi said, adding that ABG’s involvement is to ensure that the contract is awarded to a refutable company.

"The next is on the Kokopau-Buin road. Work has already started on doing the engineering design works of the road. As soon as this design is completed than will move on to the next phase which is construction," said Mr Siriosi.

Mr Siriosi added that tender will also be issued for those who have the skills and capacity to design the Aropa Airport-Buin town highway, with the actual construction work to begin after the completion of the design works.

He also gave an update on the Aropa Airport reconstruction project saying all documentations have already been completed and is now with the National Airport Corporation.

He said NAC will be issuing the tender within the next few weeks.

Mr Siriosi said the terms of reference (TOR) for consultation, survey and design work on the Arawa-Nagovis-Buin bridges program is almost complete.

"Once that is done bids will be given out to individual companies to come in and do their survey and design before construction phase begins," he said.

He added that the TOR for consultancy, survey and design works on the Jaba-Siwa-Buin road has also been prepared and tenders will be issued soon.

Mr Siriosi also gave a brief update on the ABG’s ICT rollout program, saying work has already started and will soon commence with the second phase.

"That is to move into the districts to setup ICT so that there is improved communication linkages between the headquarters and the districts," said Mr Siriosi.

Meanwhile, Mr Siriosi has revealed that the Australian Government through its aid program is currently in the process of identifying a refutable company to start work on upgrading the Santoro Pass at Leulo in Buin District.

13.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

TSUMANI ALERT AFTER SOLOMON QUAKE

By Aloysius Laukai in Buka

After so many aftershocks from Friday’s twin quakes that damaged houses in Buin, South Bougainville a Tsumani warning has been given by the USGS after 7am PNG Local time.

The Earthquake measuring 7.6 was registered near Kirakira in the Solomon islands this morning.

People near the beach on Bougainville have been warned to be alert for some hours this morning.

We have yet to get some information if a Tsunami was actually created and if some damage has occurred.

13.04.2014

Source: Radio New Zealand International

One confirmed dead following strong earthquakes in Bougainville

Two strong earthquakes on Friday night in Bougainville have claimed the life of a young child as houses collapsed in the southern provinces.

A resident, Lawrence Daveona, says people were running to the hills in fear of a tsunami, but there has been no warning issued and no reports of any tsunami since the 7.3 quake, which was followed by a 6.8 quake.

The Acting Deputy Administrator of Operations for the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Herbert Kimai, says he is still waiting for reports from Torokina and Sewai but says a four-year-old child died in Buin after a house collapsed in Maluata village.

He says other houses collapsed in Ugukau village, and the quakes were also felt as far north as Buka.

"Here in Buka, you know the house swaying and floating, it lasted for a few minutes, I think less than two minutes, but that's Buka, and in Buin it actually got down the houses and of course caused the death of the four year old child. He pronounced dead at the Buin Health Centre last night."

Herbert Kimai says he fears the heavy rains that have caused flooding in the Solomons are headed towards Bougainville.

12.04.2014

Source: EMTV

FOUR YEAR OLD DIES DURING EARTHQUAKE

BY: FABIAN HAKALITZ 

One death has been reported, after an earthquake struck the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

A four year old child from Piano, Buin South Bougainville, died when a house fell on top of him.

He was brought to Buin Health Centre and was confirmed death.

At least, one death, several houses and properties were destroyed in the huge earthquake measuring 7.3 and 7.1 on the Richter scale that shook Bougainville, yesterday afternoon.

Buin, in South Bougainville with a population of over 400 thousand, was the most affected area.

Joseph Maineke, who gives us an update, says the shake was violent.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the tremor was located 52 km south west of Panguna and 54 km deep in the ocean.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said a destructive widespread tsunami wasn’t expected but waves could be generated along the coasts.

The National Disaster Office Acting Director Martin Mose confirmed receiving the alert messages.

Investigations will be conducted first, before any immediate responses will be made.

12.04.2014

Source: Radio New Zealand International

Locals in Bougainville's Arawa flee to hills fearing a tsunami after 7.3 quake

A resident in Bougainville's main town of Arawa says a violent earthquake last night had people running to the hills out of fear of a tsunami.

The 7.3 magnitude quake was centred about 75 kilometres southwest of the main town of Arawa, at a depth of about 50 kilometres.

No tsunami warning was issued.

Lawrence Daveona says he had a bookshelf fall over, but Arawa seems to have escaped any significant damage.

But he says that with Bougainville being in the midst of the rainy season, there may have been some major slips in more isolated areas.

"We don't know what it's like in the bush because we've been having our rainy season and we'll have landslides and I don't know whether this earthquake has affected any of that."

Bougainville resident Lawrence Daveona.

12.04.2014

Source: Radio New Zealand International

Bougainville escapes major damage after 7.3 earthquake

Authorities in Papua New Guinea's Bougainville hope to have a better idea this morning of any damage caused after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near the island Friday night.

The quake was centred about 75 kilometres southwest of the main town of Arawa, at a depth of about 50 kilometres.

No tsunami warning was issued.

The regional commander of Central Bougainville Police, Inspector Januarius Vosivai, says the shaking was very violent in Arawa, with things falling off shelves, but there aren't reports of anything major at this point.

"No, no major damages, but we still need to confirm that. We still haven't received any contact as yet from some surrounding villages if there were any major damages."

The regional commander of Central Bougainville Police, Januarius Vosivai.

12.04.2014

Source: PNG Attitude

I write this in great grief: I have just lost a brother

by LEONARD FONG ROKA 

BUTCHERED like an animal—one of his hands chopped off—in Lae city was my brother, Louis Taneavi (pictured), last Monday. 

He had recently left our home valley of Tumpusiong in the Panguna District in pursuit of an education so he could go back home and contribute to our troubled island, Bougainville. 

Late on Monday afternoon I was in a lecture when the phone rang. I did not answer since the phone was in my school bag. 

When I walked home and was a missed call reminder and a text message from the Panguna Upper Tailings Office in Arawa. I felt fear reading the text, ‘Brother, please call back quickly.’ 

After running around for phone credits, I called home at 7 pm. My cousin, Camillus Kabui, asked me in a heavy and weary voice: ‘Brother, does Louis calls you?’ 

‘Not really,’ I answered, ‘but last weekend, yes, he gave me a call.’ 

‘Yes…me, too,’ said Kabui, ‘he does not call me much.’ 

And Kabui began sobbing, ‘Yes, brother, our brother is now in the morgue. 

‘He has being butchered this morning in Lae. His girl friend just confirmed.’ 

I realised I had tears trickling down my chin and I was crying for my brother as I exchanged words with Kabui and then others who were helping him tell the story. 

My relatives in Arawa discovered the news when a girlfriend of Louis Taneavi called him in Lae and a fellow Bougainvillean answered and told her Louis was dead. 

She could not believe what she heard and called Camillus Kabui and the officers of the Upper Tailings Office. They investigated and confirmed that our brother was in the Lae hospital morgue. 

He was not part of a warring group himself but was residing with someone from the Morobean-Sepik conflict and fell as an innocent victim of that. 

Louis was born in Panguna in 1976, four years after another Panguna man, the late Dr Luke Rovin, who was butchered in Goroka in the Eastern Highlands alongside his mate Peter Moini from Buin, a tragedy which led to massive pro-independence and anti-mining protests on Bougainville. 

In the early 1990s, Louis served in the Bougainville Revolutionary Army but, hearing that schools were open in PNG army controlled areas in Buin where he had relatives, he smuggled his way through the mountains of Nagovis and Siwai and into the Buin area. 

He completed his primary schooling and, upon hearing of my fatherless family in Arawa where schools had opened, he joined us there in early 1996. I was with him at Arawa High School in 1997 when he was doing Grade 8. 

In 1999 he attended Buin High School, went to Tsiroge to join the Marist Brotherhood but, with the alluvial gold mining in Panguna becoming lucrative, he left and came home. 

Here he established himself as a baker and provided scones and cake for the gold panners. He also married and in 2009 established himself as a gold buyer and started a retail outlet. He had two of the biggest and best managed cocoa blocks in the Tumpusiong valley. 

In addition to all these ventures, in 2012 he bought a Nissan Urban bus and started a PMV operation that served the Panguna-Arawa road. 

Then last year he left his Panguna wife and his three children and married in Buin where he fathered a child. 

With the talk of re-opening the Panguna mine, he wanted to attain a certificate to operate plant like cranes, bulldozers, loaders and excavators. His big interest was the excavator. 

In January this year, the Upper Tailings Office in Arawa helped him secure enrolment in a private multi-skills training school in Lae to learn to operate this heavy equipment. And in a few weeks he was operating his dream machine, the excavator. 

Once, when he was once operating the equipment at Lae Stadium, he gave me a call and laughed: ‘Brother, you once were showing off to me at home while running that D6 bulldozer, now I am over you in a larger plant.’ 

Now I have lost a brother who I grew up with through the Bougainville crisis and afterwards. 

We have crossed the Solomon Sea to PNG to be educated and go back and help rebuild our Bougainville. Now my brother is going back in a coffin.  

11.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ONE DEAD IN BUIN

By Aloysius Laukai

New Dawn FM is still collecting latest from mainland Bougainville following the two earthquakes that shook all Bougainville island and Buka island this evening.

Reports from Buin is that a four year old girl died after the house she was in fell to the ground during the earthquake that was measured at 7.3 and the second 7.1.

Six houses in Kikimogu village fell with no casualties. Another four houses also fell to the ground at Luaguo village and at Mongai another four houses could not stand the tremor.

Reports from Torokina which is closer to the epicentre said that they will report in the morning as several houses were also damaged.

We are still gathering information, but from Arawa we gathered that they are still having small tremors tonight a sign of a seismic activity of a volcano.

11.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

WORK ON HIGH IMPACT PROJECTS START ROLLING

By Aloysius Laukai

Work on the identified and funded projects under the FIVE HUNDRED MILLION KINA funds allocated to the ABG by the PNG National Government, for HIGH IMPACT Projects have started according to the Acting Chief Administrator, CHRIS SIRIOSI.

MR. SIRIOSI said that the administration has started implementing the HIGH IMPACT Projects whilst others are just awaiting Quotations for the materials that will be used.

The Acting Chief Administrator revealed this in his weekly radio program aired by both the NEW DAWN FM and Radio Bougainville every Thursday evenings.

On the status of the High Impact Projects, Buka ring road, MR. SIRIOSI said that the design work has been completed and the proposals will be put on tender and funding for this project is FORTY THREE MILLION KINA.

He said that they are expecting that a good reputable company will be awarded the contract so that the work can progress forward.

On the Aropa to Buin road, design work will be completed soon before tender is given for the work to begin.

On the Aropa airport reconstruction, MR. SIRIOSI said that all the design work has been completed and are now with the National Airport Corporation who will be in-charge of the project.

On Santoro Pass, MR. SIRIOSI says that funding will be from the Australian Government and Road Consults is working on it and tenders should be released soon.

On the Arawa , Nagovis, Buin Bridges program, work has already started to work out the designs and tenders will released soon.

11.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

NOPEI SAYS GOOD LEADERSHIP BRINGS CHANGES

By Alex Munme

MINISTER for LLG and Communication, Joseph Nopei has challenged the people of Rau Constituency to choose good leadership who can bring changes to the community.

The Minister issued the challenge while speaking at the Launching of a vehicle to the COE of Rau yesterday in Wakunai District of Central Bougainville Region.

He said many leaders are only good at talking but could not deliver and change the lives of the people.

He said while Bougainville is still recovering good leaders talk and act at the same time to make changes.

The Minister also encouraged the people to pay head tax for development purposes.

He said if the people want services, they must pay head tax.

He also encouraged the people on unity, good governance, awareness, arms disposal and others.

The Minister travelled to the launching with Member for Rau Constituency, Thomas Keriri, LLG Senior Officer, Sione Nash and other Officials.

11.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

DPI MINISTER VISITS PORORAN SEA WEED FARMING

By Alex Munme

THE ABG Minister for DPI and Fisheries, Nicholas Daku has visited the Pororan Sea Weed Farming yesterday just off the northern tip of Buka Island.

Minister Daku was accompanied by CEO Commerce, Albert Kinani, Atolls District Sea Weed Farming Coordinator, Kenneth Kumul and three other officials.

Arriving at the farm the Minister got on an outrigger canoe and personally inspected the sea crops and later visited the people of Hita Island and spoke to them.

While speaking to the people the Minister encouraged them to properly look after the crop as it will address their need for food security on the Island.

He was very pleased to see the people working on the farm and learnt that although it was only six weeks after planting, the crop was growing very fast.

The Minister also encouraged other Islanders to wait patiently as the project is expanding and will also reach them.

He told the people that the Government should put more money into sea weed farming due to its economic benefit.

11.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LEITANA CALLS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION

By Alex Munme

THE Director of Leitana Nehan Women’s Development Agency, Helen Hakena is calling on all Bougainvillean’s to protect and promote human rights in the region.

She made the call while speaking to New Dawn FM today in Buka.

Mrs. Hakena says that violence on landowner issues are now on the rise and women and children are vulnerable to these issues.

She says that in the past women and children were protected by Uncles and men when it comes to landowner issues and violence however that is no longer the case in our communities now.

Mrs. Hakena calls on all Bougainvillean’s to come forward and address landowner violence and protect the victims.

She says that every Bougainvillean must be an active by stander in time of domestic and landowner violence to protect and promote human rights in the communities and to avoid deaths.

11.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

FAMILIES CAN PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR TOURISTS

By Alex Munme

GUEST Houses are not the only ideal place for tourist accommodation.

Chief Executive Officer for Culture and Tourism in Bougainville, Lawrence Bele told New Dawn FM today in Buka.

Mr. Bele said even families can provide accommodation for tourists in the villages.

Mr. Bele said home stay and private lawn in the villages can be used to accommodate and earn money from back packers.

Meanwhile he said most guest houses in the region are run down and needs improvement.

Mr. Bele encouraged owners to maintain these guest houses in order to sustain the business in the region.

He said these guest houses can compete in the business but need to work together for the good of the industry. 

11.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

EARTHQUAKE IN SOUTH BOUGAINVILLE

By Aloysius Laukai

A huge earthquake that measured 7.3 was felt throughout Bougainville this afternoon.

The quake according to the USGS site was located 52 km South west of Panguna and 54 km deep in the ocean.

New Dawn FM quickly called and found out the tremor was felt strongly near Panguna and in Buin, South Bougainville.

According to JOSEPH MAINEKE from Buin, two school water tanks belonging to the TURIBOIRU Primary school were thrown of their stands and fell to the ground.

No death has been reported so far.

11.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Earthquake shakes Central Bougainville

By DAVID LORNIE

AN earthquake shook Central Bougainville at around 5pm today and was felt by residents of former capital Arawa. Buildings shook and house fittings were rattled.

According to recording centres situated in the Pacific, the quake measured 7.3 on the richter scale and originated 61km South West of Panguna, site of the now-defunct copper-rich mine that was the flashpoint for the 10-year Bougainville Civil War against Papua New Guinea.

No fatalities have as yet been recorded in Bougainville though local residents were shocked by the magnitude of the quake. The tremor follows several around the Pacific Region, the notorious Ring of Fire.

Corresponding with cyclonic weather in the South Pacific, one Arawa resident rang the Post-Courier to suggest that nature is "angry".

11.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BOUGAINVILLE LAWS TAKES EFFECT AFTER APRIL 30TH

By Aloysius Laukai

The Three new laws enacted by the ABG Parliament two weeks ago will have legal effect as soon as the ABG President, Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS, acting on advice of the Bougainville Executive Council publishes them on the Bougainville Government Gazette.

These Bougainville laws are the Bougainville Public service and administration law, Bougainville Public Finance and Management Law and the Bougainville Contract and Supply Law.

The Bougainville Chief Administrator, CHRIS SIRIOSI made this known on his weekly radio Program on New Dawn FM today.

MR. SIRIOSI said that as soon as these laws are gazetted, the National laws on Public service and the other two laws will cease operating on Bougainville.

He said that it is anticipated that this gazette will be published by the 30th of April, 2014.

The Acting Chief Administrator said that a policy submission is been worked on to be presented to the BEC by the Minister for Administrative Services, JOEL BANAM to advice the BEC on the status and capacity of how these laws will be operated under the ABG.

He said that one trigger to make sure the law starts operating on Bougainville will be appointment of a Bougainville Acting Chief Secretary who will be in-charge of all the changes that will take place from the former National Government function to the ABG Function.

11.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BOUGAINVILLE FESTIVALS DATES SET

By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville will for the first time set dates for Bougainville Festivals that will be held throughout the region starting this year.

This was revealed today in Buka by the CEO for Culture and Tourism Division, LAWRENCE BELLEH.

He said the first Festival will be the BOUGAINVILLE GARAMUT AND TUIRUMA FESTIVAL that will be held at the Buin Show ground from the 29th- 30th May, 2014.

This festival will be a special that will display GARAMUT(DRUMS) and the different ways of beating the drum during feasting, time of war and to announce meetings or to announce the death of a person in the communities.

MR. BELLEH said that this festival will be an avenue for the people all over Bougainville to show case their different types of Garamut drums and Kundu.

The Bougainville Khaur or Reeds festival is the next one to be held in Arawa 20thto the21st of June at the Arawa Independence Oval.

The third festival will be held also in June and to be called the Bougainville BILAS and Cocoa festival to be staged at the Tinputz Station.This festival is to show case Agricultural products and also the different types and colours of Laplaps dressings and other decorations.

The fourth festival will be the Bougainville UPE and Mask festival to be held in Wakunai from July 24th to July 26th.

This festival in Wakunai is for groups to showcase their different types of masks from all over Bougainville.

AND the big Bougainville festival will be the BOUGAINVILLE MONA FESTIVAL to be held from 28th- August to 30th August, 2014 at the BUKA SHOW GROUND.

This festival will be the biggest to cover the MONA canoe race and other activities.

Apart from these festivals, MR BELLEH also announced three Children’s festivals to be held simultaneously on 14th June in Arawa, Buin and Buka to start the celebrations for the June 15th Bougainville day celebrations.

He said that the ABG this year allocated TWO MILLION KINA under the Impact Projects to kick start the work of Tourism in the region.

11.04.2014

Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

Bougainville prepares for independence with own public service

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has taken a big step towards independence by passing laws that will allow it to operate its own public service system.

The move comes ahead of a date being set for a referendum on independence, with the government due to name the day before the end of this year.

Bougainville's President, John Momis, says for too long the public service has been run by the old guard, and the region's development has suffered as a result.

Presenter: Richard Ewart

Speaker: John Momis, President, Autonomous Bougainville Government

  LISTEN HERE !  

11.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville police warn against threats

POLICE will not hesitate to arrest those who want to take the law into their own hands.

This warning came from the North Bougainville police chief, Inspector Spencer Aili.

Insp Aili said instead of taking retaliatory measures, people should let the law take its course by punishing the perpetrators.

"I am appealing to those who have any grievances against others not to take the law into your own hands," Insp Aili said.

"Police will not hesitate to arrest those who want to take the law into their own hands."

Insp Aili issued the warning following reports received early this week of threats issued by the relatives of a young man from the Tonsu constituency of Buka who was murdered towards the end of last year by his neighbour.

The two argued over the ownership of a power adapter, resulting in the killing of the deceased.

"We must understand that the incident at Tonsu came about following an argument between the deceased and the suspect. The suspect was not ordered by his relatives to murder the deceased.

"That is why retaliatory measures should not be carried out on the relatives of the suspect," said Insp Aili.

Member for Tonsu constituency Joel Banam also made the same appeal to the disgruntled relatives this week not to take the law into their own hands.

11.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

High hopes for mine

By DAVID LORNIE

MINING company Bougainville Copper Limited is upbeat about prospects of re-opening the controversial Panguna Copper Mine in Bougainville.

The richly resourced mine was the initial cause of the bloody Bougainville Conflict, which claimed thousands of lives.

In the company’s recently released annual report, BCL cites the January visit by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville as having "generated a wave of conciliatory sentiment among many stakeholder groupings previously unwilling to declare an end to long held hostilities."

The PM’s visit, a historic event in Bougainville’s continuing peace process, has set in motion events favourable to a potential re-opening of the mine.

Mr O’Neill visited the no-go zone of Panguna and was welcomed with open arms by the breakaway Me’ekamui Government of Unity who control the area with their armed militia, the Me’ekamui Defence Force.

BCL chairman Peter Taylor said, "I believe this highly publicised and widely witnessed event will provide impetus to the Bougainville Copper Bel Kol process and all that is planned to follow."

The company says it is "encouraged by this new spirit of engagement" and "is in closer dialogue with the national Government".

There are planned reconciliation ceremonies to be held this year with the Bougainville people in recognition of the havoc and destruction caused by the previous mine operations.

The first step towards BCL’s proposed reintroduction into Bougainville is a huge and highly significant "bel kol" ceremony planned in Central Bougainville this year. This will be a defining moment for both the company and the people of the Autonomous Region.

Ex-combatants on the ground have long been vocal about their expectations from the mining company and many are still hardliners, having spilt blood and lost fellow fighters during the ten-year war. They will not be easily appeased.

11.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Tribunal wants liquor law reviewed

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE LICENSE Review Tribunal that was set up to look into any issues associated with decisions made by the Bougainville Liquor Licensing Commission has made recommendations that there is an urgent need for the Autonomous Bougainville Government to make amendments on the Liquor Control Act, 2001 and the Liquor Control (Amendment) Act, 2013.

According to the tribunal, the amendments to this legislation must be done to give more powers to the tribunal or the liquor commission to perform their duties.

The tribunal, which is chaired by senior provincial magistrate Bruce Tasikul with Stella Tunim and Ps Alcthin Puaria as members, had made this recommendation last month while looking into an appeal made by one of the liquor distributors in Bougainville following the commission’s decision to cancel the company’s trading license.

The liquor commission had decided to take this move citing failure by the company to pay over K1.2 million in outstanding beer sales taxes to the Autonomous Bougainville Government dating back to December 2012.

“It is the tribunal view that the ABG should re-visit these legislations and make amendments giving powers to the tribunal of the Bougainville Liquor Licensing Commission additional powers to accommodate the amendments in section 24 and section 74 of the Liquor Control (Amendment) Act, 2013,” the tribunal said.

“Moreover, the whole Liquor Control Act, 2001, needs to be reviewed and amended to meet the changing circumstances as this piece of legislation was enacted during the Bougainville interim provincial government and it is outdated.

Bougainville has moved on from the Bougainville Provincial Government to an Autonomous Government, the tribunal said.

The tribunal was established under section 20 (1) of the Liquor Control Act, 2001 while its jurisdictions are specified under section 21 of that same Act.

11.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Murder suspects in custody

POLICE in Buka have already rounded up three suspects in connection with the recent killing of a South Bougainville man at Bonus near Kokopau town in the northern tip of mainland Bougainville more than a fortnight ago.

According to the North Bougainville police boss Inspector Spencer Aili, the three men are currently locked up at Buka police station.

Mr Aili said they are yet to be formally arrested and charged as police are still waiting for independent witnesses to come forward with information, including the identity of the person who delivered the fatal punch that killed the man.

He said these three were with a fourth who is yet to be arrested. Insp Aili said the fourth suspect had escorted the deceased from Buka town to Kokopau and is calling for information from witnesses.

He also said the identity of the suspect is known to police.

Meanwhile, Insp Aili is appealing to Bougainvilleans to co-operate with police and bring those who have been involved in any crime to face the law. He said many times people say that it is the responsibility of police to go into the communities and arrest lawbreakers, without realising that police also need the support of people in order to effectively perform their duties in arresting and charging the criminals.

11.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Police kills big croc near Buka town

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

A FIVE metre long crocodile was killed by police near Buka town last week. The reptile was first spotted near Sohano Island and later swam with the sea current along the Buka passage towards Ieta village.

Police upon receiving information on the presence of the crocodile at the passage quickly gave chase and started firing before killing it near Ieta village. The reptile was later chopped into pieces and its meat distributed among the families there.

Meanwhile, North Bougainville police commander Inspector Spencer Aili is appealing to people especially those that live near the sea or swamp areas to be always on the lookout for crocodiles. “Those who are going fishing or on a picnic trip to the islands must always take extra care.

There have been many reports of crocodiles being sighted by people so that is why people must take extra precaution when going out to sea or in rivers that are normally frequented by these reptiles,” Mr Aili said.

“Crocodiles are very dangerous and can kill people. If there is any sighting of a crocodile please quickly notify police so that we can go and hunt it down,” added Mr Aili.

11.04.2014

Source: Bougainville24

In-demand IT specialist sees future in Arawa

By Ishmael Palipal

Eugene Sive (pictured) is a descendent of mixed parentage of Siwai in South Bougainville and Koianu in the Central Bougainville area, however he spent most of his life in Port Moresby where his father works for the PNG Power.

Eugene has found a niche as an expert in IT networking, a speciality in high demand in Papua New Guinea

“I been an employee for University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) for 3 years now, working as a technician for Science and Mathematics Department,” Mr Sive said.

“Though the institution hasn’t yet provided me with a house which they had promised me.”

Eugene is employed to UPNG to improve the computer networking system of the Science and Mathematics Department.

This involves upgrading systems to the latest versions to implement an email system for the students that is conforms to contemporary standards.

While implementing this project for UPNG, business has taken off unexpectedly for Eugene.

Apart from being a UPNG employee, he now works as a consultant for other companies when they need help in computer technology problems.

“Recently, I was called up to LNG site to do some computer setups there,” Eugene said while demonstrating some of the system types he had tested for to be for the site.

“IT technician is a very big need around the country.”

Eugene has an office in Port Moresby, but is looking forward to setting up an office down in Arawa as the town continues to grow.

10.04.2014

Source: EMTV

PANGUNA PEOPLE'S CHOICE

The Autonomous Bougainville Government will not make any decisions relating to the Panguna Mine reopening as stated by President Chief, Dr. John Momis. It’s the call for the Panguna landowners and Bougainvilleans, due to the political history that caused the crisis.

President Chief Dr John Momis, in his ministerial speech during the Bougainville House of Representatives sitting, clarified that the ABG had no power to reopen the mine.

During the Prime Minister’s goodwill visit to the autonomous region in January, Mr O’Neill pointed out that the National Government’s interest was to rebuild infrastructures and restore services.

Momis said that it has always been wrongly perceived that the ABG has the sole power to reopen the mine. However, the ABG established a framework assisting with negotiations, coordinated by the Panguna Office under the Bougainville Constitution requirements and legal boundaries.

The Bougainville Executive Council established this entity in 2012. Momis said the entity is also responsible for the consultative forums and instrumental in securing the annual five million kina support grant for the negotiations program.

Momis said Panguna is still the autonomous government’s focus, but that will depend on the negotiations aftermath.

10.04.2014

Source: EMTV

CITIZENS URGED TO PROTECT CUSTOMARY LAND

Papua New Guineans have been urged not to sell their land freely. This was a topic of concern raised on land mediation in Buka. It was discussed that “the selling customary land is the selling of birth right, which in turn creates future problems.”

Advocator Agnes Titus said that dialogue involving the clan is negotiable, rather than individuals, who have often sold the land for their own personal interests and not for the clan or tribe.

Melchior Dare, Minister for Community Development Ministers of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, warned that it is an illegal practice to sell land that is publicly owned.

Such practices have resulted in many conflicts that had no win-win solution or no negotiable outcome.

Many projects have also failed, which is due to the personal interest of people.

The landowners have been urged to register their land in order to preserve and solidify their legal authentication.

10.04.2014

Source: The National

ABG sets up investment arm

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has established an investment bureau to attract national and international businesses to the region, Business Advantage PNG reports.

Agriculture, tourism, fisheries and mining will be the focus investment sectors, according to Tim Gibson, chief executive officer of New Zealand company Tuia International, who has spent more than two years in Bougainville advising on new investment laws.

The Bougainville Inward Investment Bureau (BIIB) will aim to ensure that any foreign investment is responsible and meets Bougainville’s cultural, economic, environmental and social needs.

“In the 17 years since the end of the Bougainville conflict, the government of Bougainville has been very concerned about ‘how to encourage investment and protect their society and values,” Gibson told Business Advantage PNG.

“They want to participate in the development, not just be spectators.”

“The issue in the past has been that too many people have come up to take advantage of the situation, and of vulnerable people,” he said.

Gibson said the opportunities in Bougainville may include mining but Bougainville has lots of natural resources – agriculture, cocoa, copra, virgin coconut oil – as well as land and sea based resources that do not require extraction from under the ground.

He outlined the six principles which would guide investment approvals; that projects;

• Align with local values and cultures;
• are ethical, moral and fair;
• recognise and protect land rights;
• are environmentally sustainable;
• involve the maximum participation of Bougainvilleans; and:
• Achieve cultural and social outcomes.

10.04.2014

Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

Bougainville copper shareholders call for independent inquiry

ESBC's comment: The ESBC are not aware of the existence of such group of BCL shareholders. Until now the ESBC are the only organised group of shareholders. It holds a stake of about five percent in BCL.  Caroline Le Couteur is a former politician of the Australian green party. Her statements are friendly but naively verbiage. It contains issues which are not new. The interview is so far a non-event.

A group of shareholders is calling on the Rio-Tinto subsidiary, Bougainville Copper to appoint an independent jurist to conduct a full inquiry into the involvement of the company in the civil war on Bougainville, before it goes ahead with any plans to re-open its mine.

The move is being co-ordinated by a new lobby group, the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility.

Prior to taking on the job as the Centre's Executive Director, Caroline Le Couteur, spent 17 years on the board of Australian Ethical Investments Ltd, a company with more than $700 million under management.

Presenter: Jemima Garrett

Speaker: Caroline Le Couteur (pictured below), Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility Executive Director

  LISTEN HERE !  

LE COUTEUR: I think the biggest issue still burning in Bougainville is the results of the civil war in Bougainville. As you may be aware, between ten and twenty thousand people died after conflict broke out in 1989. During that period there was clearly involvement of both Bougainville Copper and the Papua New Guinea government and I think the wounds from that are still not have still not healed that is the biggest issue. There is also, of course, the issue of the major environmental effects the mine has had and the economic issues of just compensation and who gets the significant financial rewards from, the potential financial rewards from the mine.

GARRETT: Why are shareholders interested in this issue?

LE COUTEUR: shareholders are interested in this because clearly the mine at Panguna is potentially a very valuable mine. It's potentially the largest copper and gold mine in the world and it is in the interests of shareholders in Bougainville Copper that it open but only if it opens in a way that does not have the sort of conflict and problems that were there before. We want to see it re-open and in a way that everybody is happy with it.

GARRETT: The Bougainville government and landowners and, in fact Bougainville Copper, are already involved in a lengthy process to do just this. Why isn't that enough?

LE COUTEUR: Well, I think as Bougainville Copper was a significant part of the previous problems. I mean we can argue about how big the part was but I think everyone would agree that they were a significant part of that. I think it is important in terms of having a fresh start for Bougainville Copper, that we are starting again, that we are listening to the people of Bougainville and that is why we are looking for an independent person to, on behalf of Bougainville Copper, to look at what the issues are and how things can be better in the future. There is no interest for shareholders obviously in repeating the problems of the past. We want a positive future and that will only be a positive future if the people of Bougainville feel it is going to be a positive future.

GARRETT: You say you have put these two resolutions on the agenda of Bougainville Copper's annual general meeting in May. Have the resolutions been accepted by Bougainville Copper and what is the process from here?

LE COUTEUR: OK! They are on the agenda for Bougainville copper's annual general meeting. We are confident that some of them, at least, will be passed and the reason that we are confident is that, as you are probably aware, Bougainville copper's largest shareholder, 53 per cent owner, is Rio-Tinto. And some of the initiatives that we have asked to be passed are things that Rio Tinto has already committed to. We are specifically asking for Bougainville Copper to agree to three international agreements about good operations as a mining company; the UN (United Nations) Global compact, there is the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Minerals. All of them have commitments Rio has made. All of them , we are confident, that Bougainville Copper should be able to sign up for.

GARRETT: Have you approached other shareholders in Bougainville Copper about this?

LE COUTEUR: We have approached Rio Tinto and in fact we are meeting with Rio Tinto in a couple of weeks. We have tried our utmost to approach the PNG government, because as you might be aware they area nineteen per cent shareholder. At this stage we haven't received any reply to our letters to the PNG government. We have been to their embassy in Canberra. We actually paid for an advertisement in the local newspaper because we have failed to contact the PNG government. We are also hoping that the advertisement in the paper will be a way of informing other shareholders because quite a few people who live in Bougainville and PNG are, of course, shareholders in Bougainville Copper.

10.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BOUGAINVILLE CHIEF WANTS GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION INTO LAE PROBLEM

By Aloysius Laukai

The former Bougainville People’s Congress Speaker, LINUS KONUKUNG wants the National and ABG Government to intervene on the current killings and retaliations between the people of Bougainville and East Sepik living on Lae’s Back street to save lives and properties.

MR. KONUNKUNG said that the Government leaders especially the National members for Central and South Bougainville must immediately liaise with their National counterparts and not let the situation to get out of hand.

Speaking from BUIN by phone, MR. KONUKUNG said that he was very concerned at the situation and wants the leaders to intervene now.

On the lives and properties already lost, MR. KONUNKUNG also called on the ABG and the National government including the National Members to negotiate and find an amicable solution to the problem once and for all.

MR. KONUKUNG said that Police must also be seen as protecting lives and properties of innocent people who have been inconvenienced for nothing.

He was very sorry that the leaders have not made any attempts to intervene earlier. 

10.04.2014

Source: Bougainville24

Kimberly Kobal – An inspiration to female students

By Ancitha Semoso

Among the Bougainville students who graduated on Sunday 9 March at Divine Word University was former Bougainville Students Association vice president, Kimberly Kobal (pictured).

Kimberly is from the northern tip of Buka called Haku, where she was raised by her father as a single parent, following the death of her mother.

As the eldest sibling, she has set a good example for her family after some difficult years.

Kimberly took on a course in Information and Technology without hesitation, a sector that is make dominated. Kimberly showed to other Bougainville female students that, there is nothing that they can’t do.

She managed good marks since her first year (2010) and was able to complete her studies successfully in 2013.

Ms Kobal portrays the leadership skills in herself and in most times she spent in the IS block doing her school work.

Given the responsibility of vice president in the club (Bougainville Students Association), Kobal handled the leadership challenges with confident and was so committed to the club activities every single day of her life at Divine Word University.

She is such a good role model for the students of the club which are yet to complete our studies.

These achievements by women leaders or role models should inspire us to realise that despite all odds, we can still make a difference in our lives, those of our families and our communities.

Behind every successful story there is also some pain. For this young and beautiful black Bougainville girl, her mother died leaving her with her father. He brought her up from the day her mother passed til she attained her bachelor in Information and Technology.

A young woman’s struggles should be seen as a positive stepping stone where you will see the need for committing yourself to your education.

Education is a major tool in a successful life in this modern age so girls should be provided the best education because they can be great agents of change for their own families, their communities, region and the nation as a whole.

09.04.2014

Source: EMTV

ARAWA HEALTH CENTER RESTORATION: SAVING LIVES

Since Arawa Health Centre resumed its surgical operations last year, more patients have accessed these services.

Resident doctor, Joe Vilosi (pictured) said the restoration of such services, has reduced costs and saved time, rather for patients to travel all the way to Buka.

Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr Joe Vilosi, says in the last four months Arawa Health Centre, has recorded an increase in surgery cases, since operations were resumed in December 2013.

Previously, patients would travel all the way to Buka, to access the service, at the main hospital. These were mainly women with pregnancy complications from Central and South Bougainville. Some survived, while some died along the way.

Patients do not need to travel to Buka, but can now do consultations, with the doctor’s presence. It saves time and money.

Dr Vilosi pointed out, that twenty eight maternal deaths per year were recorded, but now it has been reduced to six. More awareness on family and reproductive health was the target, conducted within the Arawa Town vicinity, and the communities around.

Buka General Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Cyril Imako, speaking off camera, told EMTV News: “Fewer patients from mainland Bougainville were admitted, since surgical operations were restored in Arawa.

09.04.2014

Source: PNGexposed

ESBC's comment: PNGexposed, the ruthless partner Blog of Papu New Guinea Mine Watch, continues its absurd war against Rio Tinto and Australia:

Australian ‘aid’ aims to ensure Bougainville subservience

The Australian government has already assumed the role of regional sheriff and wants to sit astride a region of compliant states and micro-states. This means other countries markets and resources should be open to foreign capital without barriers such as the muscular protection of landowner rights, or strong environmental laws. Australia is targeting its aid spending to ensure Bougainville fits this model.

Whatever the future for Bougainville, Australia wants to ensure the island is a subservient neighbor providing a supporting role to Australia’s own economic and political interests. Australia is therefore targeting its aid spending to ensure that outcome, placing consultants in key political and financial roles and neglecting health and other people-centered sectors.

Australia’s emphasis is clearly demonstrated in new figures that show the breakdown of aid spending by Australia on consultants for the resource-rich island of Bougianville.

Figures released by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (see below) show that over 90% of $2.9 million per annum spent on the wages of consultant working for Australia on Bougainville is directed at ensuring Australian political structures, policy priorities, economic models, and security interests dominate in the new Bougainville government and bureaucracy.

In contrast, less than 9% of spending is targeted at health and HIV prevention and Australia is spending NOTHING on consultants for agriculture development, extension services to support self-sufficiency or women’s and youth programs.

In all, Australia is funding 22 consultant positions on Bougainville. Twenty-one of those consultants are working on governance, law and justice and mining programs.

Over half the consultants are working directly with government departments, writing legislation and advising on the drafting of policy, financial management and  procurement.

This all means Australia in a powerful position to ensure its interests and those of its largest corporations are well taken care of in Bougainville’s future.

As a state-builder, Australia builds in its own image, and wants to ensure Melanesian countries act as stewards for foreign companies rather than as the protectors of their own citizens. As a result the people have already had to suffer at the hands of transnational corporations like Rio Tinto, BHP, Rimbunan Hijau and Exxon-Mobil – and it looks as if Bougainville will continue the trend…

09.04.2014

Source: Bougainville24

The new artificial climate at Manee

By Peter Junior Karatapi

In the remote area of Sisikai, at the Kongara border, there is a place named Manee where people have been impressed with the interesting and original idea from local man Leo ‘Divanaa’ Orinu.

Divanaa has a fish pond with a haus win (public meeting place) erected rin the middle of the water, which has attracted local people and as well as tourists.

The fish have become tamed and newcomers even go crazy when seeing the school of fish feeding from the people’s hands.

Divanaa came up with the idea in mid-2010 with the help of his father Thomas Orinu, to create an income earning opportunity. So with the help of his family members and the local people, they started constructing the fish pond.

They built the haus win right at the middle of the water and after the construction was completed they put the fish into the pond.

Leo ‘Divanaa’ Orinu feeding his fish with cooked snail’s tongue.

Divanaa was not done yet and he then constructed a hydro power source, which would provide power supply 24/7 free of charge; to the newly created home.

Generally the pond is supplied with two streams coming from the foothills of Sisikai, which is surrounded by untouched rainforest. The place is quite cold, even with sunshine, and fog is common. It is a peaceful place and is home to much wildlife such as cuscus, birds, wild dogs and wild cats.

Divanaa is a proud man and wants to continue to develop the tourism industry in the area.

09.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

NO TO SALE OF CUSTOMARY LAND

By Aloysius Laukai

The Regional Customary Lands Officer, HENRY STALEI is encouraging customary landowners not to sell their land as they could be selling their birth right to someone else and this could lead to problems for them and their future generations long term sufferings.

Speaking to New Dawn FM today, MR. STALEI said that his office is discouraging any further sale of land as problems concerning similar sales in the past are increasing throughout the region.

MR. STALEI said that ownership of customary land is by clans and not individuals which means clan members rights are limited to the use of these land and must not be sold as a piece of object by one person.

He said that Bougainvilleans value land as a sacred things that cannot be removed from its owners who rely entirely for their daily livelihood.

On land that had been bought previously, MR. STALEI said that these land should be registered with his office so that there is record for these lands.

He said that any future land acquisition must be fully documented so that if any disputes arise in the future, these records can be used to settle these disputes with the courts.

09.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LAND BOUNDARIES MUST BE CLEAR SAYS STALEI

By Aloysius Laukai

Landowners especially on Buka island and other Atolls islands have been called on to make sure their land boundaries are clear.

He made these remarks on New Dawn FM today.

MR. STALEI said that unlike land on the mainland, land on Buka island and other Atolls are difficult for someone to identify boundaries and there fore something must be done to identify them.

He said on mainland Bougainville it is easy as rivers and mountains are used as identified objects of setting boundaries.

MR. STALEI said that issues on land boundaries especially between the Solos people and the Hagogohe people and between Hagogohe,Halia and Haku constituencies must be sorted out to stop many land problems that continue to hinder progress in these areas.

09.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

TONSU MEMBER APPEALS FOR RULE OF LAW

By Alex Munme

THE ABG Member for Tonsu Constituency, Joel Banam has called on the people of Peit to allow the law to take its course over the killing of a man in the Tonsu area not long ago.

Speaking at a Press Conference today in Buka, Mr. Banam said the rules are there and we have to abide by the law in dealing with such issues.

To properly deal with the issues relating to the killing, Mr. Banam is calling for a meeting with the Chief of Tonsu and Peit at the Administration Conference Room in Buka at a date they will decide on.

He said the law is there to make sure there is peace when there is a serious situation and trouble.

Mr. Banam said the Momis Government is there to uphold Christian and other cultural values that we must heed to.

He said only two people were involved in the killing and since then the accuser is now behind bars and the law will deal with him.

The Member also appealed to the people to abstain from taking drugs as this may lead to killings.

09.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

TOHIANA HITS BACK ON ONSA COMMENTS

By Alex Munme

THE Buka Urban Council Manageress, Brenda Tohiana has knocked back on the comments made by Henry Onsa on issues affecting Buka town aired last Friday on New Dawn FM’s Bougainville Today’s program.

These issues include the question of when sealing for the Buka town roads will begin, where the K3m committed by the Prime Minister has gone to and misuse of Urban Council Vehicle leading to the push for her removal from the position.

While clearing the air on the issues, Mrs. Tohiana says that Mr. Onsa aired his comments without finding the real facts.

She says that the K3m committed by the Prime Minister was not meant to be for Buka Urban Council to upgrade and seal the town roads. She says that the funds were paid to Dekenai to do the sealing of roads in Buka town.

Mrs. Tohiana among other things also says that despite resources and financial constraints, she has managed the council up to the present time due to her heart for the people.

09.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

TSITALATO HOLDS SOCCER TOURNAMENT

By Alex Munme

THE Long awaited Tsitalato Soccer Seven’s Tournament is now finalized and will kick off soon.

After last weekend’s meeting, the President of Tsitalato Football Association, Justin Helele now has the dates, Prizes and registration fees finalized for the tournament.

The Tournament starts on April 28th and will run through to the 03rd May, 2014.

Venue for the Tournament is Tsitalato Oval and player registration fee is K10 per player.

Prizes will be offered to 1st Male and Female teams at K3,000.00 apiece , 2nd Male and Female K1,500.00 respectively, 3RD Male and Female K1,000.00, 4th Male and Female gets K500.00 each. Pool winners also get K200 each.

The Tournament is Sponsored by the ABG Member for Tsitalato, Cosmas Sohia at a total cost of K15,000.00

09.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

AGM APPOINTS NEW BOUGAINVILLE SOCCER EXECUTIVES

By Aloysius Laukai

The Bougainville Football Soccer Association’s Annual General Meeting has voted JOE MAINEKE a Soccer veteran as the President for the next four years.

This was revealed by the President on New Dawn FM today.

MR. MAINEKE said that his deputy is SUSSEL TSUGA ,JUNIOR VICE PRESIDENT, PETER TAREASI and with ten other Committee members to support the running of the Association in the next four years.

He said that he was happy to lead the Association in the next four years stating that Bougainville Football Association was now preparing for the official work to start on the MANETAI SOCCER ACADEMY.

He said that the FIFA committee has already approved the establishment of the academy in Manetai Central Bougainville with funds totalling ONE POINT 8 MILLION KINA.

MR. MAINEKE said that the ABG through the Community Development Minister, MELCHIOR DARE has also allocated Two Million Kina as counter funding for the project that will eventually boost the level of soccer in the region to another level.

The President of Bougainville Soccer Association also announced a special meeting scheduled for the First of May 2014 in Arawa and wants all committee members to attend.

09.04.2014

Source: PNG Attitude

Disaster capitalism: Build a better PNG or profit from misery?

by Martyn Namorong in Bougainville

WHILST in Bougainville a couple of years back I loved the cool evenings when I used to go for a swim in the Buka Passage.

This provided comfort from the hot humid days. I also remember travelling down to Tinputz from Kokopau. The trip along the dusty limestone road was punctuated by white crosses that reminded everyone of the end of conflict.

I have since had a fondness for Bougainville as it seemed so shocking to me that such beautiful people living in Paradise would be subject to the horrors of war.

My view has always been a sense that the PNG government had betrayed its own people. The Bouginvilleans themselves took Rio Tinto to the courts in the United States however the courts rejected their case.

The interaction of forces that triggered the Bougainville crisis are complex. For instance, was it driven by secessionist sentiments that predate PNG’s independence or were these sentiments exploited by Panguna landowners in order to drag the island into their dispute over distribution of royalties?

There is also the narrative that the PNG government was fighting a proxy war for foreign interests.

Being in Bougainville and meeting people on the ground doesn’t make me an expert. But I find Bougainville’s reconstruction remarkable. Starved off finances from outside, the people have used their own initiative to literally build from scratch, albeit rather chaotically as is the case at Kokopau.

Seeing the entrepreneurial spirit of Bougainvilleans made me wonder what could have been had there not been conflict on the island. I find a paradox in the Bougainvillean experience in that rather than providing more political, financial and environmental concessions; the state would risk losing much of its revenue by going to war.

I never understood this paradox until I read Naomi Klein’s The Shock Doctrine. The book essentially takes the reader to a journey through history that is framed by the lens of the Milton Freedman and the Chicago school of economics.

If one applies The Shock Doctrine to the Bougainville situation, one sees the opportunity that the war provided. As key players like Francis Ona and Joseph Kabui are now out of the picture, history is being reinterpreted to suit the needs of those seeking opportunities in Bougainville.

As seen recently by the visit by the PNG prime minister to Bougainville, some of the original demands that triggered the crisis can be whitewashed in the name of peace.

And so as Bougainvilleans still traumatised by the war, remain in a state of shock and confusion, opportunists have invaded the island to peddle their versions of salvation and the road to heaven.

Naomi Klein highlights something that Bougainvilleans need to take note of – economic independence. Whilst she points out the case of South Africa’s ANC gaining political concessions and losing economic power, Bougainvilleans need not look any further than PNG.

Throughout PNG, unregulated exploitation is rampant. Papua New Guineans aren’t in control of the economy nor is their government regulating it. The Constitution is trampled on and amended to suit the needs of whoever pays the political prostitutes in Waigani.

In Bougainville also, the absence of regulatory mechanisms means that exploitation thrives much like the rest of PNG. During my visit I found that part of the anti-Chinese sentiment was driven by Bougainville’s petit bourgeoisie who didn’t like the Chinese undercutting the profits they make from ripping off their own people.

When Momis helped write PNG’s Constitution he and the Founding Fathers wanted to maintain the egalitarian ideals of traditional societies. What they perhaps did not fully grasp was that PNG’s trajectory was into the modern western model of development. As such, social stratification was an inevitable consequence.

The challenge was to regulate the upward movement of wealth and power. Somare certainly may have been weary of this when he introduced the Leadership Code to regulate the behaviour of leaders.

The unfortunate effect of this perhaps has been that Papua New Guineans have disproportionately placed the nation’s short comings on its leaders. To a certain extent this may be justified but when one looks at the high turnover rate of politicians, it may actually be that the wrong people are being heavily penalised.

I find in Klein’s The Shock Doctrine an untold narrative that perhaps best explains events in this country including the Bougainville crisis. If as claimed by some that there was foreign encouragement for the PNG government to go to war, it would most definitely not have been in a PNG interest to do so.

A post war Bougainville provided the “clean slate” foreigners needed for a fresh start whilst placing the PNG government at a disadvantage for being the “aggressor”. New legislative arrangements as well and the potential for softer demands over Panguna would seem more likely in such an environment. As such, in the rush towards independence, Bougainville risks selling out on the economic roots of the revolution, much like South Africa’s ANC.

PNG’s most recent application of The Shock Doctrine has been in the wake of the PNGLNG Project. In the mid-1990s during the Skate years, no one was willing to lend money to the government. Today they government is swimming in a cesspool of foreign debt.

With the US economy showing strong signs of recovery it seems likely the Federal Reserve may hike rates. Not only will this increase the cost of borrowing, it will also lead to capital flows to a more politically stable market like the US as opposed to “emerging markets” like PNG.

Whilst on Bougainville, the oppression was done via economic and military means, the rest of PNG has faced the brunt of economic warfare. The billions being borrowed in the name of Papua New Guineans have made foreign corporations filthy rich whilst the majority of Papua New Guineans walk in rags. What has unfolded in recent times has essentially been corporate welfare paid for by the poor.

Foreign multinationals enjoy tax breaks and government concessions whilst their poorly paid workers carry the national tax burden. According to the 2014 National Budget figures, PNG workers will be the largest contributors to government revenue. This stratification of wealth in favour of the wealthy has been highlighted in a recent Asian Development Bank report. The report acknowledges that whilst PNG is expected to have a 21 per cent growth in GDP next year, the gap between rich and poor is expected to increase.

A government that is heavily in debt is not likely to negotiate from a position of strength. It will be at the mercy of economic policies shoved down its throat by those who own the debt. It will also be vulnerable to cheque book diplomacy as illustrated by the recent Constitutional amendments related to the Manus Island Detention Centre.

Having said all that, it is wrong to think that Papua New Guineans are somehow innocent victims of foreign interference. Throughout history Papua New Guineans have been both active and passive participants in the shaping of the nation. In the case of Manus Detention Centre, disaster capitalism presented itself in terms of the Sunamist’s dream of spin-off businesses related to the Manus Detention Centre.

The privatisation of asylum seeker detention centres has been disastrous. Both the Sunamist guards and the asylum seekers have now been vilified while the Australian government has come out almost untainted.

Friedman and the Chicago School of Economics spawned the notion of profiting from disasters. The Sunamists aimed to profit from Australia’s privatisation and outsourcing of asylum seeker detention centres. In Bougainville, powerful warlords and the petit bourgeoisie are profiting from the carnage of war.

PNG’s lack of infrastructure has certainly being beneficial to the profit margins of Chinese construction companies. The so called problem of crime has been beneficial to the security industry.

Even the “disaster” of the state not being able to regain Oil Search shares traded to IPIC, was and opportunity for Oil Search to raise funds to finance its acquisition in PRL 15 (Elk/Antelope). I could go on but I hope you get the narrative of how the world of disaster capitalism works.

09.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Leader appeals for calm over death

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

A CONSTITUENCY member in the Bougainville House of Representatives is appealing to people in his area not to take the law into their hands but let the law deal with their grievances.

Tonsu constituency member and Minister for Public Service, Joel Banam made this call yesterday afternoon following reports of compensation demands raised lately by the relatives of a young man from his area who was brutally murdered towards the end of last year.

The deceased was killed by his neighbour at their Novah village following an argument they had over the ownership of a power adaptor.

The suspect, who hails from Petats Island, is now behind bars awaiting court appearance at the Buka police station cell but it is understood that the relatives of the deceased are not happy with the prolonged delay in finding an amicable solution in solving this case so they started issuing threats to relatives of the suspects.

They said if their compensation demands are not met then they will take their retaliatory actions on the relatives of the suspect.

But Mr Banam, upon receiving reports of these threats, condemned the approach they are taking and appealed for the grieving relatives to let the law take its course.

Mr Banam said such threats should not be issued as the matter was between the deceased and the suspect, adding that the suspect was not ordered by his relatives to carry out this crime.

He said the ABG Government under the leadership of President John Momis have in many cases called on people to respect the rule of law as it was the best way to solve any arising issues, instead of turning to retaliatory measures and compensation demands.

Mr Banam also called on the people of Tonsu to refrain from taking part in retaliatory exercises as it will hinder and prevent positive developments from taking place in the area.

He appealed to his people to do away with compensation demands, saying such practices do not belong to them and should not be invited into the cultural tradition of the Tonsu people.

Mr Banam has already instructed the chiefs from Petats Island to arrange a meeting in town to be attended by the relatives of the deceased and those from Petats to try and sort this issue out in a peaceful manner.

09.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Me’ekamui strongman Pipiro comes out of exile

By JACOB IENU

General Moses Pipiro of the Mekamui defence force has never left his mountain home in Panguna after the end of the Bougainville conflict in 1997.

With the help of local mediation chief Paul Berako he was able to reconcile with parties in whch he came into conflict with during the crisis.

His retaliation agianst these parties were a result of Mr Pipiro and the MDF following standing orders from the BRA high command at Guava village.

According to Mr Pipiro, this reconciliation, known in the local Nasioi dialect as “piriri domang tapo” or way forward in English was held on April 5 was a follow up of the three commanders’ reconciliation ceremony conducted last year (2013) fascilitated by Panguna Peace Building Strategy (PPBS) between Moses Pipiro, Chris Uma and Ishmael Toroama.

It is also another milestone opportunity for the Moses and the Ioro people since the Bougainville conflict started 20 years ago in Panguna to readress the Panguna/Bougainville aspiration in the determination of referendum and independence of Bougainville.

This is the begining of a new era and of many reconcilation processes that Mr Pipiro had to deal with in a process to heal, to recover and to reconstruct many wounded souls of Bougainville families and communities which have been affected by the Bougainville conflict in which he commanded and fought for.

Speaking at the reconcilliation, he said: “Taim me behainim standing order blong BRA na mekim ol displa samting where ol narapla i kisim bagarap, family blong mi yet tu i no been stap gud,’’.(By following the standing orders of the BRA high command I destroyed other families which also had a direct negative impact on my own family especially the women, my mother, my sisters and nieces).”

“Today as I reconcile with those that I retaliated against I must also free my family and myself from this burden that we carry.”

Supporting her uncle Moses, Miss Janet Moranu stated: “Moses you are now free from the burden that you imposed on youself and your family’’.

She pointd out that mothers carried the burdens of the conflict like a “ekatu“, the traditional Nasioi backpack normally carried by women.

Chief Moses Morui, representing the Morena famiy (Morena was assassinated by the MDF in 1997 just before the signing on the Bougainville Peace Agreement), accepted Mr Pipiro’s efforts to reconcile with the Morena family.

“As the chief of my clan and on behalf of the Morena family we accept Moses’ offer to reconcile today and there will be no more bad feelings beween us from today,’’ he said.

Lucy, the daughter of the late Morena, emotionally accepted Mr Pipiro’s apologies.

“No more from today, it ends now,” she said, fighting back tears.

Charlie Atave, the former commander of the Pinei valley BRA faction, also accepted Mr Pipiro’s apologies with a challenge that this reconciliation must bear fruit through tangible development in Panguna district.

Local businessman and chief of the Kurabang clan who helped in funding the roconciliation on behalf of Mr Pipiro also challenged the busness houses to do their bit for peace.

“All business in Panguna and Arawa are being conducted on land washed by the blood of the dead in the conflict. Thus business houses must play their part in the reconciliation by helping the government in funding these processes.”

All speakers spoke of unity in facing the challenges that lay ahead.These challenges included other reconciliations with people from North and South Bougainville.

The second part of the ceremony centred around the four traditional rituals of reconciliation with the first known as akuaku in the Nasioi dialect.

This is the lashing of shell money (mimis) to the victims.

Step two of the ceremony was the karekaar, where all parties shared and chewed betelnut from one common basket.

This was followed by step three, which was the tangkunia or the burying of a stone which signifies the agreement of peace between the parties involved.

The final step included what is known as siosio, meaning the formal declaration of peace by all parties concerned.

Acknowledgment for mediation between the MDF and the ABG  towards funding of this particular reconciliation must go to Ben Paula, Thadius Kaile and  Albert Magoi of Bougainville Securites, who was instrumental in setting up the the MDF security during Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s visit to Panguna early this year.

These were the three involved securing funding through the ABG to fund the reconciliation in Panguna.

Mr Magoi challenged both ABG and national Government mandated members/ministers to attend such reconciliation processes as their attendance would be a sign of caring for the little people.

09.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Workshop highlights need for peace awareness

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

A TWO-day workshop concerning the dissemination and facilitation of the awareness on the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) was held in Buka last week.

The workshop is an initiative of the Joint Awareness Technical Working Group comprising of representatives from both the national Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

It was facilitated by the lawyer Anthony Reagan and was attended by representatives of the stakeholders in Bougainville that will be involved in the conduct of the peace agreement awareness.

Speaking during the opening of the workshop which was held on Thursday, the co-chair of the technical working group, Mr Ellison Towallom stressed on the importance of achieving all issues contained in the peace agreement.

Mr Towallom who is also the Director of the National Coordination Office of Bougainville Affairs (NCOBA) added that the successful staging of these awareness would need the total support of all the stakeholders that have been charged to carry out these responsibilities.

Topics that were covered during the workshop include the background of the BPA, key parts of the BPA as well as on the three pillars of the peace agreement.

The facilitators will be using the facilitator’s manual to conduct the awareness.

This manual was created by the technical working group towards the end of last year and launched during Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s Goodwill visit to Bougainville in January this year.

09.04.2014

Source: The National

We must stop senseless killings

LAE City is fast becoming the country’s centre for ethnic violence.

Hardly a day goes by without news reports about fights between groups of people from various provinces as well as the local Morobeans.

The latest ethnic clash was between settlers from Bougainville and East Sepik last weekend which left five people dead, including a landowner. 

The killings and destruction of property took place in the notorious Back Road area of the city just three weeks after the mass arrest of people from the Kabwum and Menyamya who were involved in a major clash.

How much longer will the city and province tolerate such senseless killings, brutalities and destruction of property?  Is payback killing a feature of Melanesian culture that should be condoned and allowed to prevail in this day and age?

The Criminal Code is quite explicit about such law­less behaviour and clearly stipulates that an act of revenge that leads to the death of an innocent person or persons is an offence that carries a severe penalty.

Despite the legal ramifications, ethnic and tribal groups continue to take the law into their hands through payback killings and destruction of property. 

The recent ethnic clashes in Lae city are a glaring example of the age-old payback tendencies and acts of revenge that are allowed to persist in the country’s industry hub. 

An irate Lae metropolitan police commander Supt Iven Lakatani warned trouble-makers, especially in the settlements, to stop taking the law into their hands. 

“They decided to fight, they must face the consequences” was the message Lakatani gave to the two rival groups during a visit to their settlement. 

It is interesting to note the concern by the city police chief that the current police-people ratio in Lae is one policeman to 1,500 civilians. 

No wonder, it is a huge strain on police resources in our second city.

As the country’s industrial hub, Lae needs to improve its image as a centre for industry, business and commerce. 

It must be a place in which residents and visitors can move about without fear of crime and violence.

Lae was previously infested by petty criminals and hoodlums who turned the city streets into a living hell for law-abiding residents and visitors.

The situation turned from bad to worse and forced local Morobeans to intervene to help the police rid the streets of these undesirables, who had drifted into the city from mostly the Highlands provinces.

Nonetheless, ethnic violence has continued unabated and will go from bad to worse if there is no concerted effort by the relevant government authorities to stamp it out.

Currently, an eviction exercise is being carried out to remove illegal settlers. It is being spearheaded by Governor Kelly Naru and the Morobe administration and is a first step in controlling the growth of settlements in the city.

The removal of illegal settlers may help to minimise ethnic violence in the city these unwanted people are kept out of the city boundaries. 

It remains to be seen whether this quick-fix solution will work in the long term as urban drift has a tendency to rebound.

The capital city of Port Moresby has had its fair share of ethnic violence and like Lae, will continue to face this problem until the payback mentality is eradicated from these irrational and lawless minds.

While the police should be commended for enforcing the law on payback killings and other acts of revenge, the onus should not be squarely placed on their shoulders. 

Other concerned groups or stakeholders should take a greater interest in this issue and play their part in changing the people’s attitudes and behaviour. 

In particular, Christian church organisations in this country seem to have turned a blind eye to these ethnic conflicts. 

While members of ethnic groups in Lae have been fighting and killing each other right under the noses of major churches, we hardly hear a word from these men and women of God.

It would be even better if the churches practice what they preach by doing more to change the people’s mindset on payback killings. 

08.04.2014

Source: The National

Women to uphold human rights

WOMEN in Bougainville have been trained to defend the rights of people in their communities.

The week-long workshop on human rights was carried out by the Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation, in Bougainville, and ended last Friday.

Centre director Sister Lorraine Garasu said the workshop was aimed at training Bougainville women to become defenders of human rights in their communities.

“The main aim of this project is to train and make women become aware of human rights so they can identify human rights abuses in their families and communities and work to stop them,” she said.

 Garasu said the training helped the women in advocating and educating their families and communities on human rights.

She said 58 women came from the atolls of Bougainville, including Mortlok, Fead, Tasman, Catarets and Nissan Island. 

“We were lucky to have seven male participants from the Suir constituency in North Bougainville,” she said. 

Gasarau said the programme and its budget was designed to cater for only 30 participants.

“But with the increased interest shown by women, we took in more which is a good sign of a desire for change in Bougainville,” she said. 

Last year, the programme covered Central Bougainville, with this year covering women in the North. 

South Bougainville will be covered later.

She said the programme was funded by the International Women’s Development Agency. 

It is being carried out in Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, Jiwaka and Western Highlands.

08.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

American out on bail

By Gorethy Kenneth 

THE American national who was charged by police and Customs officials in February for transporting 1.6 million in illegal currency into PNG has been released on bail and is awaiting his court appearance.

Government authorities told the Post-Courier over the weekend that Barry Keith Webb (pictured), the man who was carrying counterfeit money, the illegal Bougainville kina, when detained at the Jackson’s airport last month, has been released on bail.

But the illegal currency remains in State custody and will not be released until court proceedings are completed, the government sources said. The illegal currency will be used as court exhibit.

Mr Webb had documents from King David Pei II, who for years has claimed to head an independent Bougainville state based in Tonu, south Bougainville. The documents supposedly authorised Mr Webb to represent the central bank of this breakaway state.

And Mr Webb, who arrived in Port Moresby to an awaiting PNG team from several parts of the country, including women and pastors, is now living with church friends.

His wife has joined him from the United States to be with him as he faces more charges from Immigration for having in possession a purported Bougainville passport, which was also illegal.

He will face more charges from the Bank of Papua New Guinea for allegedly breaching the Central Bank Act by possessing money which was not legal tender.

Mr Webb arrived in Port Moresby on an Air Niugini flight from Manila and was pulled aside for questioning after an x-ray scan of the briefcase he was carrying revealed large amounts in cash. The briefcase contents were never declared by him even after he was asked if he had anything to declare.

08.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

NZ producer eyes Bougainville television deal

By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS

A NEW Zealand-based television producer is setting his sights on bringing television to Bougainville.

Dunedin television producer, Mark Strickson recently held talks with the Bougainville Regional MP Joe Lera in New Zealand about logistical issues concerning the establishment of the TV station in Bougainville.

Mr Strickson had expressed his desire to assist with his TV broadcast after seeing the great need that will be provided in terms of airing important issues that will contribute to the development of Bougainville.

He said the digital studio would be broadcasting a two-hour bulletin of pre-recorded local news and current affairs each day while the remaining on-air hours would be used to broadcast an international satellite feed. He added that staffing the station would be a biggest challenge.Mr Strickson told Mr Lera that the station would need 14 staff and at least $1.7 million of Bougainville Government funding for set-up cost while the annual running cost of the station would amount up to about $3 million.

There is a probability of sending several Bougainvilleans to New Zealand to undergo studies in TV production and broadcasting before they can return and man the TV station.

Mr Lera said the station would cost about K6 million to set up, before adding that “Money is not a problem as the PNG Government gives me an annual grant of K15 million which could be used to fund the station”.

Depending on the availability of funding, the TV station could be transmitting a signal by early next year.

08.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

School needs more buildings

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

HAHELA primary school in the Tsitalato constituency of Buka Island is the only level six primary school in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville with an enrolment of 812 students and 23 teachers.

The school which is situated at the Bougainville Catholic Diocese area at Hahela accommodates children and relatives of public servants, those from the private sectors as well as students from the surrounding villages. One of the reasons behind the increase in student numbers is due to the introduction of the tuition free policy by the O’Neill-Dion Government. However these students increase has now led to another major problem being faced by the school; over population with not enough classrooms to accommodate them.

The school’s head teacher, Fabian Anisia said there are over 50-60 students in each classroom which makes it hard for them to learn.

08.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Workshop highlights need for peace awareness

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

A TWO-day workshop concerning the dissemination and facilitation of the awareness on the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) was held in Buka last week.

The workshop is an initiative of the Joint Awareness Technical Working Group comprising of representatives from both the national Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

It was facilitated by the lawyer Anthony Reagan and was attended by representatives of the stakeholders in Bougainville that will be involved in the conduct of the peace agreement awareness.

Speaking during the opening of the workshop which was held on Thursday, the co-chair of the technical working group, Mr Ellison Towallom stressed on the importance of achieving all issues contained in the peace agreement.

Mr Towallom who is also the Director of the National Coordination Office of Bougainville Affairs (NCOBA) added that the successful staging of these awareness would need the total support of all the stakeholders that have been charged to carry out these responsibilities.

Topics that were covered during the workshop include the background of the BPA, key parts of the BPA as well as on the three pillars of the peace agreement.

The facilitators will be using the facilitator’s manual to conduct the awareness.

This manual was created by the technical working group towards the end of last year and launched during Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s Goodwill visit to Bougainville in January this year.

08.07.2014

Source: Bougainville24

The 2005 Muaino reconciliation

By Joel Tauko

It was all about forgiveness, reunited and reconciliation during the Christmas of 2005 Break in the Muaino hamlet.

Families of those that perished in the Singkodo fight during the 10 year conflict was marked by an anniversary on Sunday 25.

The village’s soccer field was packed with ex-combatants from both sides, the BRA and Resistance Forces, their families, distinguished guests and former parish priests who were there to commemorate the reconciliation milestone.

With the pews filled, former fighters worshipped with hymns, prayers and Bible readings as they would on other Sundays.

But this Sunday was different; it wasn’t just the anniversary they were celebrating, they were also welcoming three of their long-serving sons who perished during the crisis.

During the oration, people were reminded of what it meant to be a family, not just at home but in Bougainville as well and strengthening bonds that made them a strong family even during the toughest of times.

The people were reminded of dark days in Bougainville history, a day they never thought would happen – when sons perished.

More heartbreak occurred at the reconciliation when it was revealed where the bones of their sons were buried.

The anger, questions and tears were put aside and quietness filled their hearts. They dug the bones of those perished, put them into boxes and shipped them to their final resting places.

The Resistance Forces spokesmen stood before the huge group – with tears in his eyes, and apologised.

“We are sorry. Both sides lost sons,” Laulau, the former commander of the Resistance Force, said.

“To my children, my fathers and mothers I am very sorry and if my actions affected any of you emotionally, physically, mentally or spiritually, I am truly sorry.”

After their public apology, the ex-combatants shook hands and tears were exchanged.

Ishmael Toroama was also present at the reconciliation.  He was happy this day had come, even more so because he felt uneasy.

The family members of one of his perished soldiers came and asked him about their son’s whereabouts.

Ishmael was the commander ten years ago when the incident happened and had felt like stepping down because he felt he had failed to bring back the son.

“I thought, how could this have happened on my watch?” Toroama remarked.

Even though he didn’t fight the war in the Singkodo soil the family members of those perished blame him for the loss.

After the service, a delicious meal was laid out and ex-combatants and the distinguished guests ate, laughed, talked, sang and celebrated in the spirit of the day. Guests were also entertained by dances and games were organised.

When everyone thought things were winding down, Mr. Laulau once again took the microphone and another surprise was unveiled.

During the mass, both sides had exchanged traditional gifts with equipment for the perished family members as well as goods from the store.

Members of ex-combatants walked up accompanied by the relatives of perished sons, youths and a huge weta (traditional Nagovisi basket) full of wiasi (traditional shell money) was exchanged.

As the day wound down and people settled with their full tummies, it was clear that through reconciliation this broken family had become whole again.

The reconciliation came a long way and overcame many obstacles. Even though members come and go, those that have pushed on have seen it grow from strength to strength.

This anniversary was a testament to that strength.

07.04.2014

Source: EMTV

BOUGAINVILLE KINA ILLEGAL

BY FABIAN HAKALITS

Bougainville’s Assistant Commissioner for Police Paul Kamuai, has revealed, that some agents are trying to sell the illegal Bougainville kina to the public in Papua New Guinea.

ACP Kamuai told EMTV News this afternoon, that police will continue to conduct monitoring, at the airports and wharfs, to ensure that the money is not transferred into the autonomous region of Bougainville.

Kamuai said that the currency is valueless and is not recognised by the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, under its national monitory laws.

The public in Bougainville have been urged to refrain from using the fake money.

Those who are found to be in possession of the money, will face the full force of the law.

Kamuai has written to Musingku and his group, requesting them to meet with the police. Their activity in Tonu is classified as illegal, and is not part of Bougainville’s peace process.

07.04.2014

Source: EMTV

UN ON BOUGAINVILLE

BY FABIAN HAKALITS

The United Nations has been one of Bougainville’s key development partners in the peace building activities in the autonomous region.

Visiting United Nations Development Program Administrator, Helen Clark (pictured) affirmed their commitment, to support Bougainville’s in its journey to achieving autonomy.  

Last week, Clark met with Bougainville President Chief Dr John Momis in East New Britain, and discussed UN’s roles in the peace process.

Part of the broader package is the peace building funds that will be rolled out under a priority plan. At present, UNDP is on the ground, implementing this program.  

The organization is also assisting the Finance Department on the capacity building program, aimed to strengthen fiscal discipline with strategic resource allocation, for effective service delivery.

This is to build a framework for Bougainville’s future implementation of programs that will capture accurate financial reports.

Clark urged the National and Autonomous Bougainville Governments, to work together to implement the peace agreement.

07.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Farmers reap rewards

By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS

FARMERS in North Bougain-ville are now enjoying the benefits of selling their copra following the increase in copra prices.

After the drop in prices of copra in 2012, copra plantations were left unattended, resulting in many families resorting to other means of earning an income apart from those that earn a fortnightly salary.

Pristine 101Ltd, an Indian based company who bought the Kokonas Industries Koporesin (KIK) assets in Bougainville, has set up a copra mill in the heart of Buka town and is now buying the produce at a very high price compared to other local copra buyers.

A local farmer, Saul Katsin, who now usually sells his copra to Pristine 101, said he is now seeing the real benefit of copra as he is also able to save some money with the cheque he gets and deposits into his account at the bank.

“When the price of copra was down, it could not sustain my family needs, so I and my wife resorted to selling betel nut, smoke and other things in the village just to meet our household needs,” Mr Katsin said.

“Since the rise in price of copra, you can see now that Buka town is crowded mostly with copra farmers and as evident, shops are also making more money with a lot of their goods selling out and not gathering dust on shelves.”

Pristine 101 was commissioned in January by Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Tommy Tomscoll when he accompanied Prime Minister Peter O’Neill on his Goodwill visit to the Region with other ministerial delegates.

It started buying copra at 65 toea per kilogram or K650.00 per tonnage but has gradually increased to K1.02 per kilogram or K1002.00 per tonnage.

The manager of Pristine 101 said the company is here “not as traders but manufacturers and we are here for one purpose and that is to buy, mill, and export the coconut oil to overseas markets and we buy according to the world market price”.

“We are encouraging farmers to dry their copra properly with a moisture percentage of 5 percent and below, and that we will pay for, at the exact buying price and when it is 6 percent and upwards we will deduct the moisture percentage with the current buying price,” the manager, who asked not to be named, said.

“We give incentives to truck owners in terms of giving them K2.00 per bag for every load of copra they bring in which they collect after every month and shortly we will also pay boat owners who carry copra from across Kokopau.”

“Free bags are also given to farmers who come in with their copra on Mondays and Fridays in replacement of their copra bags and we are also educating farmers on copra drying.”

The manager has also cleared some grievances of farmers regarding payment of cheque to them when selling their produce.

He said this is to encourage farmers to open accounts with the banks so that they can save some money as well as it is also for safety reasons of the company.

Farmers can open accounts with the Bank of South Pacific or Nationwide Micro bank in Buka to make it more convenient for them so they can save money too, the manager said.

07.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Unity to drive Manetai limestone project

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE eventual recommencement of the Manetai limestone project in the Manetai area of Central Bougainville followed the successful unification of all stakeholders concerned.

This undertaking for unity was delivered by the landowner representatives during the final reconciliation ceremony held recently at Atamo village in the Eivo/Torau constituency of Central Bougainville.

The limestone project was one of the impact projects which had contributed to the development of Bougainville and the country before the outbreak of the Bougainville crisis.

The project was closed for more than 20 years until about five years ago when the landowners decided to renegotiate and reopen the project however discussions were not easy following numerous disputations raised by some landowners over land ownership.

This lead to a series of mediation processes dating back to 2011 between the disputing clan members and the other seven clans in the area, which culminated with the final reconciliation that will now pave way for the reopening of the project.

During the small but significant reconciliation ceremony, disputing Dosiana clan leader, Joseph Bairua came forward and asked for forgiveness for his actions over the past years.

He later declared publicly to work in unity with other stakeholders concerned to prepare for formal negotiations with ABG and development partners towards finding an amicable solution leading to the reopening the impact project.

During the event, a live pig and an undisclosed amount of cash plus garden foods were also presented to Mr Bairua’s Dosiana clan elders in appreciation for their clan leader’s positive decision and also as a gesture of unity.

07.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

IPA signs deal to help Bougainville

A MEMORANDUM of understanding was signed in Buka towards late last month between the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA).

According to the ABG Minister for Commerce and Trade, Wilfred Komba, the signing represented the fostering of ongoing relationships and capacity building of the new Bougainville Inward Investment Bureau (BIIB). In November last year the ABG unanimously passed the Bougainville Inward Investment Act which paved way for the establishment of BIIB. The purpose of the organisation is to process and screen applications based on an assessment regime of responsible investment, which protects Bougainville’s resources, culture and environment.

“The passage of the Bill is a significant milestone for Bougainville. Investment needs to be on Bougainville terms; we only want to work with people who share our values and our aspirations, those who we can be sure will support not only our economic but also our social and cultural development,” said Mr Komba.  He said the law is a positive step for investors as it provides security and transparency for investment in the Region.

IPA managing director Ivan Pomalau is also enthusiastic about the close relationship established between IPA and BIIB.

“The Bureau is very important in ensuring that Bougainville develops a strong economy, with the support of investors who will bring skills as well as investment capital to the region. This is entirely consistent with the IPA’s role for the whole of PNG and we want to play our part in helping the Bureau succeed,” Mr Pomalau said.

07.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Know your Constitution

Today we feature section 193, Division 7 on the National Constitution provision relating to Bougainville’s Referendum.

1. Subject to this section, a Referendum on the future political status of Bougainville shall be held in accordance with this Division.
2. Subject to Subsection (7), the Referendum shall be held on a date agreed after consultation by the Bougainville Government with the National Government, which date shall be not earlier than 10 years and, notwithstanding any other provisions, not more than 15 years after the election of the first Bougainville Government.
3. The date referred to in Subsection (2) shall be determined after considering whether weapons have been disposed of in accordance with the Agreement;  and in accordance with Subsection (4), it has been determined that the Bougainville Government has been and is being conducted in accordance with internationally accepted standards of good governance.
4. The question whether the Bougainville Government has been and is being conducted in accordance with internationally accepted standards of good governance shall be determined in accordance with the review and the dispute resolution procedure.
5. For the purposes of Subsection (4), the internationally accepted standards of good governance, as they are applicable and implemented in the circumstances of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea as a whole, include democracy, the opportunity for participation by Bougainvilleans, transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights and the rule of law, including this Constitution.
6. The National Government and the Bougainville Government shall co-operate in ensuring progress towards achieving and maintaining the standards referred to in Subsection 5.
7. The Referendum shall not be held where the Bougainville Government decides, in accordance with the Bougainville Constitution, after consultation with the National Government, that the Referendum shall not be held.

07.04.2014

Source: Bougainville24

Crisis reinvigorated traditional music and dance

By Leonard Fong Roka

The unique Solomon’s Archipelago musical instrument made of the bamboo is known to the Kieta and Nagovis people as the kabaki.

The vibrant dance moves that accompany its sound are generally referred to as the Solomon Dance, but during the the pre-crisis years command of the instrument was a dying art in the Kieta area of central Bougainville.

The desperate times of 1989 on Bougainville turned people back to the local genres of music that had been on the decline.

Bougainvillean urban centres, such as Arawa, were inaccessible to the native people in the early days of the crisis, because of the high danger of violence. Due to violence the options were to remain in the bush or go to care centres under the PNG security force protection.

It was in the Kaino care centre, which hosted my mountain people of Kupe from July 1989, where I began to note the drastic change in church music patterns.

Bamboo band tubes, panpipes and others rocked the Catholic chapels made mostly of government supplied canvas.

In Arawa’s Section 18 there were mostly the Darenai villagers of the Tumpusiong Valley and they had a few PMV pipes for their bamboo band to lighten their boring days under the watchful and often intimidating eyes of the PNG security forces.

Most of these 1989-1990 care centres were closer to prison camps thus music from the bamboo was a great way that for people to sing and dance for merriment.

After March 1990 the people from the care centres, with the ceasefire and the withdrawal of the PNG army, took their skills home into the mountains.

Bamboo band music rocked the mountains of Kupe as a fine home coming music for the populace.

The art soon spontaneously spread all across Kieta and beyond—it was a revival of a genre of Solomon music that was dying but the war revived it for us to find some peace of mind.

The difficulty in importing goods and services during the crisis also extended to musical instruments, such as guitars or electric instruments, so the various Solomon bamboo instruments filled the vacuum for the music-loving Bougainvilleans.

27 of October 1991 was the feast day of the Our Lady of Mercy church and I was mesmerized on the wet lawns of the church when bamboo band rocked us all. Bamboo bands from all around Kieta rocked the day as we danced on and on.

Soon after the celebration at Arawa’s largest Catholic Church’s Our Lady of Mercy church we went onto the ordination of a local Catholic priest, Fr. Patrick Baria. Here, just like Arawa, bamboo bands led the way instead of electric instruments.

When the PNGDF came to Kieta’s coastal areas, refugees and those of us the war did not dislocate, gave life to the jungles and our mountain homes with bamboo band music.

In fear of being attacked and killed, the music from the bamboo band and the dancing and singing made us walk over the enveloping fear of death.

The fighting continued, but the music from the bamboo crept low beneath the thick jungle canopy of Bougainville’s central mountain backbone, the Crown Prince Range, and ebbed our intruding fear.

In important church days, in the festive seasons, dates of political significance in Bougainville and many more we danced to the sound of bamboo band.

There was some dark humour that though our young and able men were out fighting the PNG army; we were out dancing in the mountains. Sometimes armed men would join us in the dances out of nowhere after their hours of duty.

In Kupe each hamlet and refugee camp had its own sets. When one hamlet or refugee camp hosted a dance, all others came to play there using their sets. Bamboo band groups and dancers were fed with food throughout the night by the hosting hamlet or refugee camp.

On the next celebration we went to the next camp and did the same.

Down on the coast where the PNG army run care centers there was no such merry events since the BRA was carrying out operations of guerrilla hit-and-run attacks.

06.04.2014

Source: EMTV

AUTONOMOUS BOUGAINVILLE GOVERNMENT: NEW PUBLIC SERVICE LAW ENACTED

The Autonomous Bougainville Government can now independently operate its own public service system. The enacting of the Bougainville Public Service Management and Administration Act 2014 is a milestone; that has strengthened the autonomy implementation.

This week the Bougainville House of Representative passed three bills, among them; the Bougainville Public Service Management and Administrative Act 2014.

Members commended Public Service Minister Joel Banam, for initiating such a bill that captures Bougainville’s autonomy arrangements - the drawdown of powers and functions from the National Government.

The Bougainville Public Service Law aligns all public service functions, , including the power to delegate by the Bougainville Public Service Head, with its powers and functions.

Under this new arrangement, the ABG Public Service Minister, will become the Administrative Services Minister.

Vice President, Patrick Nisira said Bougainville had the reason to celebrate.

However he pointed out the importance of capacity building, with the need to recruit energetic and qualified people.

No more direct Waigani. The Chief Secretary Office to the Autonomous Bougainville Government is Bougainville Public Service head, President’s Department Head and the Bougainville Executive Council.

The Chief Secretary will coordinate the whole government approach, supporting the BEC to implement government objectives.

These laws will become effective at a date, set by the President.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEWEO8e0GpQ

06.04.2014

Source: Radio Nw Dawn on Bougainville

HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY TO COVER BOUGAINVILLE WATERS

By Aloysius Laukai

The two Australian Navy ships doing the hydrographic survey are not clearing anything out of the way.

They are mapping all the coastal features, including obstructions under the water, so that the Navy can update Bougainville’s navigation charts and ships can come to Torokina to be part of the operation.

Other ships, including commercial and tourist ships, will also be able to use the charts to come to Bougainville in future.

This was the information earlier released from the ABG veterans Affairs office and again confirmed by REBECCA WORNER Community Engagement Specialists working with the Operation Render Safe 2014 in an interview with New Dawn FM last Friday.

On the actual operation to remove un-exploded ordinance still in Torokina, MS WORNER said that although they will be able to clear a lot of unexploded ordinance,

and with an operation of this size, the Australian Defence Force and other partners are not going to be able to clear all the unexploded ordnance in Torokina while they are here.

The problem is too extensive. They will consult with the government and communities to find out their priorities, so that the operation has the maximum positive impact on safety and lives.

New Dawn FM understands that the leaders of Bougainville especially those in Torokina should be co-operating with the team to identify priority areas as this is the first such operation since the end of World War 2 seventy two years after the war.

05.04.2014

Source: EMTV

BOUGAINVILLE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION APPOINTS EXECUTIVES

BY FABIAN HAKALITZ 

The Bougainville Football Association has as appointed its new office executives.

The appointment was made in the recent Annual General Meeting, held at Arawa, Central Bougainville.

Joseph Maineke is the President, the Vice President is Russell Tsuga and Peter Tariasi is the Junior Vice President. 

The meeting attended by 25 soccer association presidents, discussed the future development of football in Bougainville.

President elect, Joe Maineke, told EMTV News a secretariat office will be created to manage the code.

The committee members are from the current existing 60 associations, focused at improving the financial capabilities, technical support to officials, players' discipline and special projects like the Bougainville Soccer Academy.

A unified program is the executive's vision, looking at partnership as the way forward.

Schools are part of this chain, with the target age of seven to twenty years.

Maineke said the association needs financial assistance to run the program.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoK25qB82Vs

04.04.2014

Source: EMTV

REGISTRY VITAL FOR ABG

The Department of Community Development in partnership with the United Nation's International Children's Fund, are in Bougainville conducting programs on Civil Registry.

The meeting is part of the transfer of powers, and functions from the National Government to the Autonomous Bougainville Government. As Bougainville is moving towards achieving its fiscal independence towards referendum, proper statistics will be a guideline and recommended.

As a key indicator in the policy framework, Civil Registrations Registrar, General Dickson Kiragi, says proper and accurate data complements the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s financial resources.

Gayle Tatsi is the Community Development, Women’s Office Executive Director.

Programs carried out in the autonomous region, will enable the creations of the Civil Registry, and the Lukautim Pikinini Act legislations. They capture the clauses signed in the Memorandum of Understanding.

The United Nation’s under its International Children’s Fund Program, has been one key partner and donor.

Chief Protection Officer Asefa Dano, said the UN will continue to provide technical and financial support to ensure it is fully implanted.

Churches and health clinics are major partners, where information will be sourced from. This is to ensure records of every individuals, are updated and accurate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5gDbZzO-BM

04.04.2014

Source: Radio Nw Dawn on Bougainville

TOROKINA MEMBER NOT HAPPY

By Aloysius Laukai

Meanwhile, the ABG member for TOROKINA, STEVEN SUAKO today called for awareness on the operation to make the people aware on the locations of the Operation Render Safe 2014.

In a press statement received by New Dawn FM this afternoon, MR. SUAKO said that he was wondering why the Navy vessels were engaged in other areas of North and South Bougainville.

He blamed the ABG Administration officers for not monitoring this exercise which was raising eyebrows in his area.

New Dawn FM also understands that the ABG member for Torokina has not supported any ABG initiative since he was elected into the ABG House in 2010.

04.04.2014

Source: TUIA GROUP - press release

New Bougainville Investment Bureau Website

On Thursday 27th March, The Autonomous  Bougainville Government (ABG) and the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) came together to sign a significant MOU representing an ongoing relationship to build capacity of the new Bougainville Inward Investment Bureau.

Tuia International worked with the ABG to develop the investment policy, legislation and the establishment of the investment Bureau.

In November 2013 the ABG passed the Bougainville Inward Investment Act which established the Bougainvillea Inward Investment Bureau (BIIB).  Its role is to process and screen applications based on an assessment regime of Responsible Investment, which protects Bougainville's resources, cuilture and environment.

The CEO of the IPA, Mr Ivan Pomalau is enthusiastic about the close relationship between the IPA and the Bougainville Inward Investment Bureau.  "The Bureau is very important in ensuring that Bougainville develops a strong economy, with the support of investors who will bring skills as well as investment capital to the region.  This is entirely consistent with the IPA's role for the whole of PNG and we want to play our part in helping the Bureau to succeed".  He added the 'the MOU focuses on close collaboration between the Bureau and the IPA to make the Company registration process for businesses wanting to invest in Bougainville as seamless as possible.  We want to ensure our systems talk with each other and we will be supporting the Bureau staff in their training and development".

The ABG is making significant progress towards an operative Bureau, positions for membership on the Board and within the Secretariat are about to be advertised, operating procedures and materials have been designed and a website and database for information sharing and effective and efficient document management has been developed.

The new website http://www.investbougainville.com/ is now live and is a portal for people to access information remotely.  The website covers information on the application process and 'Responsible Investment', includes downloadable application forms and guidelines, information on Bougainville and economic opportunities and links to documents and websites such as the Bougainville Inward Investment Act and the Investment Promotion Authority.

The website is linked to the Bureau's new database, a document management system to ensure accurate processing of applications and ease of use for the Bureau staff.  The database keeps track of application processing, assessment screening, requests for further information, notification and decision making.

The website and database are valuable and important features of the BIIB in building its capacity and achieving transparency of its operations.  The ABG and IPA have been working closely in the transfer of the Powers and Funcions and the Bougainville Inward Investment Act and Bureau are a result of this good working relationship.

For more information please visit the Bougainville Inward Investment Bureau website.

http://www.investbougainville.com/home

03.04.2014

Source: Bouagainville24

Bougainville in union with Rugby

The Autonomous Region of Bougainville is feeling the benefit of the Pacific in Union (PiU) program.

The PiU program is part of Pacific Sports Partnerships, an Australian Government initiative, which aims to use sport as a means to achieve social development outcomes.

Kelly Havara, Rugby Development Manager in Bougainville, is responsible for Rugby Union and the implementation of the PiU program.

Havara stated that PiU Rugby4Schools program not only exists to grow the sport on Bougainville, but also to help young people be well rounded, socially responsible individuals.

“Bougainville has come a long way and the [Autonomous Bougainville] Government thinks about big developments like infrastructure, bridges, roads and hospitals, just to name a few,” Mr Havara said.

“We in Rugby believe the way forward is getting our kids the best education and building them through their minds.

“We want them to become good thinkers and decision makers and the PiU Rugby4Schools program one a way to achieve this.”

The promotion of gender equality is a key component of the PiU program and Havara highlighted the importance of this to the autonomous region.

“We are a matrilineal society, but the truth is that women have been devalued in contemporary Bougainville,” Mr Havara continued.

“Many men think they are better than women, but this program educates young men and gives young women a chance to shine.”

“The push for gender equality is one of the things that drives me to help kids in school.”

Tarlena (top) and Hahela champion teams

Havara’s proudest moment came in March 2014, when his under-16 and under-19 girls teams were both crowned champions at the PNG National Women’s 7s tournament in Port Moresby, their first appearance in the tournament.

“Above all the girls have made the biggest impact in Bougainville,” Havara said.

“They proved that Bougainvillean women can play rugby, earned the respect of everyone and I am very proud of them.”

It was not only the victory that brought pride to Havara, but also the positive attitude girls displayed throughout the tour to Port Moresby.

“The teams were made up of girls from different schools in Bougainville and they showed that rugby can really bring everyone together and have this simple understanding of playing and enjoying their rugby.”

“The girls played as a team, respected the opposition and just went on the field with no pressure and enjoyed their rugby.”

The success came as a surprise to many people, but not to Havara, who had laid the groundwork to ensure the PiU concepts were engrained in participating schools and rugby clubs.

“I have a good working relationship with our education department, making sure that teachers understand what we are trying to achieve with the program,” Havara said.

“Rugby clubs have been attached to schools with a uniform understanding of the ideas and concepts.”

“I only visit and give extra value to the program and the students, but it’s mostly about the trust and working partnerships I have built with everyone involved in this program.”

Havara has also learned a lot from his experience and recently was invited by the Australian Rugby Union, PNG Rugby Football Union and PiU to observe the Australian Women’s Championship in Canberra.

03.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

POLICE COMMISSIONER APPEAL TO PEOPLE NOT TO USE BVK

By Aloysius Laukai

The Assistant Commissioner for the Bougainville Police Service, PAUL KAMUAI is appealing to the people of Bougainville and PNG not to be tempted to buy the illegal Bougainville Kina because it has no market value.

The Police Commissioner made this call after Police intercepted a senior UVistract man ferrying PNG and Bougainville Kina from Rabaul in East New Britain Province last week.

MR. KAMUAI said that what NOAH MUSINGKU and his cohorts are doing in Tonu is illegal and must not be allowed to continue.

He said that Police investigated and found TWENTY THREE THOUSAND KINA cash in PNG KINA and THREE THOUSAND KINA worth of the illegal Bougainville Kina in the man's bag.

He said that he had requested the Tonu leaders to arrange time and meet with him in Buka to sort out this mess once and for all as this was getting out of hand.

It is believed that this senior U-vistract man traded Bougainville Kina and received TWENTY THREE THOUSAND KINA in exchange for his Bougainville Kina.

Police will monitor other agents in Papua New Guinea who are trying to sell this illegal material to the public in Papua New Guinea.

Police Personnel talking to Mesach Autahe at the Buka Police Station last week

Buka Police talking to the U vistract leaders in Buka last week

Pictures by BPS Communications

03.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

TOURIST BOAT TO VISIT BUKA TOMORROW

By Aloysius Laukai

A tourist boat with 86 American Tourists and 13 crews will arrive in Buka tomorrow morning for a two-hour visit to Buka.

The National Geographic Orion is coming from the United States of America and passing through the Solomon Islands into Buka.

The Bougainville Tour officer and CEO for the Tourism Division, LAWRENCE BELLEH TOLD New Dawn FM this afternoon that the ship is expected into the Buka wharf at exactly 8AM tomorrow morning.

They will be met by cultural groups at the Buka main wharf before travelling to HANGAN village for the formal entertainment before boarding back their ship.

New Dawn FM understands that this would be the first shortest visit by a tourist Boat coming to Bougainville.

And this is the first time for this NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION to enter into the waters of Bougainville.

Picture of a similar ship taken from their website

03.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

CUT DOWN COSTS SAYS MOROKANA

By Aloysius Laukai

The former Chairman of the Buin Council of Elders Chairmen, PAUL MOROKANA today said that the ABG can still save money by cutting costs.

MR. MOROKANA told New Dawn FM today in Buka, that many chiefs such as him were very concerned at the huge costs that the ABG administration incurs on travel because they like meeting outside of Bougainville.

He said that for so many years there have been meetings after meetings outside of Bougainville whilst district duties have become not a priority.

MR. MOROKANA gave some estimated costs of one officer travelling to Port Moresby could incur about THIRTY FIVE THOUSAND KINA in just seven days.

He said that he was happy the new law just passed would help control these unnecessary travels into Port Moresby and other centres in PNG.

03.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BOUGAINVILLE PUBLIC SERVICE APPROVED

By Aloysius Laukai

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has strengthened Autonomy Implementation by finally enacting the Bougainville Public Service Management and Administrative Bill 2014 into Law after meeting the constitutional requirement by passing the bill and getting through three readings and approving by a 100 percent majority members after a lengthy and heated debate since yesterday.

The Bougainville Public Service law now paves the way for the setting up of the Bougainville Public Service which also will align all public service functions to meet the expectations of the ABG Government and also the people of Bougainville.

The new law will make some changes on the reporting system from the elevated Chief Administrator and now Chief Secretary to the President and the BEC.

Under this new arrangement the ABG Minister for Public Service will become the Minister for administrative services.

Speaking to reporters after the passing of the bill, ABG Acting President, Vice President, PATRICK NISIRA said that from today Bougainville will have its own Public Service that will be responsible to the political masters of Bougainville.

He said in the past co-operation between the Administration and the ABG Ministers was non- existent as they were reporting to the Administrator who was also reporting to Waigani.

MR. NISIRA said that it has taken so long to come to today and the people of Bougainville have something to celebrate.

On the other two Bills that also became law today, MR. NISIRA said that without the Public Service Management and Administrative law there would be no Public Finance Management and Administration act and No Bougainville Contracts act as these laws are interconnected.

He reiterated his earlier call for the recruitment team to make sure they recruit from the Universities and not Retirees, who have burnt their energies and trying to return to Bougainville.

The Minister said that Bougainville needs energetic and qualified people who can now move Bougainville forward into the future.

These laws will become effective at a date to be set by the President most probably 15 May 2014 when administrative arrangements are completed. These are the most important laws passed in and for Bougainville since the Constitutional Laws in 2002 and 2005.

03.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville passes Public Finances Act

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government unanimously passed the Bougainville Public Finance (Management and Administration) Act 2014 during its special parliamentary sitting yesterday. According to the ABG Minister for Finance, Planning and Treasury, Albert Punghau (pictured), the Act is very important as it will enable the ABG “to make sure that we take responsibility in managing our own affairs in terms of finance.

“Under this Act, it has strict compliance in terms of public finance management. This means that the government and the people of Bougainville must make sure that public finances must be managed in an accountable and transparent manner so that goods and services can be delivered to the people of Bougainville,” Mr Punghau said.

“This Act also talks about internal audits and audits of public finances. This is very important in terms of good governance of public finances and expenditures.  “It also talks about the budgetary process in this Acts as to how we will formulate future budgets under this law.

“These future budgets will be done in a manner that will be all inclusive; people must participate, the local level governments, the council of elders must also participate in budgetary formulation.”  Mr Punghau said this Act will also address the responsibility of good governance especially in relation to the delivery of goods and services down to the ordinary people in the districts, instead of being centered and used up at headquarters level.

Mr Punghau however, said the passage of this Act also comes with responsibilities.

“When we passed this Act, we have also put ourselves huge responsibilities. Laws are passed for compliance. If we have to the pass laws, we will not blame any other person now.  “We will not blame PNG for mismanagement and for corrupt practices that is taking place in Bougainville. “These corrupt practices and mismanagement of public funds will be the responsibility of this government now.” The Act will come into effect following approval of a date set by President John Momis and the Bougainville Executive Council (BEC).

Apart from this, the other laws that were also unanimously passed by ABG yesterday are the Bougainville Contracts and Tenders Act 2014 and the Bougainville Public Service (Management and Administration) Act 2014. The contracts Act which was also tabled by Mr Punghau contains strict guidelines associated with the awarding of contracts in Bougainville.

According to Mr Punghau, it will also put an end to the awarding of contracts to those who are not qualified to be awarded the contracts. Currently nearly all major contracts in Bougainville have been awarded by the Central Supply and Tenders Board, with Mr Punghau pointing out that this has resulted in a lot of corrupt practices taking place.

“People without any wheelbarrows are also getting the contracts. This is ridiculous, it is not on.

“This law we have passed will make sure that all this things do not happen in Bougainville,” Mr Punghau said.

02.04.2014

Source: Me'ekamui News

ESBC: Please read this amazing correspondence between an duboius US-American adviser and a strange Bougainvillean landowner representative that was leaked today.  But first you should enjoy the Youtube video below starring "jumping jack" Dr. David Martin and notorious drunkard Lawrence Daveona: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO1wE2CdopI

LATEST LETTER CIRCULATING AROUND

by mekamui 

Dear Chairman Daveona (pictured below),

As I reflected on your e-mail regarding the leaseholders desire to

accept a K13 million settlement from BCL, I think that it is important

that you realize that the decision to accept BCL’s fraudulent

calculation does not put an end to the suffering that the communities

have endured. Rather, it will conclude their lives with the last

injury inflicted by BCL. Their suffering, which if we pursue the full

benefit due the people and the country, could serve as the funding

source for a new economy and an Autonomous land will be given away for

a “bowl of porridge” served by a corrupt organization. The

leaseholder decision is to give away your birthright for an enemy who

has contempt for you and is taking the emotions of the people as the

last form of manipulation.

I am already aware that BCL and Rio Tinto’s accountants have been

advised of the fact that a new paradigm is being considered. I have

had conversations with them about becoming a part of the solution

rather than the problem. Therefore, this is EXACTLY the wrong time to

give in to the temptation being offered in the wilderness of years of

sadness. This is a time to truly educate the people that the seeds of

an entire future are right before them and a host of international

witnesses are watching. For all the pain, suffering and misery that

BCL has cost, do not let 40 pieces of silver blind the community to

the treachery that it represents to this and all future generations.

By accepting the offer of BCL, you would:

• limit the Independent State of Papua New Guinea’s ability to collect tax and penalty income of as much as K43 million;
• limit the landowner’s ability to receive benefit of over K100 million; and, - set a  recedent that KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers can continue to mislead and conceal on behalf of their clients BCL and Rio Tinto without consequence.

If the future of Bougainville is to be sustainable, independent and

free, this is the time to stand with renewed resolve – not to

surrender to the forces of fear, mortality and greed.

Warmest regards,

Dr. Martin

Dr. David Martin

02.04.2014

Source: EMTV

ABG PASSES BILL

Part of the autonomy arrangement’s between the National, and Autonomous Bougainville Government’s, is the drawdown of powers.

It was visible today, with the passing of three Bills, by the Bougainville House of Representative.

EMTV, for the first time, was granted permission by the ABG Speaker, Andrew Miriki, to film the House Special Sitting, since its formation in 2005.

Government Business Leader, John Tabinaman, introduced the three Bills; that were ‘I’s, for the majority, after no amendments were made.

President Chief Dr John Momis, said the Act’s is Bougainville’s way forward and it builds the people’s trust in the autonomous government, as their very own. Members of the house also supported these Acts, describing it as, consistent legislations of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

The Bougainville Public Service Management and Administration Act: Bougainville will operate through its own public service system.

The Bougainville Finance Management and Administration Act: A revenue and expenditure monitory and budgetary framework.

The Bougainville Contract’s and Tender’s Act: Guidelines for projects, beneficiary and implemented through the Bougainville Tenders Board, and its agencies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srQ-tenZFA0

02.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

House passes public service law

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government now has its own public service. This follows the unanimous passing of the Bougainville Public Service (Management and Administration) Act 2014 by the Bougainville House of Representatives yesterday.

The adoption of this Act – which will come into effect following approval by the President John Momis and the Bougainville Executive Council, means that all public servants in Bougainville will now cease to be officers of the national Government’s public service. It also means that all divisions under the Bougainville administration will now be known as departments.

Speaking to reporters after the adoption of the Act, the ABG Minister for Public Service Joel Banam said this law will now enable public servants to adhere to policies and directives issued by the ABG.

Mr Banam, who was also responsible for sponsoring the Public Service Bill in parliament, said when he first entered parliament he realised that the public servants were not responding to policies and directives and that they were becoming stumbling blocks to the Momis-Nisira government achieving its proposed programs.

“When I came into government, I found out that the policy decisions made by the government were not implemented,” said Mr Banam. “The implementing arm of the government was failing to implement decisions made by government.

“The problem was that the public servants were not implementing the decisions made by the government. The excuses they gave me when I was appointed the Public Service Minister was that they were not answerable to the ABG government because they were still operating under the PNG Public Service Management Act.”

He said this was “inexcusable for the public servants to behave the way they are without adhering to policies set out by ABG”. Mr Banam said the only solution to addressing this non compliance by officers was for the ABG to have its own public service.

He said ABG had wanted to adopt a system that will be corruption-free, efficient and that will be responsive to the demands and the needs of the people without fear and favor. “Once these laws come into effect, all public servants will be reporting directly to their ministers and their ministers will be reporting to cabinet,” said Mr Banam.

02.04.2014

Source: EMTV

BOUGAINVILLE LAUNCHES COCOA PLAN

A new five-year plan has been launched, to boost the cocoa economic production in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

The plan sets to promote small-scale farmers, with benefits and investments directly in their pockets. High management practice is a vital tool that encourages farmers, to be responsible in the production of cocoa.

The Bougainville Five Year Clonal Cocoa Development Project, 2015 to 2018, is a new framework that will be managed, and implemented by the Lauta Atoi Foundation, in the North Bougainville electorate.

The serious decline of cocoa production, affected by the pod borer disease, prompted Mr Atoi, to initiate the project, aimed at creating a strong and prosperous economy for Bougainvilleans.

Bougainville Vice President Patrick Nisira, said the project complements the implementation of the Bougainville Economic Development Policy. The Autonomous Bougainville Government, will assists to drive the project, under its K8 million, agriculture Special Intervention Funds.

National Agriculture and Livestock Minister Tommy Tomscall, commended Mr Atoi, for initiating such a sustainable project.

For so long, Papua New Guineans have become spectators and for this reason, any traders to set up business in the country, must be qualified for a ten hectare plantation portion of land.

He then launched the plan. Several farmers of the five 130 village nurseries, also expressed their appreciation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9XiF1QflLE

02.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

GOVERNMENT WILL CONTROL VEHICLES SAYS NISIRA

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG will eventually control the use of government vehicles under the new law enacted by the ABG today.

ABG vice President, PATRICK NISIRA revealed this today when commenting on the Bougainville Public Service law enacted by the ABG House today.

MR. NISIRA said that under the new law all Chief Executive Officers will be contracted for three years with their perks and privileges under these contracts and no vehicle will be allocated to them.

However they can get their own private vehicles under their contracts thus leaving all divisional vehicles to the divisions and these vehicles will be pooled after work.

The Minister said that this will also solve one problem in which the CEO’s tend to personalize divisional vehicles and making their officers walking to perform their duties.

He said the contracts would be lucrative to make sure the right people are recruited to do the job.

AND non performers can be identified and their contracts can be terminated.

02.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

UNITY IS THE WAY FORWARD FOR MANETAI LIMESTONE PROJECT

By ALEX MUNME

UNITY is paramount if the landowners want Manetai Limestone Project to reopen.

This was the message from the landowner representatives who spoke during the final reconciliation ceremony held last Friday at Atamo Village in the Evo/Torau Constituency of Central Bougainville Region.

The Project was one of the impact projects which contributed much to the development of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea before the Bougainville Crisis.

Due to the Conflict, it was closed for 25 years until four to five years ago when the landowners decided to reopen the project.

This could not happen as part of a landowner clan disputed the reopening of the Project.

After having series of mediating processes since 2011 between the disputing clan members and the other seven clans, a final reconciliation was held last week to pave way for the reopening of the project.

During the small but significant reconciliation ceremony, disputing Dosiana clan leader, Joseph Bairua eventually came forward, asked forgiveness and declared publicly to work in unity to prepare formal negotiations with the ABG and development partners leading to reopening the impact project.

In addition to the signing and public declaration, a live pig, undisclosed amount of cash plus garden food were presented to his Dosiana clan Elders in appreciation for the clan leader’s positive decision and as a gesture of thanks and unity.

The event was attended by ABG Member for Evo/Torau and Minister for Community Development, Melchior Dare, Director of Mining Programs, Joe Bangau, ABG House of Representatives Protocol Officer, Cornelius Besia, ABG Parliamentary Services Staff Member, Peter Topura, Task Force Committee Representative, Joe Kepa, COE Representatives, Women Leaders, Youth, Churches, Clan Leaders and Members of the Eight Landowner Clan Groups.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of EMAI Mediating Process, Albert Tosia said the process leading to the final reconciliation was a big challenge and therefore thanked everyone.

He said what the people were witnessing through the reconciliation was the result of determination, commitment and combined efforts that will now lead to the Limestone Project back into operation.

He appealed to all parties to work in collaboration if they wanted the Project to reopen.

ABG Member for Evo/Torau Constituency and Minister for Community Development, Melchior Dare also reconciled with disputing clan leader, Joseph Bairua. They publicly forgave each other, shook hands and gave each other a brotherly hug for the first time in five years.

They pledged to work hand in hand into other negotiations and to finally come up with a MOU to be signed between the ABG, Development Partner and the Eight Clan Groups on benefit sharing before work begins on the Limestone Project hopefully before December this year.

02.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

CARE PROGRAM ENDS WITH POSITIVE OUTCOME

By Alex Munme

AFTER three years of hard work in partnership to strengthen organizational capacity incorporated with gender equality to address youth social issues, Care Program ended with a positive outcome.

The Official handover of the Project to the ABG took place yesterday at Kekesu Mission Station in Tinputz District of North Bougainville Region.

The Project was an initiative by the Tinputz District Administration and Care International in PNG to strengthen the four pilot Village Assemblies in addressing youth social issues in the area.

The Project educated mainly youth and Village people on How to Write Business Proposals, Keep Proper Records and How to organize their Village Assemblies so that they perform their responsibilities to bring changes into the Communities.

Knowledge and skills gained through the project were also put into practice to establish Fish Farming, Brick Making, Developing an Education Resource Building Project, Fresh Food Growing and Marketing.

The handover program included Speeches inserted with Presentation of Certificates to 110 Participants from the four pilot Village Assemblies.

The Four Village Assemblies involved in the Project are Kosinamohina, Tinputz Coastal, Namatoa and Raosara.

Those attended the ceremony included ABG Member for Taonita/Teop Constituency, Micah Mose, Deputy Chief Administrator Operations, Herbert Kimai, Representing the Acting CEO Division of LLG, Sione Nash, Tinputz District Administration headed by Executive Manager, Blaise Vosivai, COE Representatives, Representatives from Development Partners including Care, Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen or SPSN and AUSAID.

ABG Member for Taonita/Teop Constituency, Micah Mose while speaking at the program challenged the participants to put into action the organizational skills and knowledge gained.

He also appealed for the extension of the Program to other parts of the region as it was found to be successful producing positive results in the end.

Deputy Chief Administrator Operations, Herbert Kimai also spoke highly of the program saying it has transformed lives of the people.

He congratulated Care for preparing the people at the Village Level who can now able to work with the ABG to implement Policies and delivery services to the rural Communities.

02.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

CHURCH HEALTH OFFICERS PREPARE FOR TRAINING

By Alex Munme

FIFTEEN (15) Health Officers are preparing to undertake a Laboratory Component workshop for the Provider Initiated Counseling & Testing for HIV/AIDS training this month.

The Fifteen Officers are from the United Church Health Services and will attend the workshop in Rabaul, East New Britain Province.

These Health Officers had completed two weeks HIV/AIDS training in Provider Initiated Counseling and Testing at Hahela last month.

Coordinator of the United Church of Papua New Guinea HIV/AIDS Services, Roman Pembi said that the training would certify them to address the HIV/AIDS Strategy which amongst other issues, to access HIV/AIDS Services to everyone in the Country.

Mr. Pembi said that since 2012, the United Church of Papua New Guinea was excluded from funding by National AIDS Council.

He said that despite its exclusion, the Church was still carrying out HIV/AIDS Programs particularly in advocacy and setting HIV Counseling and Testing Sites.

The United Church of Papua New Guinea had conducted eight PICT Trainings within the United Church Regions in Papua New Guinea and has trained 102 health personals to carry out the HIV Counseling and Testing between 2010- 2014.

Mr. Pembi also said that the Church was utilizing the Health Officers with Provider-Initiated Counseling and Testing Skills to expand the HIV Counseling and Care Services right into rural areas, where the health facilities are established.

02.04.2014

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BANEO AGRO TECH SCHOOL TO START

By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville will have its own Agro technical School and the school will start with about 400 students next week.

This was announced by the head of the Baneo Agro Tech School and former CEO for Education, TONY TSORA last week.

MR. TSORA told New Dawn FM that the school will be connected to the MORAMORA Technical School in West New Britain but will concentrate on Cocoa, Coconut, Poultry, Piggery, rice, Taro farming.

He said that Bougainville students who are supposed to enrol at Mora Mora in June will now enrol at the Baneo Agrotech school.

MR. TSORA said that the Baneo Agro tech school will enrol local farmers who want to know more about farming and will not require any level of education as the requirement for entry.

He said the school has been funded by the member for North Bougainville to support what he has established at the Baneo Plantation.

MR. TSORA said that the Baneo Agro tech school will enrol both male and females to come and learn.

On the ownership issue with the Baneo Plantation, MR TSORA said that this was up to the ABG to address.

The head of the Baneo Agro tech school did not announce the fees that students will pay to attend the school.

02.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

02.04.2014

Source: Bougainville24

Lamane’s Water Supply System project

By Joel Tauko

Lamane water outlet

Small scale water supply is vital to inland Areas of Lamane, a Nagovisi area in the Southern tip of Bougainville.

Distributions of small scale water supplies sourced from rivers to outlets emphases this significance. It is important to both typical villagers and transient users, such as tourists and distinguished guests.

The Lamane project started way back in 2007 and took more than five years to complete because of the rough terrain, but has eventually become a success.

With the initiative from the locals, AusAID and Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) the Small Scale Water Supply System has become a sensation and today the 2000 plus villagers living along the Singkodo Keriau Road can have access to clean water for the first time.

Hard work of villagers has finally paid off. They didn’t give up even though they did not get paid on time and some of the locals that did not get their money have since passed away.

They saw the bigger picture and knew the water supply will help them and serve their own and their children’s futures.

Every person from the area played role, providing labour and basic skills to cut down on unnecessary cost.

Locals helped in digging the 1.5m deep drainage, which extends more than 40 kilometres from the source of the water to the last water taps. They also carried the heavy pipes for more than 30 kilometres and tanks to its final places. A trained plumber from another area was hired to join the pipelines.

Lamane water pipe

Today the Water Supply System Project has improved the living standards and avoids risk of the villagers injuring themselves in a 20m climb to get water from the Ore and Ora rivers.

The Health Centre has access to clean water supply, which means the patients will not have any hard time walking miles looking for water.

The water supply has allowed for the construction ablution blocks which, is equipped with modern facilities, is the hospital’s greatest ever improvement.

This has opened the eyes of the locals to the true meaning of development.

Locals at the moment are also finding other means of making use of the water supply. For instance, they are using water supply for watering their garden food as well as washing their fresh products at market places. It has also enabled the villagers to begin fish farming in their backyards.

A committee has been elected and a given responsibility for administrating, managing, operating and controlling the group of users of the water supply.

In each village there is a committee that administers and manages the usage and maintenance of the water supply.

Committee managed water supplies range from simple point sources, from which community members collect water, to sophisticated systems that may involve maintenance of piped distribution into dwellings or yards.

Lamane water storage

The public are given responsibility to administer and manage by turning off the taps if water is running. They are also responsible for the provision of drinking-water to the public in a spatially limited area and to report any damage to the committee.

The second phase of the development project will see the water supply system extend to Sovele and to generate hydro-electricity for the communities, as well as building foot bridges over the terrains.

02.04.2014

Source. Post-Courier

TB posing big threat

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

A SENIOR health official in Bougainville has revealed that tuberculosis is now posing an imminent threat to the population of the autonomous region.

Health Division’s director of public health Aloysius Pukwenei said out of the population of 240,000 people, 24,000 of them are prone to developing TB.

Speaking during the World TB Day event held at Tearouki Health Centre in the Tinputz District of North Bougainville last Monday, Mr Pukwenei said from those that are prone to this disease, 2,400 are infectious cases.

Mr Pukwenei said they have already detected 1184 cases throughout Bougainville, and that 236 people out of those detected have never fully completed their doses and have gone back to live with their people in the community.

He warned that a TB patient was capable of spreading the disease to another 10 people in the area.

Mr Pukwenei said the main fear that the division has is the development of the multi drug resistant TB and they have already detected one patient with this drug resistant TB.

“As a result of these 236 leaving the hospital and infecting other people, we now have one case of drug resistant TB,” Mr Pukwenei said.

“If we are not able to manage these cases and they go out, while there are cases of multi drug resistant TB, how sure are we that we can manage this drug resistant TB.

“Medicines are expensive, management capability is low, and the health workers can’t manage, when this multi drug resistant TB spreads than the whole population is at risk. I want to warn you that TB is a security threat. We can say that ABG has a good plan. We can say that the Health Division has a good master plan. We can boast and say that Bougainville has a good plan known as the Bougainville Healthy Community program which is non-existent in other places,” he said, before stressing that those with the multi drug resistant TB only have a 50% chance of survival.

Mr Pukwenei later said that from this “2400 infectious cases, it is capable of infecting another 24, 000 people.

“The moment that this 24,000 is infected, (then) the whole population is at risk.

Mr Pukwenei also revealed that TB was now posing a big risk to children under the age of 15.

“When TB is affecting children under 15 years, then the rate of infectivity is very high, very very dangerous and it is going towards a very dangerous level. The good sign is that we must not find TB in children under 15. If you see TB affecting children under 15, then you will know that TB is infecting the community.”

The senior health official said the multi drug resistant TB is the common enemy for all Bougainvilleans.

He called on the council of elders, village assemblies, healthy community programs as well as other stakeholders including the people of Bougainville, to join hands and work hard to contain the spread of TB and other contagious diseases.

02.04.2014

Source. Post-Courier

Japanese war dead return home

By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS

Three members of the Japanese War Bereaved Association collecting the cremated remains for packing.

THE remains of Japanese soldiers who fought and died in Bougainville during the Second World War will finally be accorded a proper burial in their home country.

Their remains were exhumed from Torokina District and cremated at Sohano Island in Buka before being taken to Japan via Port Moresby.

The work of retrieving the remains is a result of two years of work under an agreement reached between the governments of Japan and Papua New Guinea which gave the green light for the retrieval of the war remains.

The first exercise began in September 2013 where 459 bodies were dug up while the second exercise occurred in January this year where another 776 remains were dug up and stored at the Division of Health Office store room at Sohano.

The exercise was carried out by a Japanese team consisting of members from the Japanese War Bereaved Association, an organisation formed by relatives of those war veterans and the government of Japan, the National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) and the local police.

Cultural coordinator of NMAG, Henry Arifeae who was part of the team said this is an ongoing program of retrieving the remains of war veterans from Japanese, Australia and America.

“We are only taking the body remains, but anything apart from that such as guns, bombs, helmets are for purpose of using as relics in a museum that we are planning to set up in the region with the Autonomous Bougainville Government,” Mr Arifeae said.

“We have cremated a total of 1235 bone remains and packed them in boxes to be taken to Japan via Port Moresby where an Export permit will be obtained for the remains to be taken to Japan for proper burial.”

The community of Torokina has been presented a total of seven generators for use in their communities as a token of appreciation by the Japanese Government.

The generators were distributed to the primary school, the health centre, the church and the community.

A television project and a road project are also in line to be funded by the Japanese Government as a gift for the people of Torokina.

01.04.2014

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG PRESIDENT COMMENTS PUBLIC SERVICE BILL

By Aloysius Laukai

ABG President, DR. JOHN MOMIS has commended the ABG Public service Minister and his officers for the tabling of the Bougainville Public Service Bill.

Commenting on the bill this afternoon, PRESIDENT MOMIS said that this bill will for the first time align the Bougainville Public service with the ABG Government something that has been lacking for a long time.

He said that part of the problem that ABG has faced in the past was getting the response and performance from the public service which was designed to report to somebody else.

President MOMIS said that the bill once passed will address these very issues and definitely some changes will be seen in the future.

Commenting on loopholes in the new law, President MOMIS said that these will be addressed one by one as the implementation of the law is implemented.

He said that the new law will for the first time make the ABG government taking control of Autonomy.

Inside ABG Parliament this afternoon

01.04.2014

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

WHY THE SUDDEN INCREASE IN ADVISORS ASKS MOROKANA

By Aloysius Laukai

A member of the LULE COE, PAUL MOROKANA today called on the ABG to stop getting more advisors into the Bougainville administration.

In a signed statement received by New Dawn FM, MR. MOROKANA said that his people are concerned in the sudden increase of advisors to the Bougainville Administration ahead of the upcoming referendum.

MR. MOROKANA said that there are more Bougainvilleans who can carry out these tasks and does not see any logic in recruiting expats who have their own interests.

He said that with all these advisors we have not seen any improvement and want these people removed as soon as possible.

01.04.2014

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

MINISTER TOMSCOLL WANTS BOUGAINVILLE TO PROGRESS

By Aloysius Laukai

The National Minister for Agriculture, TOMMY TOMSCOLL says that Bougainville has the potential to become a big player in the Agriculture sector.

The Minister made these remarks at the signing of the MOU between the PNG COCOA BOARD and the National member for North Bougainville, LAUTA ATOI witnessed by the Minister and his delegation in Haku last Sunday.

He said that he believed in Bougainville because they have done it in the past and can do it again and this time with the support of their government.

Minister Tomscoll said that with the assistance the North Bougainville farmers are getting from the North Bougainville member, all communities can go back into the agriculture sector.

Minister Tomscoll also called on the farmers to put more time and effort into the Agriculture sector instead of looking for jobs in towns.

He said that land is the place where much needed cash can be found.

01.04.2014

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

NO RECYCLED PUBLIC SERVANTS

By Aloysius Laukai

Recruitment of public servants under the new Bougainville Public Service should not entertain recycled Public servants from Port Moresby and other Centers.

ABG Vice President, PATRICK NISIRA told ABG house this afternoon that the ABG must recruit quality public servants and not retirees trying to return home.

He said that this is the only way, Bougainville will recruit the best qualified public servants who can serve the people of Bougainville better.

MR. NISIRA said that public servants must be recruited on merit that is Qualification and experience.

The Vice President also said that he wants to see public servants loyal to the ABG not members of other factions on Bougainville.

The three bills will be passed tomorrow after going through the 3rd and final readings.

01.04.2014

Source. Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LERA INVESTS IN FISHING

By Aloysius Laukai

The complete opposite is happening with the Bougainville members of National Parliament.

Whilst the North Bougainville member, LAUTA ATOI and Atolls islander is embarking on Agriculture sector for Economic recovery for Bougainville the Regional member a man from inland is now talking Fisheries.

And the Regional member has already purchased three fishing boats one each for the three regions of North, Central and South Bougainville.

These three fishing vessels will be arriving in the next few months with Philipino crews.

According to a invitation notice received by  New Dawn FM  this afternoon, the project will be owned by the people of Bougainville through the cooperative society network to be launched soon.

The project management team, ATIHA Management Services Limited, ABG Fisheries Officers and Commerce Division officers will be carrying out awareness in Buka at the Bougainville administration Conference room this Thursday starting at ONE PM.

New Dawn FM understands that the former regional member LEO HANNET registered a North Solomon’s Fishing Company to do just that and this company has not progressed since.

Pictured are the empty seats aloocated for the four Bougainville members of Parliament at today's session with non member and EMTV reporter Fabian Hakalits watches today's session

01.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Women at special mining forum support call to re-open mine

NEARLY all the women leaders from Bougainville that attended the special mining forum in Buka last week have supported the call for the reopening of the defunct Panguna mine.

However, they want all their identified conditions to be addressed first before the mine is re-opened, they said.

The women were divided into their districts and instructed to centre their discussions on the two main topics; should Panguna mine be reopened and what is their view on mining in general in Bougainville.

The women from Buin District in South Bougainville were the first to express their support towards the reopening of the mine saying it will create job opportunities for the people as well as raise the revenue for the ABG.

Other women also expressed the same sentiments saying the revenues generated from the mine will greatly improve the ABG’s economic outlook.

They added that ordinary villagers especially the farmers will also benefit because they will be selling their produce at the mine.

The only districts that opposed the reopening were Panguna District and Kunua District in North Bougainville while women from Kieta District were split with some supporting while others did not want the mine to be re-opened.

Some conditions raised by the women include the repealing of the Bougainville Copper Agreement Act 1967, ‘bel kol’ payment and compensation, the adoption of a proper waste management system as well as conducting a proper weapons disposal program.

They also want the new Bougainville Mining Bill to accommodate views of all people including women.

President John Momis while addressing the women leaders during the completion of the two day forum on Thursday evening, thanked the women for participating and freely expressing their views on this issue.

“I’m very happy with the vibrant, dynamic, intellectual as well as emotional exchange that we have just heard from this forum which is very encouraging,” Mr Momis said.

“We have the experience and knowledge to build a society that we have dreamt of for a long time. We do have a dream. And we do enjoy a unique opportunity,” added Mr Momis.

He said Bougainvilleans must now embark on a new journey of discovery, transformation, human fulfillment, peace, justice, an equitable distribution, good governance and all other human values that people aspire for.

“If we keep on changing the goal post, that is a recipe for disaster. I have always said that if there is solidarity between the government, the landowners and the people, the game is over. We will be in a strong position to negotiate, and that won’t be easy.

Mr Momis said multinational companies are experienced in the divide and rule tactic before adding that “if we are not united, then we are doomed for failure and further frustration”.

Mr Momis also stressed that fiscal self reliance was one of the benchmarks that ABG needs to achieve, before pointing out that nearly 98 per cent of funding used in Bougainville come from the National Government and other donor agencies.

“Is that a demonstration of the people who have the potential to become independent? No, this is a big shame.”and other.

01.04.2014

Source: Bougainville24

Profile of Kupe Village in Kieta

By Leonard Fong Roka

The Kupe Mountains are positioned in the centremost part of the central area of the Crown Prince Range, the mountain backbone of Bougainville in the hinterland of the former provincial capital, Arawa.

The lagoon-shaped valley is infested with rugged slopes, gigantic boulders, wild waterfalls, brawling rivers and cool mountain views towards the east coastal plains where one can see Arawa, the Arawa bay and the lower villages, such as Topinang.

A weary traveller will be very satisfied here.

The main river that cuts through Arawa, the Bovong River, has its sources in this high altitude homestead.

From oral records, the first settlers of these mountains were the warring Maangta clansmen, a clan that has the hornbill as its totem. These people first settled on a spot called Bobakuu and began trading with the outsiders further south-east, notably the Karakung area in the Kieta harbor, for clay pots and duku (shell money) that came from Malaita.

Towards the east the Kupe people traded for bows, arrows and toraa (traditional weaved bag) with the Ioro people (Panguna) that is a hill walk to the west.

These trade routes resulted in the arrival of the Basikang clan, from the Panguna area, and the Mairobe clan which married in to the Maangta.

Thus today the main clans, in order of population, of Kupe are the Maangta, Basikang, Bakoringku and Barapang.

The first Europeans to reach Kupe were the missionaries that arrived in the early 1900s and they introduced Christianity that the Kupe people still hold today.

Shortly after the missionaries came the colonial administration that was based itself at Kieta harbor from 1905.

The Germans and later the Australians took many of the young men to walk in the Kekereka (now Arawa) plantation along others from South Bougainville.

In the 1929 gold was discovered in the backyard of Kupe and Europeans became residents in Kupe. The cash economy flourished among the people and after its closure around 1937 it led to more men looking for work in the plantations.

Before the independence of PNG, people from Kupe were educated by the mission run schools. Many of this lot of mostly young men ended in the work force of the Conzinc Riotinto mine in Panguna and other sectors in the economically booming Bougainville.

After 1975 the interest in education faded since the government made no attempt to bring services like roads into the mountains. Despite the fact that the most of Kupe was under the special mining lease (SML) of the BCL, roads did not reach the people.

The Kupe Mountains today is made up of four main villages that are Nengkenaro, Sirona, Debereke and Turampa (the source of the Bovong River). This rugged land has a population of approximately 10,000 people.

In 1988 the Kupe people were some of the very first to support the late Francis Ona’s militancy and through the duration of the crisis Kupe was loyal to the independence movement. Kupe produced some notorious fighters for the BRA, but today are optimistic of the ABG and the PNG influence on the ABG.

Kupe Road

Having faced a long drought from access to vital services, like roads – that since the 1970s have only reached the low-lying villages beneath their mountains, the Kupe people decided in 1998 to build their own primary school.

They slowly revived the old Kupe Gold Mine and fundraised to purchase roofing iron and other materials from the coast in Arawa. Hired trucks then drove all the materials to Kaino village where human strength brought them on a walk that takes three hours through rugged terrain and wild river systems.

In 2007 the school graduated its first Grade 8 class of 16 students.

With the labour intensive gold panning work improving, lifestyles have been changing rapidly.

Sago palm thatched houses had faded replaced by new roofing iron. Nearly all families have a small canteen selling a few goods like soap, rice, tinned meat and clothes to the public, but still cargo comes up here on the shoulders of the people.

To cater for this exercise, there are groups that were formed for hire to carry cargo and so on from the nearest car-stop, the Kaino village. Any individual or businessman that wants his work done books one or more of these groups for an amount of money, most charge a K100.

In 2012, to bring four-wheel drive vehicles closer, the people began to dig their own road from Kaino. So far the heavy Land Cruisers cannot use the road but the lighter Toyota Hilux can make it.

Today, the digging continues, with an estimated 2 kilometres completed.

01.04.2014

Source: Post-Courier

Leader gives to women

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

Mrs Burain (second left) presenting the money to Mrs Ketotos while Mr Karaston and another women leader, Nancy Papi Toromet proudly display some of the money.

THE Suir women’s group received a K15,000 boost from their representative in the Bougainville House of Representatives last Friday.

The funding which was presented by the North Bougainville women’s representative, Elizabeth Burain to the representative of the Sui Kum po Kovoo (meaning Suir women group) at the Tekokni parish area in the Selau/Suir District, will be used by the women to start a micro scheme.

The ceremony was witnessed by the ABG member for Suir constituency and recently appointed Works Minister Luke Karaston and the women of Suir constituency.

Mrs Burain said this funding should be used to start up initiatives like a micro scheme to raise funds to develop their families and constituency as a whole.

Mrs Burain called on the women to “grow the money” so that it can also be used to fund other identified programs in their area.

“I want you to grow this money. You have to decide on what programs you want in your area, but most importantly you need to grow it,” Mrs Burain said.

She gave an example of the Tasman women group saying that out of the K3000 funding assistance they got from her they have already raised and saved more K12,000.

Mrs Burain said if they “grow this money” then it will enable them to be independent and not beg for funding assistance from the government or other funding agencies.

She said the contribution was also in-line with her campaign platform, to empower women economically.

“I decided to adopt this because I saw that women are always trying their best to earn an income to put  food on the table for the family,” Mrs Burain said.

She also gave a brief update and awareness on ABG’s journey towards its political destiny before calling on the people of Suir to worship God and not the property or riches they have. Sui Kum po Kovoo group representative, Elizabeth Ketotos thanked Mrs Burain for the assistance.

She said the Mrs Burain was the first women leader to visit the constituency and deliver funding to women.

Mr Karaston also acknowledged the contribution from Mrs Burain and thanked the women leader for her assistance.

Suir constituency is now the tenth out of the fourteen constituencies in North Bougainville that have received funding assistance from Mrs Burain.