News 12.2011.3

30.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Bank packed

by Aloysius Laukai

The Buka Bank since wednesday has been packed with cash running out.

 Pictured are customers outside the only bank BSP BUKA

30.12.2011

Source: The Nation

Japan helps Bougainville with K90mil for 15 bridges 

By STEPAHNIE ELIZAH

THE people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville are grateful to the Japanese go­vernment for supporting a K90 million impact pro­ject to build 15 bridges between North and Central Bougainville, Acting President Patrick Nisira says.

Nisira said this yesterday ahead of the official opening of the Iraka Bridge in Central Bougainville today.

“I can proudly say that is the single most and biggest impact project on Bougainville for the past 20 years,” he said.

“To negotiate this partnership project with the government of Japan and contractor to construct the bridges was not easy as we are regarded as a high risk autonomous region.

“We sincerely thank the people of Japan for supporting our partnership proposal by engaging Kitano as the contractor for our bridge programme,” Nisira said.

He thanked Kitano for the effort, hardship and commitment in facing a challenging task.

He apologised on behalf of the people of Bougainville for any problems with the employees of Kitano that led to the damage of company property.

“I say sorry, on behalf of our people, for the death of your men in the course of their duties on construction sites to help develop Bougainville,” he said.

He assured that the people of Bougainville had great respect for the partnership in the bridge programme and looked forward to future cordial relations and friendship with the government of Japan and its people.

Nisira described the Japanese as hardworking, respectable and sincere. 

29.12.2011

Source: ESBC Research

Ambitious Journey into Bougainville Turns Adventurous

by Lachlan Joyce

This report established in May 2011 gives a good overview that tourism and traveling on Bougainville is still a challenge.

  Find out more !  

29.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Liquor ban imposed in Bougainville

BOUGAINVILLE Police Service has warned it will not hesitate to apprehend any owner of liquor outlets selling liquor on January 1.

BPS, in a public notice, stated that selling of liquor on January 1 and 2 which are public holidays will not be allowed.

It said this is to deter drunkards from disturbing the peace and bringing disharmony among local communities in the autonomous region.

BPS advised that for their own safety, alcohol consumers should drink in their yards rather than in public places.

29.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Strong currents pull PMV

A public motor vehicle was dragged down the Iurun river at Tinputz district in North Bougainville after the vehicle with 13 people on board attempted to cross the river yesterday afternoon.

Reports from eyewitnesses said the Arawa based East Coast Express land cruiser was crossing the river when strong river current carried the vehicle with the passengers on board several meters downstream.

According to information received, all of the passengers managed to escape out the vehicle windows except for two infants on board, who were rescued by bystanders at the accident scene.

The eyewitnesses said the rescuers reprimanded the driver for ignoring telltale signs of strong current which is usual for the Iurun river after a night of heavy rain.

The driver is a veteran of the Arawa to Kokopau highway.

29.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG spends K100million state grant

ABG leaders must consider development plans on a region wide scope rather than in terms of their own constituencies or districts says Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) finance, treasury and planning minister Albert Punghau.

He said using constituencies and districts as a criteria for allocating scarce development resources only results in small community projects that make very little or no impact on the lives of the people.

Punghau said this when presenting an outline of ABG’s plans to spend the first one hundred million kina of the national government’s special financing package of K500 million to ABG from 2012 to 2016.

He said the ABG had decided to use the four pillars of the Bougainville priorities for development 2011 – 2015 as the basis to distribute the first K100 million as follows;

 • K8.5 million for peace and security,

 • K16.5 million for economic development,

 • K32.5 million for transport infrastructure,

 • K19.5 million for human development and

 • K8 million for good governance.

Punghau said the allocation under the five main expenditure programs amounted to K85 million with the remainder of K15 million allocated to fund projects in the constituencies, districts and Council of Elders areas.

29.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PEACE BRIDGES TO BOOST SMALL SCALE INDUSTRY

Bougainville acting president Patrick Nisira has challenged smallholder cocoa and coconut farmers in Bougainville to support the ABG in its economic recovery by working hard to produce copra and cocoa and develop other small scale industries.

Nisira said this today in anticipation of the official opening of Iraka bridge in Central Bougainville tomorrow.

Iraka bridge is part of a K90 million government of Japan funded project to build fifteen bridges between North and Central Bougainville.

Nisira said these bridges would boost the Bougainville culture of doing business, market for selling their produce and developing Bougainvilleans to actively take part in peace building, reconciliation and harmony.

He urged that the local communities take the opportunity to start slowly and small and progress further in time to building their own business to generate income for their family.

Nisira also appealed to the communities living near these bridges to look after the bridges well as it is a vital link to all the people of Bougainville.

29.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

IRAKA BRIDGE OPENS

THE people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville thank the government of Japan and its people for supporting a K90 million impact project to build 15 bridges between North and Central Bougainville.

This was conveyed by Bougainville acting president Patrick Nisira today in anticipation of officially opening Iraka bridge at Central Bougainville tomorrow.

He said to negotiate this partnership project with the government of Japan and contractor to construct the bridges was not easy as Bougainville is regarded as a high risk Region.

He also thanked the contractor Kitano for the effort, hardship and commitment of facing a challenging task especially on security.

He assured that the people of Bougainville have great respect for the partnership in the bridge program and looked forward to future cordial relations and friendship with the government of Japan and its people who Nisira described as hardworking, respectable and sincere.

29.12.2011

Source: Post-Courier

Teachers get house

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

ACCOMMODATION will not be a problem for teachers posted to Ameno primary school in the Bana District of South Bougainville. This follows the recent presentation of a K50,000 cheque by the Minister for Bougainville Affairs and South Bougainville MP Steven Pirika Kamma. The funding will go towards the construction of a new staff house. During the presentation many said the timely donation from Mr Kamma was a ‘blessing in disguise’. They added that the donation marks Mr Kamma as the first MP to fund any project in their school and area. While presenting the cheque, Mr Kamma challenged the parents and citizens of Ameno primary school to look after the project, adding that funding for other projects in the area will depend on the successful completion of this staff house project.

29.12.2011

Source: The National

Panguna locals back O’Neill 

THE Panguna Landowners Association is supporting the government of Peter O’Neill.

Association deputy chairman Michael Pariu, who is the chairman of its business arm, Road Mining Tailings and Leases Ltd (RMTL), has decided to break his silence to voice official support for the O’Neill regime.

Pariu said the association was ready to stand behind the government because “it is a genuine and people’s government which is prepared to be pro-active on many important issues affecting Papua New Guinea and Bougainville today, especially in combating corruption”.

“The people of Panguna commend this government for tackling this problem head-on and which the former Somare-led government had for a long time failed to address in an effective and honest way,” he said.

Pariu called on the government to support the association with funding for Panguna landowners to organise themselves in preparation for the re-opening of the Panguna mine.

On the Panguna mine and extension of licence, Pariu said the association urged the government not to renew the mining licence to Bougainville Copper Ltd.

“The ownership of any licence over the mine must now go back and remain with the landowners.

“The landowners are the rightful owners of the resources,” he said

In relation to the 2012 general election, Pariu said Panguna landowners were already seriously thinking about selecting and nominating their own candidate who would contest the Central Bougainville seat on an association ticket.

The seat is held by Minister for Communication Jim Miringtoro.

“We want our own man, a landowner himself from Panguna with appropriate leadership qualities who understands our issues to represent Central Bougainville in the national parliament this time.

“We have had enough of being misrepresented and lied to in the past by leaders who pretend to understand our problems and issues. Enough is enough.  We cannot take it anymore,” Pariu said.

“We are sick and tired of being tricked with so many empty promises.”

29.12.2011

Source: The National

‘Autonomy progressing’ 

THE people of Bougainville must be genuine in supporting and making programmes on autonomy work, senior programme officer with the Division of Autonomy Implementation and Monitoring, Kotrifa Naropa says.

Naropa said this during a presentation to an awareness team of Bougainville students from the University of Papua New Guinea yesterday.

“The people of Bougainville can realise greater freedom and liberation through the successful draw down of powers and functions from the national government to the ABG,” he said.

Naropa said this could be done by:

l    The establishment of sustainable peace to create the ideal environment where powers and functions drawn down from the national government could be used for development process;

l    Supporting weapons disposal to create an environment for good democratic governance;

l    Promote education to generate human resource for Bougainville’s future; and

l    Promote a healthy work force.

He said the implementation of the six MoUs for the draw-down of powers and functions approved in the joint supervisory board meeting in February were progressing well based on the available resource capacity and capabilities the ABG had.

They were for education, teaching service commission, health, lands and physical planning, forestry and department of primary industry.

Naropa said there was good progress in the drawing down of powers and functions of the National Fisheries Authority to Bougainville Fisheries Authority, National Works to ABG Technical Services and National Public Service to

Bougainville Public Service.

29.12.2011

Source: The National

ABG passes K264mil budget 

By STEPHANIE ELIZAH

THE Bougainville House of Representatives has passed a record budget of K264,651,600 for 2012.

It represents an increase of 45.7% over the 2011 Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) budget of K181,611,000.

Finance, Treasury and Planning Minister Albert Punghau said it represented a turning point in the progress of the ABG.

“The need for reconciliation, weapons disposal and improved law and order continues to be a major focus for the ABG,’’ he said.

“Improving the economy and the livelihoods of the people of Bougainville in preparing for the referendum continues to be a key priority, this has been

reflected in the framing of the 2012 ABG budget.”

Of the 2012 appropriation, 68.1 percent of the budget will be funded from the national government grants of K180,355,700.

Contribution from donor partners amounts to K37 million and ABG internal revenue accounts for K46,906,900 or 17.7% of the total revenue.

“The government still relies almost exclusively on the national government and donor partners to finance its annual budget but our revenue base is gradually expanding and in real terms, the government is expected to raise more internally than in previous years,” Punghau said.

28.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

COFFEE TESTED IN WISAI

By Tapo Tovilu

Coffee is currently being trilled in the mountain areas of Wisai in South Bougainville.

The plant, which is only grown in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, has been tested as part of a trail program run by the Coffee Growers Association in the Islands region.

Bougainville CGA representative Semion Pereka said that the trial program in Wisai is the first in South Bougainville and will be tested in other parts of the region.

He added that the climate and soil composite of the area in which it is been planted is similar to that of the parts of the Highlands region where coffee thrives.

Mr Pereka said that only a small area is been cleared in preparation for the trail plant with the coffee plants still yet in nursery.

He said that if the coffee is successful in Wisai, other parts will also be tested to see if the plant can be grown successfully.

The project started in November and the association is hopeful that the outcome of the trail will be promising.

28.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

House passes K264 million budget

THE Bougainville House of Representatives passed a record Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) 2012 budget of K264, 651, 600 yesterday.

The 2012 outlay represents an increase of 45.7 percent or K83 million over this year’s ABG budget of K1.8 million.

In highlighting the 2012 budget, ABG Finance, Treasury and Planning minister Albert Punghau said it represents a turning point in the progress of the ABG.

“The need for reconciliation, weapons disposal and improved law and order continues to be a major focus for the ABG.

“Improving the economy and the livelihoods of the people of Bougainville in preparing for the referendum continues to be a key priority, this has been reflected in the framing of the 2012 ABG budget,” said Punghau.

Of the 2012 appropriation: 68.1 percent of the ABG 2012 budget will be funded from the national government grants totaling K180, 355, 700.

Contribution from donor partners amounts to K37 million and ABG internal revenue accounts for K46, 906, 900 or 17.7 percent of the total revenue of 2012.

“The government still relies almost exclusively on the national government and donor partners to finance its annual budget but our revenue base is gradually expanding and in real terms, the government is expected to raise more internally than in previous years,” said Punghau.

28.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PEA cautions

PUBLIC Employees Association (PEA) Bougainville executives have urged union members to be critical of any information received from sources claiming they are acting on behalf of PEA.

PEA Bougainville president Herbert Kimai said there is currently a lot of misinformation circulating about the date of payment of risk allowances for public servants in Bougainville.

He said many union members from as far as Buin in South Bougainville are stranded in Buka town because of poor information received from non PEA sources.

He said PEA would only pass any authorized information through the district manager’s office for dissemination to union members in their respective districts.

Kimai added this is to ensure information channeled through the district managers is safe and disseminated through only one source.

28.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville                                                                                                                                              

AUTONOMY PROGRESS

THE people of Bougainville must be genuine in supporting and making programs on autonomy work says Senior program officer with the Division of Autonomy Implementation and Monitoring, Kotrifa Naropa.

He said this during a presentation to an awareness team of Bougainville students from the University of PNG last week.

Naropa said this can be done by;

 • the establishment of sustainable peace to create the ideal environment where powers and functions drawn down from the national government can be utilized for development process,

 • supporting weapons disposal to create an environment for good democratic governance,

 • promote education to generate human resource for Bougainville’s future and

 • promote a healthy work force.

He urged that the people of Bougainville can realize greater freedom and liberation through the successful draw down of powers and functions from the PNG government to the ABG.

28.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

COCOA BORER THREATENS WISAI

By Tapo Tovilu

Fears are circulating cocoa framers in Wisai of the threat of the cocoa pod borer entering the area.

For the past few months, the pest has affected parts of the areas of Koromira and many fear that it will soon spread into Wisai.

A cocoa farmer in Wisai, Samuel Ove has called on authorities to address the issue before it hits Wisai.

He says many farmers are in fear of losing their plantations to the pest, as they are not aware of what to do to prevent the pest from attacking.

He said this was due to the lack of awareness carried out by the Coconut and Cocoa Research Institute in the Wisai area.

He has called on the authorities to visit farmers in the Wisai area to help them prepare for the cocoa pod borer if it enters Wisai.

28.12.2011

Source: Radio New Zealand International

PNG gold miner details what its operation is worth to the country

The operators of the Hidden Valley gold mine in Papua New Guinea’s Morobe Province say the project has contributed 244 million US dollars to the PNG economy in the past financial year.

Morobe Mining Joint Ventures says 56 percent of this went on goods and services in Morobe Province.

It says tax and wages each took 6 percent, royalties two percent and community projects three percent.

The mine has over two thousand four hundred employees and contractors, most of whom are Papua New Guineans and the majority from Morobe.

ESBC: Panguna, operated by Bougainville Copper Limited could contribute even more to the people of Bougainville! 

28.12.2012

Source: Post-Courier

Panguna LO’s pro-O’Neill

By PORENI UMAU

Panguna Landowners Association (PLOA) deputy chairman who is also the chairman of its business arm, Road Mining Tailings and Leases Ltd (RMTL), Michael Pariu has broken the silence to voice out PLOA’s official stance to support the Peter O’Neill and Belden Namah Government.

Mr Pariu said PLOA is ready to stand behind Mr O’Neill because it is a genuine, people’s government which is prepared to be pro-active on many important issues affecting PNG and Bougainville today, especially in combating the corruption issue.

He said the Panguna people highly commend the O’Neill Government for tackling this problem head on which the former Somare led Government has for a long time failed to address in an effective and honest way.

Mr Pariu said because the O’Neill government is a pro grassroots’ and workers government, they must support PLOA with some funding so they can organise themselves in preparations for the re-opening of the Panguna Mine for the benefit of the landowners and the people of Bougainville.

Mr Pariu said that the people of PNG and Bougainville can no longer trust the former Somare led Government.

He said that Grand Chief Michael Somare has not been really honest with the people in the last 45 years of his reign, and the people have had enough of his leadership style.

On the issue of the Panguna Mine and extension of licence, Mr Pariu said that PLOA strongly urged the O’Neill Government to take a new stand not to renew the Mining Licence to BCL.

He said that the ownership of any licence over the mine must now go back and remain with the landowners who are the rightful owners of the resources.

In relation to next year 2012 National Election, Mr Pariu revealed that Panguna Landowners are now already seriously thinking about selecting and nominating their own suitable candidate who will contest the Central Bougainville Seat on the PLOA ticket, which is currently being held by Minister for Communication, Jimmy Miringtoro.

“We want our own man, a landowner himself from Panguna with appropriate leadership qualities who understands our issues to represent Central Bougainville in National Parliament this time. We have had enough of being misrepresented and lied to in the past by leaders who pretend to understand our problems and issues. Enough is enough, and we cannot simply take it anymore”, said Mr Pariu.

“We are sick and tired of being tricked with so many broken promises by some of the current serving Members in Parliament today.

“We want new leaders who can also pro-actively support ABG in the implementation of the whole Autonomy arrangement with the Government of PNG and the international community,” Mr Pariu said.

28.12.2012

Source: The National

Namaliu chairs Kina Security

SIR Rabbie Namaliu has been appointed as the new chairman of the leading PNG-based financial services company – the Kina Securities Group.

Sir Rabbie succeeded Hilary Wong who had stepped down after eight years in the position.

During Wong’s time as chairman, Kina has grown to become one of the largest non-bank financial services companies in PNG.

Sir Rabbie is a distinguished statesman and committed Papua New Guinean with ministerial experience in foreign affairs and trade, treasury, primary industry, petroleum and energy and other areas of government responsibility.

He had been a non-executive director of Kina Securities Ltd, and foundation chairman of the publicly-listed investment company Kina Asset Management Ltd. Sir Rabbie has also been appointed as the CEO of the soon-to-be-established Sovereign Wealth Fund.

He was appointed chairman of Kramer Ausenco, a new joint venture of PNG engineering company Kramer (PNG) Ltd and Ausenco of Australia.

He is non-executive director of Marengo Mining Ltd, which is developing the Yandera gold and copper mine and also a member of the board of Bougainville Copper Limited and is on the advisory board of InterOil Corp.

Kina Securities was founded in 1985 and provided a diversity of financial and investment services including investment fund management, business and personal lending, superannuation fund administration, stock-broking and trustee services.

Sir Rabbie said a recent strategic alliance between Kina Funds Management and global investment bank Credit Suisse would expand existing and new business opportunities.

This initiative ensured that Kina Funds Management now has access to international advice and guidance as well as direct access into new investment in developed and developing markets via Credit Suisse’s global footprint.

This allowed Kina to address complex investment requirements arising from growth in the finance, mining and exploration sectors in PNG and also other areas of the South Pacific.

“As PNG and the South Pacific continues to grow economically and has become increasingly attractive to international investors, this important link with one of the world’s largest banking groups is a further important milestone for PNG and its ongoing opportunities and growth in the 21st century,” Sir Rabbie said.

He said that Kina Securities had recently made a significant investment in upgrading of its investment management system and development of a comprehensive risk management structure.

In addition, Kina had also implemented the case360 workflow system into its fund administration division.

28.12.2011

Source: Radio New Zealand International

Campaign continues for restoration of Sir Michael Somare as PNG prime minister

Despite Peter O’Neill’s solid grip on government in Papua New Guinea, the rival Somare group still maintains it is the legitimate administration.

The country was plunged into political turmoil just over two weeks ago when the Supreme Court ruled the O’Neill government put in place in August was illegal and it restored Sir Michael Somare as prime minister.

In a flurry of controversial law changes the O’Neill group re-asserted control and won the backing of key institutions.

However the rival attorney general Sir Arnold Amet says eventually the O’Neill group must realise its law changes were subordinate to the Supreme Court ruling.

He says the Somare camp is seeking declaratory judgements on the purported legitimacy of the O’Neill government.

“So it is not over by a long shot in my opinion. And in our view, Sir Michael, in our contention, is still the legitimately restored Prime Minister by the Supreme Court - the impartial adjudicator of constitutional issues in this nation.”

Sir Arnold Amet

28.12.2011

Source: Radio New Zealand International

PNG corruption task force gets more money to continue its work

Papua New Guinea’s O’Neill government has allocated an additional 1 point four million US dollars to the Task Force Sweep team which is investigating allegedly corrupt public spending.

The team was set up soon after the O’Neill governnment took power in August.

It was initially given funding of two point eight million US dollars.

The task force has targetted members of the former Somare administration, senior government officials and prominent business people.

The Post Courier reports that its chairman, Sam Koim says in the New Year they may look into the Taiwan diplomatic scandal.

27.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

INCREASED REVENUE

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG will raise more than 20 Million kina in 2012 according to the Minister for finance,Albert Punghau.

In his 2012 ABG Budget, MR.PUNGHAU said that the government is broadening its revenue raising base in 2012 and expects to raise more monies from the 8million mark it has been raising in the pasts.

He said since the introduction of excise duties for alcohol and tobbacco in November the ABG has already netted more than SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA.

27.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG BUDGET PASSED

ABG PASSES 2012 BUDGET

by Aloysius Laukai

The autonomous bougainville government this afternoon passed its 2012 budget the highest since the establishment of ABG in 2005 totalling TWO HUNDRED SIXTY FOUR MILLION AND SIX HUNDRED FIFTY ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED KINA.

In tabling the budget, Finance minister Albert Punghau said that the 2012 budget represents a new era in Bougainville's efforts to fully implement Autonomy by ensuring that our people are ready to participate on the referendum between 2015 and 2020.

He said that theme of the 2012 budget is 'enhancing autonomy through investment development.

The budget was approved after the members debated for more than 3 hours this afternoon.

26.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Boxing day work

BOXING WORK

By Aloysius Laukai

Despite the boxing day holiday contractors at the TAMBOLEMA building in Buka continued to work to complete the building before tenants move into the building next week.

 Pictured are Plumber Robin and Meto resizing the size of the timber

26.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG BUDGET

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG house of representatives will meet tomorrow to approve the 2012 budget.

According to the Speaker Andrew Miriki the last sitting was deffered to tomorrow because they had to wait for the national government to table their budget first.

Mr.Miriki said he requested for the house to sit tomorrow so that the members can finally approve the 2012 ABG budget.

Meanwhile Buka has been quite during the christmas period.

Work will resume tomorrow before starting the new year break.

25.12.2011

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Me'ekamui support O'Neill

By Aloysius Laukai

President of the Me'ekamui unity government in Panguna, Philip Miriori has expressed his support on the young and vibrant leadership of Peter O'Neill and Belden Namah government.

However in doing so, Miriori has also recognised and thanked the leadership of grand chief Michael Somare in the last 36 years.

He said grand chief Somare has contributed immensely towards the nation building of Papua New Guinea since self government and independence.

Mr. Miriori said Papua New Guinea and Bougainville owe alot to the grand chief for his outstanding leadership and his contribution will be remembered for many years to come.

He said the people of Bougainville particularly the people of Panguna would like to thank the chief for the role he played during the Bougainville crisis to finally bring peace to Bougainville.

Mr.Miriori made these comments when sending christmas greetings to the people of Bougainville and PNG

25.12.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Merry Christmas
By Aloysius Laukai

ABG President,chief John Nuguria Momis has called on the people of Bougainville to continue see the birth of christ has God's goodwill towards mankind and take this spirit and work towards lasting peace building and development on Bougainville.

Chief Momis made these remarks on his christmas and new year message to the people of Bougainville.
He was talking to New Dawn Fm from Philippines yesterday by phone.

Chief Momis said that the future of Bougainville was bright but people must unite and work together to develop the region.

He said that the region would accelerate its activities towards economic recovery in the new year.

New Dawn FM understands that since the ABG introduced extra tax on beer and cigarrettes last month it has started collecting extra monies from Bougainvillean wholesalers.
 

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