News 01.2013

31.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

ABG to send two to regional meeting

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) will be sending two of its members to attend the Pacific Parliamentary Leadership Dialogue scheduled to be held in March this year in Canberra, Australia.

The two members nominated to represent the ABG include the ABG deputy speaker and member for Terra constituency in the Wakunai district of Central Bougainville, Robin Wilson and the member for Selau constituency in North Bougainville, Terry Mose.

This meeting, which will be held from the 12-15 of March will be sponsored by the Centre of Democratic Institution.

Member for women in North Bougainville in the Bougainville House of Representatives, Elizabeth Burain, who had also participated in the same event held last year, had already spoken highly of the benefits of this program.

The ABG is confident that more positive changes will come about again following the attendance and participation of these two leaders in this year’s program.

31.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Teachers’ houses and power

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE problem of shortage of teachers’ houses in one of the primary schools located in the Siwai district of South Bougainville will soon be a thing of the past.

Thanks to South Bougainville MP and Minister for Bougainville Affairs, Steven Pirika Kamma, for allocating funds for the construction of the school’s two new staff houses.

The staff houses, each at a cost of K75,000 were constructed at Hurai Primary School in the Kopi constituency of Siwai.

The construction of these staff houses had come about following the establishment of good working and relationships between Mr Kamma and the member for Kopi constituency in the Bougainville House of Representatives, Philip Kuhena.

Funding for the staff houses were sourced from Mr Kamma’s district support improvement program (DSIP) funds. 

Apart from the construction of the two staff houses at Hurai Primary School, Mr Kamma has also funded a solar power project for Konga Primary School.

Konga Primary School is also located in the Kopii constituency of Siwai.

This solar power project, which had cost the MP over K240,000, was shipped over from Australia by a local contractor.

This project will now enable the students and staff of Konga Primary School to have 24 hour power supply. 

The other impact project funded by Mr Kamma in the Kopi constituency is the Hurai aid post.

Work on this K60,000 funded aid post project is nearly completed.

31.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville bully beef!

by WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE cattle industry in Bougainville is on the rise. There are already people on the island who have decided to do away with their traditional lifestyle of looking after pigs and concentrating on small cattle farms. The cattle business will certainly gain momentum because many people in Bougainville have already shown interest and are willing to raise cows instead of pigs. Pictured is a herd of cows relaxing under shades at one of the cattle farms located by the road in the Manetai area of Central Bougainville.

31.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

WHO WANTED A MASTER PLAN

By Aloysius Laukai

The CEO for the HEALTH DIVISION on Bougainville DOCTOR ANTHONY PUMPARA said that the Minister for Health and VICE PRESIDENT, PATRICK NISIRA wanted a long term Health Plan instead of annual Heath Reports which forced the division to seek help to work on a Health Plan.

DR. PUMPARA said since then the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION conducted two assessments on developing a Health Plan of which AUSAID finally came in to assist with the Master Plan starting with the RAPID Assessment.

DR. PUMPARA made these remarks at the launching of the Bougainville Health Master Plan on Sohano island last Friday.

He said committees engaged by AUSAID then approached all the Bougainville communities to gauge their views on Health developments in the region.

The Doctor also called on the people of Bougainville to support the division in implementing the plan.

31.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

RABAN COMMENTS

By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville Business Association has already submitted a policy paper to the ABG for enactment in its March sitting.

The Executive Officer of Bougainville Business Association, THOMAS RABAN revealed this to New Dawn FM this week.

MR. RABAN said that the Bougainville Business Association was working with the ABG through the Minister for Commerce to enact the policy that would protect Bougainville Business houses and also investors who may want to involve in big Impact projects.

MR. RABAN said that once the policy is passed then all business houses have to comply to the policy.

On Internal revenue being raised by Businesses Houses, MR. RABAN called on Bougainvilleans to support the ABG by paying taxes.

He questioned how Bougainvilleans expect to support their government when they continue to avoid paying taxes by getting cargoes in the Solomon islands and also avoiding taxes on Cigarettes and Beer by ordering their cargoes from Rabaul.

31.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

HOME GROWN PLAN

By Aloysius Laukai

The CEO for the Division of Health on Bougainville, DR. ANTHONY PUMPARA has praised AUSAID and all stakeholders throughout Bougainville for contributing to the development of the Bougainville Health Master Plan.

Speaking at the launching ceremony in Sohano last week, DR. PUMPARA said that the plan was a locally produced plan based on the contribution of all the health facilities and communities approached during the initial stage of developing the plan.

He said that all their comments and suggestions raised during visits by committees engaged by AUSAID were accommodated in the final documents launched last week.

DR. PUMPARA said that now was the time of implementing the plan to see results in the end.

31.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

CAR FACES

By Aloysius Laukai

A Bougainville chief Andrew Peugai has called on the people of Bougainville to forget about cars and seek compensation by other means.

MR. PEUGAI told New Dawn FM from Buin that he was concerned at the trend in which anyone on Bougainville who has any grievances aims to commandeer a vehicle.

He said this trend was painting a very bad image for Bougainville as a land of FACE CAR people,

MR. PEUGAI was commenting after two District vehicles owned by the Bana District and Siwai district were taken by people over non payment of some bills by the government.

He said that these type of activities must be stopped if Bougainville wants to move forward.

31.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ARAWA HOSPITAL MOVE

By Aloysius Laukai

The Central Regional Parliamentary Committee has recommended that the ARAWA GENERAL HOSPITAL be fully re-instated to its former status.

The Committee recommended that the Allocation of ONE MILLION KINA be used to upgrade the facilities at the Arawa Health Centre to facilitate the move.

DR. JOE VILOSI made this announcement on the ABG’s Member’s update last week.

He said that work has already started on the move to Arawa and he would be the first Doctor to be based in Arawa under the program

DR. VILOSI said that the move was made because many of the referred cases currently attended in Buka were from Arawa and Buin and getting closer to where the people were was their first intention to save lives and monies.

31.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

SALEM ON HEALTH

By Aloysius Laukai

The WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION representative on Bougainville REZA MOHAMAD SALEM said that WOLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION is committed to working closely with the Division of Health on Bougainville.

DR. SALEM made these comments at the launching of the Bougainville Health Master Plan on Sohano island last Friday.

He said that the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION has been working with the Health division on Bougainville on many health issues one very outstanding one was the TB Dots program. 

The World Health Organization also assisted with the preparation of the Health Master Plan.

31.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

RABAN ON BUSINESS BILL

By Aloysius Laukai

One of the Executives of the Bougainville Business Association, THOMAS RABAN is calling on the Autonomous Bougainville Government to settle outstanding bills owed by the government to the local Businesses.

Speaking on New Dawn FM last night, MR. RABAN said that the Government must assist the Business Houses instead of killing them.

He said now that the ABG has 390 million to spend this year it must start to pay bills owed for services rendered to the Government.

MR. RABAN said that Bougainville Business houses cannot compete with outsiders coming into the region because the Government does not honor its commitment to its own people.

31.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PRESIDENT TO MOVE OFFICE

By Aloysius Laukai

ABG President DR. JOHN MOMIS will move to the newly built President’s office at KUBU on Buka island.

This house built on a block of land owned by the COCOA/COCONUT Research Institute (CCRI) was started as a Conference and Training facility for farmers but was later changed to accommodate the office of the President who was squeezed at the upper end of the current Parliament house.

According to a memo from the ABG Speaker, ANDREW MIRIKI to the chief administrator, the final contractors fee totaling 260,000 must be paid in order for the President to move to this new building.

The Speaker said that once the ABG President moves to the new building he will then renovate the current officer to accommodate members who do not have proper offices to operate from.

NEW DAWN FM understands if everything settled quickly the ABG President should be operating from his new office in March this year.

31.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PAYROLL QUESTIONED

By Aloysius Laukai

Workers employed by the Autonomous Bougainville Government are questioning why they have missed out on their salary for two consecutive paydays.

They told New Dawn FM today that it was very frustrating for the workers to miss out on their pay and no one is explaining why this is happening.

They said that if the administration has changed its payday to a different week they should let them know so that they can prepare for these changes.

New Dawn FM understands that the staff of ABG Parliament are also affected by this problem.

31.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

RABANZ EDUCATION

by Aloysius Laukai

Meanwhile the President for the Bougainville Business Association, THOMAS RABAN wants education facilities offering courses to make sure their School’s are able to get their students get employment on Bougainville and outside.

He told New Dawn FM that parents invest on their kids in the hope of getting good education locally however these schools must also provide quality training for these students.

MR. RABANZ welcomed the establishment of schools on Bougainville by both Bougainvilleans and non Bougainvilleans but wants who ever coming in must be qualified and has the capacity to produce good educated Bougainvilleans.

31.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

SCHOOLS CHALLENGED

By Aloysius Laukai

As the nation of Papua New Guinea is preparing for the 2013 School year parents are questioning the validity of some schools springing up in Buka town.

Former chairman of the KONNOU COE, ANDREW PEUGAI today called on the Education Division to monitor and suspend private schools offering substandard courses and charging very high fees.

MR. PEUGAI said some schools did not have qualified staff who are teaching and they must be streamlined according to the Education policy.

He said that he has some students that came out with certificates from a computer school that cannot even operate a computer.

MR. PEUGAI also called on the ABG parliament to make sure that the Education policy to be passed in the March session also covers these establishments.

30.01.2013

Source: Islands Business

Raid on Solomon Islands

Bougainville criminals rob Shortland logging camp 

There has been a raid by criminals, believed to be from Bougainville, on a logging camp in nearby Shortland Islands, part of the Solomon Islands.

The Shortlands are actually closer to Bougainville than the Solomon Islands and there are traditional ties between the two areas.

There is a history of intermarriage between the Shortland and Buin people, with trade continuing to this day.

The recent raid occurred on 20 January when a group armed with at least one factory-made pistol entered the logging camp and threatened security guards.

They reportedly made off with several chainsaws.

An ex-combatant in Buin whose group is working closely with local police to maintain law and order in the area said he knew who the perpetrators were after learning of the gun used in the raid.

He said he will find the culprits and help bring them to justice.

“The chainsaws are here in Buin,” he said, adding, “the people in the logging camp have information but are scared to talk.”

He said his intelligence suggested that a logging employee had helped the raiders conduct the heist.

“It looks like an inside job,” he said.

Ex-combatants in Buin have been working closely with the police to maintain law and order in the border town and surrounding areas - something welcomed by the community.

A local business person expressed the view that, though Buin had until recently been known as a “cowboy town”, she now feels very safe, thanks to these efforts.

Radio New Zealand reported that “there has been a call by Solomon Islanders living along the sea border with Papua New Guinea to review security” in light of the raid.

Meanwhile, duty - and tax-free alcoholic beverages from the Solomon Islands are openly available for sale in Bougainville.

The Solomons-brewed beer SB is on sale in mainland Bougainville whilst Saratoga, a pre-mixed alcoholic beverage, can be bought on the mainland and Buka Island.

Saratoga is available in two flavours - Whisky and Cola, and Vodka and Orange.

Saratoga is eight percent alcohol, making it around twice as strong as Papua New Guinea’s locally produced pre-mixed drinks.

One local Bougainvillian commented that “we have learnt this stuff is like Jungle Juice”.

This is a reference to strong home-brewed alcohol. “We know that we have to mix it with soft drink,” he continued.

If Saratoga is not mixed with soft drink, due to its strength, it can have unexpected results.

Saratoga’s sweetness allows it to be consumed quickly and the consumer gets very drunk fast.

In Australia, these types of drinks are known as “alcopops” because they are popular with young people.

They are taxed heavily in that country in an attempt to make them too expensive for youths.

Both Saratoga and SB are sold in Bougainville for around the same price as Papua New Guinea’s SP beer as no import duty or tax is paid on it when it is brought in from the Solomon Islands.

This is because there is no customs and quarantine border post between PNG and the Solomons.

As a result, alcoholic drinks are able to be brought into the country freely and without penalty.

The potential for other contraband, including drugs and weapons, to enter the country unchecked is obvious.

30.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Disin urged to pay contractor quickly 

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE Speaker of the Bougainville House of Representatives, Andrew Miriki (pictured below) has called on the Bougainville Chief Administrator to settle all outstanding payments owed to the contractor of the new ABG President’s Office.

Mr Miriki said if all the outstanding payments were made and the work on the President’s Office completed, the President could move into his new office by March this year.

The President’s Office is currently being housed at the ABG Parliament House at Kubu on Buka Island.

The decision to move the President’s Office to a new location follows the Bougainville Executive Council’s (BEC) resolution that the ABG Parliament Building should house the Parliament House of Bougainville. 

Mr Miriki said once the president moved into his new office, he could then renovate the current building or make an additional building to accommodate the Members of the House of Representatives, who at present did not have proper offices to operate from.

Mr Miriki has already instructed the ABG clerk Robert Tapi to consult the Works Department or other contractors to inspect the current Parliament building.

30.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Yombon-Copio: Border not manned

Papua New Guinean Envoy to Solomon Islands and the Republic of Vanuatu, Brian Yombon-Copio (pictured), has denied claims that people of other nationalities other than Papua New Guineans and Solomon Islanders cross the border between the two countries. 

He found that only Shortland Islanders and Bougainvilleans who have ancestral ties cross the border. 

Mr Yombon-Copio said local people from Shortland Islands travel across to sell their produce and catches in Buin market, as it is convenient and takes less than an hour than it takes to travel to Gizo, the capital of Western Province (four hours), and two hours to travel to Taro the capital of Choiseul Province. He said there is a border post in Shortland Islands but it is not staffed by officers from Immigrations, Customs and Quarantine. 

Mr Yombon-Copio said he had consultations with authorities from the Solomon Islands Government and confirmed that officers have been assigned at Shortland Islands but Shortland Islands is a cluster of islands like Fauro, Mono, Ovau, Lufong, Kulitanai Bay, etc but they become bored and have difficulties accessing imported goods to sustain their living, thus become discouraged and return to Gizo or Honiara. However, there is a contingent of police personnel from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in Kulitanai Bay and Participating Police Force – part of the RAMSI program – at Lufong Island, who also assist in policing matters within Shortland Islands, said Mr Yombon-Copio. 

Meanwhile, the High Commissioner said the PNG Government had made a commitment to build a border post in Buin in 2009. 

The construction was not completed as there was increasing illegal activities in Bougainville especially in the Buin area. The commitment is there and there is nothing wrong with government funding. Mr Yombon-Copio said to raise the issues at the Joint Border Committee of the two countries this year to discuss strategies to properly regulate and monitor the border between the two countries. 

30.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville facilities to be upgraded

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE ministry responsible for Sports in the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) will be embarking on a major drive to redevelop and revitalise all existing sporting facilities in Bougainville.

Bougainville Regional Sports Co-ordinator Marceline Kiarei, when revealing this to the Post-Courier early this week, said this redevelopment exercise is the brainchild of the ABG Minister responsible for sports, Melchior Dare. Kiarei has already instructed all the district community development officers (DCDOs) based in the 13 districts of Bougainville to take stock of what sporting facilities like playing fields or basketball courts they have in their districts.

Their findings would then be forwarded to Kiarei before March this year so he can brief Minister Dare on the total number of facilities and the costing needed to redevelop these facilities.

Minister Dare would then present this proposal during the next ABG Parliament session schedule for March this year where he would seek funds to kick-start this exercise.

Apart from the redevelopment of the sporting facilities, Minister Dare and Kiarei will also be looking at equipping the sporting codes in Bougainville with equipment they will need to boost their performances to new heights.

Sporting codes that will benefit include boxing, kickboxing, karate and others however, Kiarei emphasised that these equipment will be owned by the Autonomous Bougainville Sports Foundation ABSF) and not the individual codes. 

Kiarei also added that the ABG is planning of constructing four stadiums throughout Bougainville. 

30.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

The cool culture of Bougainville

By NICOLA FOWLIE in ARAWA

Last week eleven cultural groups consisting of youth groups and school children gathered in Nagovis, Bana District in Bougainville to perform and compete in Tampara Du’anta Melanesia Inc. (TDM)’s fourth annual Cool Culture Competition.

It was a fantastic day full of colour, costumes, singing, dancing, music and acting, and huge amounts of enthusiasm, pride and support were evident among the performers and one thousand-plus audience.

TDM was founded in 2008 by the late William Takaku as a way to revitalize and protect the unique culture of Bougainville and to encourage and support the transfer of traditional skills, knowledge, culture and arts and crafts to the younger generation. By inviting schools and youth groups to practice and perform, TDM encourages the young generation to learn and take pride in their culture by showcasing it to the community, epitomizing the vision of the late Mr. Takaku.

The performers ranged in all ages from the barely walking to adults, but the majority were school aged children and youths. The enthusiasm and zeal among them was a joy to watch and some were having too much fun to leave the stage. The performances included traditional singsing kaur, dances and drama skits and storytelling, and were either briefly explained at the beginning or narrated throughout. The Kogola Cultural Group acted out a tale beginning with ancestors from inland and from the coast coming together to trade, after sharing some kaikai and buai first. After trading is completed, one member of the clans comes down sick and the witch doctor is called. Despite treatment the patient still dies, leading that clan to ask the other for compensation, which is paid in the form of a live pig which came onstage and stole the show.

Rounding off the day was the Miss Bana and Mr. Bana event – a contest challenging young men and women to stand in front of their peers and display and explain their traditional costume, tools, weapons and accessories, and to impress with their knowledge of their ancestral history. The contenders for Miss and Mr. Bana explained everything from how to chew buai, to how to wear and use their baskets and spears, to showing off traditional shell money and jewellery cases.

All performing groups received acknowledgements and consolation prizes, but the top prize of the day went to the Kongare Cultural Group. They received a cash prize which will go towards future group expenses, such as transport to future events. Second and third prize went to Dalenai Youth Group and Kogola Cultural Group, respectively.

TDM are looking forward to one of their biggest programs, the Reeds Festival, which will be held in Arawa in July 2013. It will be a spectacular event and fantastic chance to see Bougainville culture up close, including singsing kaur, dancing, drama, and arts and crafts on display. 

30.01.2013

Source: The National

Bougainville a priority for AusAID  

By ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

BOUGAINVILLE is one of five priority provinces in PNG which AusAID concentrates its efforts and financial assistance on.

AusAID representative in Bougainville Tracey Tann said at the official launch of the Bougainville health master plan last week, that AusAID had a long history of supporting health work in the autonomous region and would continue to do so.

Health is one of the four priority areas of Australian aid in PNG and Tann said over the next three years, Australia’s assistance across PNG was focused more on improving maternal and child health.

She said the Bougainville health master plan launched in Buka was another partnership between the ABG, the national government and AusAID towards health service delivery to all the communities in Bougainville.

AusAID funded the preparation and collating of all information for the 18 years plan of improving health services in Bougainville.

Bougainville’s health and education divisions are ready for the draw-down of national government powers.

They are waiting for the ABG to enact policies at its next parliament session in March.

The health division would then become the first ABG department which would implement this master plan under ABG’s own laws.

29.01.2013

Source: ESBC

NEW TRADING ROOM ! 

29.01.2013

Source: The Post-Courier comments:

Prioritise PNG border management

THE Papua New Guinea (PNG)-Solomon Islands border just off the coast of Bougainville has to be one of the country’s least monitored international boundaries.

And for a region of PNG that was at the center of a bloody civil war that lasted 20 years and claimed thousands of lives, it is indeed a disappointment that national security and welfare of citizens living close to that imaginary line have fallen off the radar for the relevant authorities.

Revelations by the Post-Courier today that there is no official PNG government presence including assets and infrastructure at that strategic location is a cause for concern. 

So what has the PNG Border Development Authority (BDA) been doing all this time? And what happened to the millions of PNG Kina in public funding which was appropriated to the government agency since its establishment by the then Somare government? 

According to a BDA official a border post to be built at Kangu is yet to get off the ground due to the lack of funding.

“The problem is funding. We have submitted our 2013 development budget for the National Government to fund Kangu border post but got nothing,” said a BDA official.

Failure by successive PNG governments to give priority to developing infrastructure on our side of the border, specifically the key entry and exit points, is now starting to create problems for the PNG National Government and the ABG. 

Reports of unidentified expatriates including Asians getting into PNG from the Solomon Islands’ Shortland group and being met by Papua New Guineans waiting at the AROB confirms how porous our national borders have become. 

Therefore it is not a surprise to hear of a raid, allegedly by men from Bougainville, on a Shortlands-based logging company. According to reports the criminals were armed with factory-made pistols. 

But reports of Papua New Guineans crossing into Solomon Islands territory to terrorise its isolated communities are not new. 

And these problems will continue to be a recurring problem unless Port Moresby and Honiara – in consultation with the ABG – beef up their presence and build proper facilities on both sides of the border. 

Ironically, it is the BDA that should be taking the lead in addressing economic development and security issues in PNG provinces that share their boundaries with international borders. When the state agency was created and commissioned by the then Somare government in 2009, it was allocated an estimated $US28 million to do its work. Today, over three-years after its commissioning, the various border-related problems facing the AROB and other provinces are a testimony to its failure. A review of the operations and functions of the BDA is long overdue.

29.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Raid on Solomon Islands

Bougainville criminals rob Shortland logging camp

THERE has been a raid by criminals, believed to be from Bougainville, on a logging camp in nearby Shortland Islands, part of the Solomon Islands. 

The Shortlands are actually closer to Bougainville than the Solomon Islands and there are traditional ties between the two areas. 

There is a history of intermarriage between the Shortland and Buin people, with trade continuing to this day (see separate story). 

The recent raid occurred on January 20 when a group armed with at least one factory-made pistol entered the logging camp and threatened security guards. 

They reportedly made off with several chainsaws. 

An ex-combatant in Buin whose group is working closely with local police to maintain law and order in the area said he knew who the perpetrators were after learning of the gun used in the raid. 

He said he will find the culprits and help bring them to justice. 

“The chainsaws are here in Buin,” he said, adding, “the people in the logging camp have information but are scared to talk.” 

He said his intelligence suggested that a logging employee had helped the raiders conduct the heist. 

“It looks like an inside job,” he said. 

Ex-combatants in Buin have been working closely with the police to maintain law and order in the border town and surrounding areas - something welcomed by the community. 

A local business person expressed the view that, though Buin had until recently been known as a “cowboy town”, she now feels very safe, thanks to these efforts. 

Radio New Zealand reported that “there has been a call by Solomon Islanders living along the sea border with Papua New Guinea to review security” in light of the raid.

29.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Shortlanders share a lot in common with Bougainville

By DAVID LORNIE in BUIN

DESPITE being Solomon Islanders, the people of Shortland Islands live closer to Papua New Guinea than their own country.

So close are the islands to PNG that residents can pick up the Digicel mobile phone signal transmitted from Bougainville. 

The Shortlands are less than two hours by dinghy from Buin, South Bougainville – but to get to the Solomons mainland takes two days by boat. Most choose to board the Solomon Airlines twin otter to Honiara. 

The Shortlanders are traditional border crossers and have much in common with the Bougainvillians. 

A group of Shortlanders travel early every Saturday morning to sell fish and other seafood at the Buin market (pictured). They return in the evening carrying money, sweet potatoes, store goods and sometimes SP beer.

Buin market.

Dominic Aisa, 38, makes the weekly trip to Kangu beach, Buin. He has a small retail shop on Fauro, a small island with just three villages and, he estimates, around 1000 people.

“We bring fish and clams,” Dominic says. “We return with potatoes and shop goods to sell.” 

He and his fellow traders leave Fauro at around 3.30am and arrive at Kangu after five to jump on waiting landcruisers that take them to the market, a short drive from the beach.

Once at the market you cannot tell the Shortlanders from the Buin locals. 

There has, over the years, been intermarriage. 

29.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Security threat at PNG-Solomon Islands border

By DAVID LORNIE in BUIN

PAPUA New Guinea’s national security is being compromised as our international border with the Solomon Islands remains unmanned and unregulated.

Whilst public scrutiny has recently been focused on PNG’s land border with Indonesia our sea border with the Solomon Islands has slipped under the radar. 

This is despite the fact that Solomon Islands and PNG nationals regularly travel between the two countries without official travel documentation. 

In an age of international terrorism and trans-national crime, this lack of regulation poses a serious national security risk.

From Kangu Beach, Buin, in South Bougainville, you can see the Shortland Islands which belong to the Solomon Islands.

It takes less than two hours by dinghy to get there and Solomon Islanders make the trip every Saturday to sell fish at the Buin market. 

There is no border post at Kangu and they travel without passports.

But of greater concern from a national security viewpoint is the reported arrival in PNG of unknown and undocumented persons from other countries. 

Buin locals told the Post-Courier there is a weekly flight to the Shortlands from the Solomons capital Honiara and illegals have been seen entering PNG by dinghy after the flight arrives. 

“They are met by Papua New Guineans (not Bougainvillians) and they enter the country,” said a Buin local.

“They come for their own purposes; we don’t know what for...we have seen white people and Asians”.

There is a border post scheduled for Kangu in 2014 but work has yet to begin on it.

A spokesperson from the PNG Border Development Authority admitted in an email to this newspaper that, while the project has been discussed, “the problem is funding. We have submitted our 2013 Development budget 

for the National Government to fund Kangu border post but got nothing.”

Post-Courier visited Kangu Beach on Saturday and witnessed several dinghies arriving from the Shortlands carrying traders and their produce.

While there we also met an European tourist who said he had entered PNG legally through the border post at Vanimo, Sandaun Province. He was on his way to the Solomons. 

He was frustrated to find there was no border post in Bougainville to stamp his passport upon departure from PNG. 

Instead he visited a government official in Bougainville’s capital Buka who stamped his passport, though he was unsure if it was the correct and legal stamp.

Meanwhile people continue to enter the country unchecked.

29.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Illegal sales on PNG-Solomon Islands border

DUTY- and tax-free alcoholic beverages from the Solomon Islands are openly available for sale in Bougainville. 

The Solomons-brewed beer SB is on sale in mainland Bougainville whilst Saratoga, a pre-mixed alcoholic beverage, can be bought on the mainland and Buka Island. 

Saratoga is available in two flavours - Whisky and Cola, and Vodka and Orange. 

Saratoga is eight percent alcohol, making it around twice as strong as Papua New Guinea’s locally produced pre-mixed drinks. 

One local Bougainvillian commented that “we have learnt this stuff is like Jungle Juice”. 

This is a reference to strong home-brewed alcohol. “We know that we have to mix it with soft drink,” he continued. 

If Saratoga is not mixed with soft drink, due to its strength, 

it can have unexpected results. 

Saratoga’s sweetness allows it to be consumed quickly and the consumer gets very drunk fast.

In Australia, these types of drinks are known as “alcopops” because they are popular with young people. 

They are taxed heavily in that country in an attempt to make them too expensive for youths.

Both Saratoga and SB are sold in Bougainville for around the same price as Papua New Guinea’s SP beer as no import duty or 

tax is paid on it when it is brought in from the Solomon Islands. 

This is because there is no customs and quarantine border post between PNG and the Solomons.

As a result, alcoholic drinks are able to be brought into the 

country freely and without penalty.

The potential for other contraband, including drugs and weapons, to enter the country unchecked is obvious.

28.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Buin no longer ‘cowboy town’

Words: WINTERFORD TOREAS. I  Picture: DAVE LORNIE.

BUIN Town in the southern tip of Bougainville has always been known by many as a ‘Cowboy Town’. 

After the crisis ended, this nametag was still associated with Buin town. 

This was because nearly every day you would see people especially men carrying bush knives or grass knives and walking around the streets of the town. 

However, this ‘cowboy town’ nametag is now a thing of the past, thanks to the police and the former combatants from the area. 

Since their joint operations before the festive period, they were able to instil peace and normalcy back into this once-troubled town. 

Now mothers and children can move around freely without fear.Even drunkards can never be seen walking around and causing nuisance around the Buin town streets anymore. 

Any drunkards causing trouble in and around the town are caught and handed over to the police to be locked up at the police station. 

The Buin market, which in the past was a place always targetted by drunkards is also now a safe place where people can go to do their shopping, as shown above where fishermen from the neighbouring Solomon Islands selling fish at the Buin market last Saturday.

27.01.2013

Source: ESBC Research 

BOC Charts updated !

This is the latest 3-months chart. It's frustrating but it shows very good the spectacular impact of the fraudulent market manipulation on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney.

  Find out here why better times for BOC shareholders are supposed to come up  during the next months. Click here !  

26.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

AUSAID ASSISTANCE

By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville is one of the five priority Provinces in which AUSAID concentrates its efforts with its assistance to Papua New Guinea.

This was revealed by the AusAid representative on Bougainville, TRACEY TANN (pictured) at the official launch of the Bougainville Health Master plan on Sohano island last Friday.

Ms Tracey Tann said AUSAID was happy to support the ABG in this new phase of strengthening the work of delivering Health service throughout Bougainville.

She said that Health is one of the four priority areas of Australian Aid in Papua New Guinea.

And over the next three years Australia assistance across all of Papua New Guinea was focused more on improving Maternal and Child health, as this was important in terms of saving the lives of mothers and children and also improving the whole health system in the country.

She said that the Bougainville Health Master Plan launched here in Buka was another partnership arrangement between the ABG, the National Government and AusAid towards Health service delivery to all the communities on Bougainville.

AusAid funded the preparation and collating of all information for the 18 years plan of improving Health Services on Bougainville.

Health Division with the Education Division on Bougainville are ready for the Draw- down of National Government Powers and are just waiting for the ABG to enact policies at the ABG Parliament in the March session of ABG Parliament.

The Health Division would then become the first ABG Department which would implement this Master-plan under ABG’s own laws.

25.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LAUTA SERIOUS ON RICE

 By Aloysius Laukai

The National member for North Bougainville, LAUTA ATOI (pictured) is serious in his plans to get Bougainville move into agriculture this year.

MR. ATOI told New Dawn FM this morning that he would be sending two officers from the Primary Industry Division to LAE next week to train on using these equipments before they are sent to the region.

He said the two would be based at the TAIWAN technical centre in Lae before returning to Bougainville.

MR. ATOI said he wants Bougainville move into commercial Rice farming and other agriculture commodities this year.

On his earlier talk of looking at poultry farming, MR. ATOI said that a hatchery would be stationed at Kubu whilst the abattoir would be built in Tonsu where all meat would slaughtered and packed for sale.

He said Bougainville needs to increase its internal revenue by producing finished products in the region.

25.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

RESPECT YOUR LEADER

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG member for EIVO TORAU and Minister for Community Development, MELCHIOR DARE yesterday called on the people of Halia to respect their elected leaders. 

He was speaking at the failed reconciliation ceremony at TOHATSI village on Buka island.

MR. DARE reminded the people of HAHALIS and Halia that what they did to their member was not good as the Vice President was a young and vibrant leader that is respected by Bougainville for his status in the community.

He said that the people need to quickly organize and reinstate their leader by reconciliation with him and his people.

MR DARE said that MR. NISIRA a second term ABG member is a respected person and the people of HALIA need to apologize to the people of Bougainville for their actions. 

The reconciliation would be held on a date yet to be set by the Halia home-guards.

25.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

RISK ALLOWANCE UNDERPAID

 By Aloysius Laukai

Former public servants entitled to the National Government’s Risk Allowance and missed out on the first and second batch payments would be paid under a new arrangement been developed by a committee set up by former public servants.

Team leader for the group of former public servants, JOHN KOLAN told New Dawn FM that they have met authorities to present their case for immediate payment.

MR. KOLAN called on those former workers who missed out to give their names for updating.

He said that his committee would be visiting the districts to get names of former workers who missed out.

MR. KOLAN said that they have received instructions from the office of the Prime Minister to redo all calculation at TWENTY FIVE KINA a day AND INCLUDE ALL SEVEN DAYS of the week as per the NEC Decision.

He said that they payment should be just one figure across the board and not some getting more than others as all worked under the same risk.

MR. KOLAN said that it was not fair for former workers from South and Central Bougainville to pay for ONE HUNDRED KINA transport fare just to pick up a TWENTY FIVE KINA Cheque.

He said after visiting the districts his committee can now present the latest figures making sure that no one is missed this time.

MR. KOLAN said that they hope to present their final submission in March this year.

25.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

CULTURE BLAMED FOR VIOLENCE

By Aloysius Laukai

Francis Semoso (pictured) a male advocate with the agency said that culture which elevates the man as more important than a women is also contributing to this problem.

He told NewDawn FM’s Women’s Programme , that Leitana was carrying out lot of awareness on gender equity which should raise the status of women to the same level as their male counterpart.

MR. SEMOSO said that women are men’s equal partners and should be allowed the same privilege as their male counterpart.

25.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LAUTA ASSISTS STUDENTS

By Aloysius Laukai

The National member for North Bougainville, LAUTA ATOI (pictured) today gave ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA as counterpart funding to charter MV Bougainville Atolls to ferry teachers and students between the Atolls islands of Motlock, Tasman, Fead, Caterets and Nissan and Bougainville to start the 2013 School year.

The charter is for a total of TWO HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND KINA which the ABG will meet the remainder of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND KINA.

Member Lauta told New Dawn FM this morning that he had to contribute because education and health is very important services that the government must provide to the people.

He said most of the times teachers and students from the Atolls have to wait for months for transport and this year they want to make sure schools start on time.

25.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

NISIRA APPEAL FOR CALM

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG Vice President, PATRICK NISIRA this afternoon called on the people for Bougainville to remain calm and not to make any moves that could derail the peace process that has taken years to achieve.

 supporters, relatives and friends pressurized him to take a stand.

He told the gathering at Tohatsi this afternoon that as a leader he had to remain calm and find ways to negotiate with the people of Hahalis.

MR. NISIRA said that as a leader for Hahalis and Halia as a whole he had to think of the big picture that is peace and reconciliation on Bougainville and not to be distracted by these small issues that can be sorted out easily.

He blamed the Bougainville administration for putting him in this situation by not addressing their grievances earlier.

The ABG Acting President said that he had involved in ending the complex problem in Konnou that has taken five years and resulted in many deaths and wants the HAHALIS issue resolved peacefully.

Picture of the stage

Ausaid rep MS TRACEY TANN presenting her speech at the ceremony.

25.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

NISIRA ON HEALTH PLAN

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG Minister for Health and Deputy President, PATRICK NISIRA todaylaunched the 18 years Master plan to guide the region into referendumand beyond.

The plan he said would guide health services on Bougainville through a period of rapid change, politically, economically, environmentally and socially with its intention to lift the performance of the division at all levels.

MR. NISIRA said that the vision is to make sure all the people of Bougainville enjoy the full services and live long an healthy life.

He said that all Health infrastructures were destroyed during the Bougainville conflict and part of this strategy is to get these services back to the acceptable level again.

The Minister said that this rebuild will first of all loot at the infrastructures around the region so that all our population have the same access to quality health services.

On the Health workers, MR. NISIRA said that the workforce was a fundamental building block for improved health delivery, therefore this plan also prioritizes increased training and development support for the current workforce as well as developing the workforce for the future.

To make this happen, MR. NISIRA said that retraining the large group of workers who had restricted opportunity due to the crisis is an early priority.

25.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Health Master plan launching

by Aloysius Laukai

The division of Health on Bougainville is launching its Health Master Plan this morning at its headquaters on Sohano island the home of District Commissioner during the colonial era.

The Health Master plan is launched ahead of the ABG health policy which will be enacted at the March session of ABG parliament.

The health policy is one of the several policies which the ABG wants to enact at this session of parliament.

Amongst those are policy on Education,Health,Building Board and Mining just to name a few.

Once these policies are made the ABG divisions would complete the drawdown of powers and become departments operating under the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

According to information gathered from the Autonomy Implementation division, Education and Health divisions are both ready for the draw down of powers.

The official launching will be made by the ABG vice President and Health Minister, PATRICK NISIRA who is also the acting President in the absence of the ABG President Chief John Momis who is overseas.

25.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville upset with Eluh’s transfer 

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) is not happy with the recent decision by the PNG Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga to transfer the current Bougainville police boss out of the region.

Acting ABG President Patrick Nisira, while expressing his concern over the decision to transfer 

He said since the ABG was the legitimate authority on the ground, it should have been consulted and also given a chance to make a choice on Bougainville’s next head of police. 

But Mr Nisira said the ABG still maintains its stand that Mr Eluh is still the best person to head the Bougainville Police Service (BPS).

Mr Nisira said that since the appointment of ACP Eluh as Bougainville’s police chief nearly three years ago, outstanding progress has been made in terms of the current police structure and training of current BPS members to be competent in the workplace. 

He added that Mr Eluh was an outstanding police chief for region who won the hearts of many Bougainvilleans through his wise decisions.

He said Mr Eluh was also instrumental in negotiating peace between the different warring factions in the once-troubled Konnou area in Buin, South Bougainville.

Another significant achievement made by Mr Eluh came about just after the election and formation of the current Bougainville House of Representatives in 2010.

Tension had brewed between the supporters of the former President James Tanis and his successor Chief Dr John Momis when the latter won the race with 

a massive margin. This had resulted in Mr Tanis’ supporters issuing threats that they will take up their arms again. 

However, the looming trouble was immediately quelled following swift actions by ACP Eluh in 

brokering peace between the two groups.

Mr Nisira, who is also the ABG Minister for Police, is now appealing to the RPNGC hierarchy to rescind the decision made about a fortnight ago to transfer ACP Eluh to the Mamose region.

He said ABG still needs him to complete the impact projects that he had started since his arrival in the region in 2010.

Meanwhile, ACP Thomas Eluh is currently on leave and South Bougainville Police Commander Superintendent Paul Kamuai has been appointed as the acting ACP Bougainville. 

He will act on this position until Mr Eluh returns from his leave.

25.01.2013

Source: The National

Buka pair on trial for theft of cash and goods 

By ELIZABETH VUVU

BUKA district court yesterday committed two men to stand trial in the national court for stealing K23,000 in cash and goods worth more than K85,000 from a business house.

Magistrate Bruce Tasikul found there was sufficient evidence to commit John Bosco Lahis and Rodney Sisika to the national court in Buka on a set date and time.

The men were charged on June 12 last year at Buka town in Buka district in the North Bougainville Autonomous Region for stealing with violence the sum of K23,000 in cash and goods worth K85,524, the property of a Noelyn Wang and Norak Trading Ltd.

They were in the company of nine others.

The prosecution submitted that there was enough evidence to commit both men.

There was evidence that Rodney Sisika told his brother that they were going to hold up Norak Trading.

Even though they did not actually hold up Wang, there was evidence that both played a part in planning to commit the offence.

Tasikul said after reviewing all the witnesses’ statements that he accepted there was no evidence in identifying the defendants in the actual hold up of Wang .

The only evidence that connected both defendants was from the main witnesses Noel Katsin, Spencer Sisika, and Rolland Bonot.

“The defendants deny being part of the gang that robbed Norak Trading.

“However, the crucial question is why did they jump with the gang on the same boat to Koromira, Central district?”

Tasikul said whether or not they were part of the gang that robbed Norak Trading Ltd or whether they played a role in the robbery, it was not his role to decide.

“I must not lose focus of the role of a committal court,” he said.

“There are issues that need to be determined and this court does not have jurisdiction to address them.

“It is up to the trial court.”

25.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Classy scraper

CONSTABLE Chris Ere of the Bougainville Police Service in the mountainous areas of Toisiko, Wakunai district, Central Bougainville. Constable Ere and his team had gone into the Toisiko area to conduct awareness on law and order issues when they came across this toy-like scraper. Constable Ere said he really admired the scraper, and would make a similar one for his kitchen at Wakunai barracks.

Picture: WINTERFORD TOREAS

24.01.2013

Source: ABC Radio Australia

Bougainville told to solve issues before referendum

The president of Bougainville says several important issues need to be resolved ahead of a planned independence referendum.

The president of Bougainville says several important issues need to be resolved ahead of a planned independence referendum.

John Momis has confirmed the referendum will be held in the Papua New Guinean autonomous region by 2020.

But he says Bougainvilleans must address issues like weapon disposal and good governance practices to ensure the referendum has a desirable outcome.

The right to hold a referendum on independence was included in the peace agreement finalised in 2000.

But parliament is yet to set a date for the vote.

Anthony Regan, from the Australian National University's Melanesia program, told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat there are several stumbling blocks.

These include simmering divisions over mining.

"The mining issues in Bougainville is what really kicked off the war there," he said.

"There was really deep unhappiness about the way that the revenue of the mining by Rio Tinto at Panguna was divided between the national government and Bougainville, and also about environmental and social impacts,"

24.01.2013

Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

Bougainville confirms independence referendum

before 2020

The President of Bougainville has confirmed that a referendum on independence will go ahead before 20-20 once the autonomous region has resolved oustanding issues.

John Momis says Bougainvilleans must address issues like weapon disposal and good governance practices to ensure the referendum has a desirable outcome.

The right to hold a referendum on independence was included in the peace agreement finalised in 2000 but parliament is yet to set a date for the vote.

Presenter: Geraldine Coutts

Speaker: Anthony Regan, Melanesia Program, Australian National University

  Listen here !  

23.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

POLICE APPEAL FOR PEACE

By Aloysius Laukai at Tohatsi

The Bougainville Police Service today apealed to the people of Hahalis, Tohatsi,Halia and Bougainville as a whole to respect the rule of law and support the peace process on Bougainville.

Buka police station Commander. Sgt Emmart Tsimes (pictured) told the Tohatsi meeting this afternoon that the situation on Bougainville was delicate and could explode out of hand if actions by a minority is not handled properly.

SGT TSIMES said people should not involve in actions that could derail the peace process that has come a long way. The car was released to Bougainville Police this afternoon.

23.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

TOHIANA CONDEMNS INCIDENT

By Aloysius Laukai

The chairman of the Halia COE, ROMEO TOHEANA has condermned the action by HAHALIS homeguards to hold the vice President's for extra weeks.

He echoed the same sentiments as the Hahalis chief ANTHONY HATOBU who said that the chiefs had no power to convince them to reconcile.

MR. TOHIANA said that the HAHALIS group will later have another ceremony to reconcile with the member for Halia and vice president, PATRICK NISIRA.

They said that they have to prepare for this ceremony at a time convinient to them.

23.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

CHIEF OVERPOWERED

By Aloysius Laukai

The paramount chief of Hahalis ANTHONY HATOBU said that the HAHALIS Chiefs have no power to negotiate with the Hahalis home guards to attend the planned reconciliation ceremony at Tohatsi village this afternoon.

MR.HATOBU made this remarks at the planned reconciliation ceremony at Tohatsi village this afternoon.

He said although the vehicle will be returned this afternoon however they will not attend the meeting because they were not prepared for today,s ceremony.

23.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

RECONCILIATION ABORTED

by Aloysius Laukai in Tohatsi, Buka island

The reconciliation ceremony to hand over the vehicle for the ABG Acting President, PATRICK NISIRA has been cancelled because the leaders of the Hahalis homeguards refused to attend the ceremony this afternoon.

Despite this, those members and ABG ministers shared the food and made some speeches before returning.

Buka police met the Hahalis homeguards and came with their representatives that include the Chairman of Halia COE AND chairman of Buka chairmens, ROMEO TOHIANA and Hahalis chief ANTHONY HATOBU. Bougaonville

Reports is that vehicle will be taken by Bougainville Police back to Buka this afternoon.

23.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

RETURN VICE CAR

By Aloysius Laukai in Tohatsi

Attempts to return Vice President, PATRICK NISIRA 's official vehicle from disgruntlled former Hahalis homeguards is dragging as we have been waiting for them since morning.

The vehicle was seized by the group two and half weeks now.

The problem has raised concerns by former combatants who want the vehicle returned immediately without any conditions.

Reports from Hahalis is that they are waiting for police to see them and face the vice president.

In Tohatsi the home of vice president are ready to reconcile with the group and have already cooked food for the ceremony.

23.01.2013

Source: PNG Attitude

World agrees first global treaty to curb mercury pollution

Russian Television | Additional commentary by Axel G. Sturm

A CONVENTION SIGNED IN GENEVA has legally bound over 140 countries to new laws as part of an attempt to prevent the spread of deadly mercury pollution.

Environmental mercury levels have been rising, and anticipated further increases have motivated UN delegates in Geneva to reach a consensus on the solution.

 Mercury can cause a range of neurological and health problems and is potentially fatal in large doses.

The legally binding rules, known as the Minimata Convention, was established on Saturday morning. The UN approval of the treaty followed recently published data which demonstrated an alarming rise in levels of the highly toxic metal, especially in developing states.

‘Minimata’ is the Japanese name for a neurological disorder that arises from severe mercury poisoning, symptoms of which can include numbness in the extremities, ataxia, damage to speech, sound and sight, paralysis and death.

Once released into the environment, mercury can become more concentrated as it moves up the food chain. It can bio-accumulate in fish, which humans then consume.

The UN said a growth in small-scale mining and coal-burning were the primary reasons for the rise in mercury emissions.

Axel G. Sturm (President, European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper) comments:

Alluvial gold is produced and sold in large quantities in Bougainville. As I am informed, most people who work with mercury don’t even know how dangerous it is.

Recently the Autonomous Bougainville Government discussed this problem and I strongly believe it is up to us to inform the people of Bougainville through our media platforms. We are obliged to do this.

Mercury is not a problem of Bougainville alone, of course, it’s also a problem for all Papua New Guinea.

22.01.2013

Source: EMTV

Lera distributes education funds to Bougainville 

Bougainville Regional MP Joe Lera says educating Bougainvilleans now will determine the long term prosperity of the Island.

And he has distributed a quarter of a million kina towards school projects.

Reporting: Fabian Hakalits

22.01.2013

Source: RT -  Russian Television

Over 140 countries agree on first-ever global treaty to curb mercury pollution

A convention signed in Geneva has legally bound over 140 countries to a set of newly established laws as part of an attempt to prevent the spread of deadly mercury pollution following a rise in the toxin’s emissions.

Environmental mercury levels have been rising, and anticipated further increases have motivated UN delegates in Geneva to reach a consensus on the solution. Mercury can cause a range of neurological and health problems, and is potentially fatal in large doses. 

The set of legally binding rules, known as the Minimata Convention, was established on Saturday morning following overnight negotiations preceded by a week of discussions. 

UN Environment Program (UNEP) spokesperson Nick Nuttall told Reuters that a “treaty to start to begin to rid the world of a notorious health-hazardous metal was agreed in the morning of January 19.”

The UN approval of the treaty followed recently published data which demonstrated an alarming rise in levels of the highly toxic metal, especially in developing states.

Deadly mercury

Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. It can also occur naturally, such as in cinnabar deposits, coal and limestone.

In the past, it was frequently used in thermometers, but was phased out amid health concerns over its neurotoxicity. 

Children toxified by mercury as used in alluvial mining  -  also in Bougainville!

Mercury is still, however, a byproduct of chemical and mining processes. It remains in the environment for a lasting period of time. 

It is particularly prevalent in fish and shellfish, who store it as ‘methylmercury,’ an organic compound of the substance, which builds up in their system over an extended period of time.

Mercury is a serious health threat, especially for unborn children, and exposure to it can not only have neurological effects but also an impact on the digestive and immune systems, internal organs and skin, if touched.

‘Minimata’ is the Japanese name for a neurological disorder that arises from severe mercury poisoning, symptoms of which can include numbness in the extremities, ataxia, damage to speech, sound and sight, paralysis and death.The condition itself is named after the Kyushu Island city which suffered a severe outbreak in 1956 from untreated chemical factory wastewater. 

Once released into the environment, mercury can become more concentrated as it moves up the food chain. It can bioaccumulate in fish, which humans then consume. 

UNEP said a growth in small-scale mining and coal burning were the primary reasons for the rise in mercury emissions.

Small-scale mining on Bougainville

"Washing" gold  on the banks of  a Bougainville (Jaba?) river and on the beach near Torokina.

The UN-mandated limits on mercury emission include restricting the supply of and trade in mercury, its use in products and industry, measures to reduce emissions from small-scale gold mining, and measures to reduce emissions from metal production facilities and power plants.

However, UNEP told Reuters that the agreement could take three to five years to come into force.

The poisonous metal is frequently used in chemical production and mining. Coal-burning power plants are infamous for being the largest human-caused source of mercury. However, it was reported in November 2012 that plans had been made for more than 1,000 new coal power plants to be built worldwide, 76 percent of which would be built in China and India.

Prior to the new agreement, UNEP had published a report warning that developing nations were facing growing health and environmental risks from increased exposure to mercury, attributing the rise in emissions to small-scale mining and coal burning. 

Joe DiGangi, a science adviser with advocacy group IPEN, told AP that while the treaty is “a first step,”it is not stringent enough and should impose stricter limitations in order to accomplish the goal of reducing overall mercury emissions. 

The signing ceremony for the new regulations will take place later this year in Japan.

How many Bougainvilleans had been severely toxified or even killed to provide such a golden crown to notorious conman Noah Musingku - the self-appointed King Pei II ?

22.01.2013

Source: The National

Dept gives solar panels, lights to Bougainville schools 

THE Department of Education has handed over solar lamps to the Autonomous Bougainville Government division of education.

The solar panels and lights were given to Bougainville education chief executive officer Bruno Babato by education deputy secretary Damien Rapese.

These solar panels will be distributed to 24 schools when the new school year starts.

Schools that will receive the panels and lamps are: Aravia Primary School in Tinputz, Toresure Primary School in Tinputz; Isina Primary School in Kieta; Carterets Primary School on Cateret Island; Balil Primary School on Nissan Island; Nuguria Primary School in Nuguria; Wasinobus Primary School in Tinputz; Hapan Primary School on Buka Island; Saposa Primary School in North Bougainville; Karwaia Primary School on Nissan Island; Koianu Primary School in Kieta; Kupei Primary School near Panguna; Daru Primary School in Kieta; Itae Primary School in Wakunai; Oune Primary School in Panguna; Asitai Primary School in Wakunai; Kipau Primary School in Buin; Katukuh Primary School in Siwai; Lautan Primary School in Buin; Mamarego Primary School in Bana; Yamamoto Primary School in Buin; Konga Primary School in Siwai; Sininai Primary School in Siwai, and Misirari Memorial Primary School in Bana. The panels and lamps were handed over on Jan 11th.

22.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LERA ON SUPPORT STAFF

By Aloysius Laukai

The Regional member for Bougainville yesterday said that his office has been filled by educated Bougainvilleans who represent the entire Bougainville region.

He said he has selected qualified personnel so that they can assist him and at the same time they can learn to be future leaders.

MR. LERA made these comments at HANAHAN yesterday.

He said he does not believe in getting relatives to work with him as others have been doing in the past.

MR. LERA said that he has a researcher , a project officer, electoral officer who are committed to the future of Bougainville.

The regional will continue with his awareness in the Bana district this week.

22.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LEADERSHIP MUST UNITE

By Aloysius Laukai

The Regional member for Bougainville JOE LERA says Bougainville leadership needs to unite for Bougainville to progress.

He said that within his term of office he would like to work with the ABG leadership and factions like Meekamui and U-Vistract.

MR. LERA says that Bougainville’s vision was to go into referendum and independence and only a united Bougainville will achieve this goal.

He said he has twenty five projects that he has set to prepare Bougainville towards independence.

The Regional member made these remarks at HANAHAN on Buka island yesterday.

He said if within the five years Bougainville does not develop these 25 projects Bougainville would not be ready and should continue in the next five years.

MR. LERA said collaboration between all Bougainville members of parliament has already seen a lot of projects on Bougainville.

He said that within the last five months he had funded 55 projects for Bougainville.

The breakup for the projects are as follows, under the RESI that is Rehabilitation Education Services Improvements 8, discretionary funds 38 projects and non discretionary 9 projects.

22.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

FIFTEEN MILLION FOR MEMBER

By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville Regional member, JOE LERA will for the first time have funds allocated under him.

He announced this at the 31st awareness meeting at HANAHAN yesterday.

MR. LERA said for the first time, he would be allocated FIFTEEN MILLION KINA for Bougainville from the National government’s 2013 budget.

He said all Regional members throughout the country will get FIVE MILLION KINA for the number of electorates in their provinces.

MR. LERA explained Bougainville had three electorates therefore he has been given FIFTEEN MILLION KINA.

The member explained that distribution of these funds would be made by the leaders of Bougainville in separate meetings for the districts.

He said that for North Bougainville, selected leaders from COE’s and ABG leadership would allocate to projects at a meeting to be held at Hangan village in April this year.

MR. LERA said that dates for meetings for Central and South Bougainville would be announced later.

21.01.2013

Source: Radio New Zealand International

Solomons concern over PNG border activity

There has been a call by Solomon Islanders living along the sea border with Papua New Guinea to review security.

Leaders in the Shortland Islands (map) want consultations with the Regional Assistance Mission RAMSI, the Solomon Islands police and the international police after reported transgressions in the area.

Reports say a group believed to have crossed from PNG’s Bougainville entered a logging camp in one of the islands and left with logging equipment.

The Shortland people were badly affected during the Bougainville crisis of the 1990s when members of the rebel Bougainville Revolutionary Army and soldiers of the PNG Defence Force fought battles on their soil and shores.

An elder has told our correspondent that Shortland people still recollect the frightening experiences of those days.

21.01.2013

Source: EMTV News

Minister Maru to visit Mining and Petroleum companies 

Mining and Petroleum companies must implement their National Content Plans satisfactorily.

This is from minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Richard Maru when he announced he will be visiting several of these companies around the country to review their National Content Plans.

Delly Bagu reports:

21.01.2013

Source: ESBC

2013 Trading Calendars online now!

  Click here !  

21.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Students in Bougainville to pay school fees

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

STUDENTS attending high, secondary and vocational schools in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville will pay school fees this year.

Chief Executive Officer of the division of education in Bougainville Bruno Babato said this despite the annoucements by the National Government to continue its fee-free tuition and tuition subsidy policy in 2013.

Mr Babato said the Bougainville Education Board (BEB) had approved the school fee limits for schools because tuition fee-free funds paid by the National Government could not adequately cater for boarding and running costs of the schools.

Therefore, he said schools should collect the fees as approved by BEB.

Mr Babato said although parents of children attending elementary prep to grade eight would not be paying any school fees, they are still required to contribute to the project component of the subsidy by meeting the remaining 80 percent through the payment of project fees.

However, he said, these schools and their school boards did not have authority to charge parents project fees without BEB’s approval.

“Once approval has been granted by BEB to schools to charge project fees, parents must pay those project fees to assist schools with infrastructure developments,” Mr Babato said.

Below is the approved school fee limits set by BEB. School Level National Education Board Maximum Fee Limits; Government Contribution (per child), BEB Maximum Fee Limits and Parental Contribution (per child).

Elementary Prep, E1, E2 - K100 , K100, Nil, Nil ; Primary grades 3-8: K270, K270 , Nil , Nil.

High school/lower secondary (Day): K900, K900, K100, Nil.

High school/lower secondary (Boarding): K1500, K1500,K200, Nil. 

Upper secondary (Day) K990, K743, K347, K247.

Upper secondary (Boarding): K1500, K1125, K100, K375.

Vocational (Day) K900, K675,K100, K225.

Vocational (Boarding): K1300, K975, K200, K325. 

The Government, as announced by the Education Department, will pay tuition fees for students in elementary right up to grade 12.

21.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Promote teachers on merit 

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

SOME frustrated teachers in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville are calling on the Bougainville Education Board (BEB) and the Bougainville Division of Education to properly screen teachers before posting them to any school in the region.

This is to ensure that the best, capable and committed ones are allocated positions, and not those that are never committed in effectively and efficiently carrying out their duties and responsibilities.

These concerned teachers had decided to voice their frustrations after seeing that the Education Division, especially the selection panel in-charge of the selection process, had never been strict in screening the performances of teacher before posting them.

They said the selection panel has always failed in selecting the right teachers for each school, claiming that those uncommitted and poor-performing teachers have always secured a position or have retained their tenure while the committed ones are overlooked in either promotional or tenure positions.

They added that there were also cases where new graduates have been given level 3 positions (senior positions). 

They said the appointment of uncommitted and underperforming teachers will greatly affect the students’ learning.

However, chief executive officer of the Education Division in Bougainville, Bruno Babato, when replying to these frustrated teachers’ complaints, said postings for primary schools are done by their respective government and church agencies before given to BEB for approval.

He said postings for high schools and secondary schools are done by each school’s respective board before presenting to BEB for approval.

Meanwhile, Mr Babato is warning all teachers to effectively perform their duties. He said there are now many teachers in Bougainville and warned that those who do not perform will be placed in pool.

He said those uncommitted teachers were always lucky to be given a position in the past.

21.01.2013

Source: ESBC

Danish recyling firm eyes PNG used tyres 

DANISH company Eldan Recycling is preparing to deliver a complete plant to Papua New Guinea for converting all kinds of tyres – including truck and huge mining tyres – into rubber granulate.

This recycling plant is designed to process all kinds of tyres including truck tyres and huge mining tyres that can have a size bigger than four meters and a weight over several tonnes each.

Dubbing it a “really exciting project”, Eldan estimates production will average four tonnes per hour, yielding a 0.4mm rubber granulate that is 99.9% free of textiles and steel.

“Papua New Guinea is not a big market, but nevertheless they need durable recycling equipment,” Dr Toni Reftman, Eldan’s managing director, said.

“We are very proud to have been chosen for this project that shows our capacity to meet customer requirements on all continents.”

Full-scale production will start in the next couple of months and an installation team is currently in the process of getting the production line ready, according to Dr Reftman.

The set-up will ultimately include various items of recycling equipment manufactured at Eldan Recycling’s production facility in Denmark.

Since 1956, Eldan Recycling has been a leader in the on-going technical development of machinery and methods of making the recycling of for example tyres, cables and WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) an efficient and profitable business.

ESBC comments: This might be interesting for Bougainville Copper and the people in Panguna as well.

20.01.2013

Source:Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LERA MEETS HANAHAN

By Aloysius Laukai

Regional member for Bougainville, JOE LERA (pictured)  today visited the people of Hanahan (map below), his 31st meeting with the people throughout Bougainville since his election to parliament last year.

He said politics is people so as a politician he has to serve the people of Bougainville.

Mr. Lera said he would like to explain to the people of Bougainville his five years development plan to bring Bougainville to Referendum and independence.

He would like to hold six meetings throughout Bougainville every year two for each region.one meeting at the first quater of each year.

The meeting will be co-chaired by the Regional, member and the ABG President.

He said that the first meeting for North Bougainville will be held at HANGAN village in April,2013

20.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG BUDGET PRESENTED

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG can now implement the 2013 ABG Budget after it was approved by the Minister for Finance and Treasury today.

This is the ABG’s biggest budget since the establishment of the Autonomous Bougainville Government in 2005.

New Dawn FM this afternoon received Reports from Port Moresby that the approval was made just before midday this morning.

The ABG minister for Finance, Treasury and Planning, MR. PUNGHAU told the Buin meeting last week that all sectors of the Bougainville community have been allocated a slice from this year’s budget.

The Minister will return to Buka tomorrow.

20.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

VETERANS MOVING

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG member for South Bougainville Ex-combatants MICHAEL LAITO has called on the South Bougainville Ex-combatants to dispose all weapons of destructions in South Bougainville before 2015.

He said with the work they are doing in South Bougainville he is very confident that the Ex combatants can now disarm themselves to make South Bougainville a place where men, women and children can move around freely.

MR. LAITA made these comments in Buin last week.

He thanked the ex-combatants for honoring their commitment to create peace in South Bougainville.

MR. LAITA said that the ABG has recognized their efforts and has allocated THREE MILLION KINA to the work of Veterans Association in this year’s ABG Budget.

20.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BOUGAINVILLE LAWYER SAYS CEO'S NEED TO MOVE

By Aloysius Laukai

A Bougainville Lawyer JOEL NAVA says that, Of all the National Government powers and functions that were transferred to the ABG in February 2011, the majority of the powers were those that were previously exercised by the National Departmental Heads and Heads of State Agencies. These powers are now vested on the CEO’s of the ABG to be exercised by them.

For example, certain powers that were once exercised by the Secretary for Department of Education are now vested on the CEO- ABG –Education to be exercised. Likewise, the powers that were previously being exercised by the Secretary for National Health Department are now vested on the CEO-AROB-Health to be exercised.

After the powers were transferred to the AROB, certain National Government Departments ran various workshops to train the CEO’s and their officers in order to equip them on how best they can exercise the powers.

However, from some observations, certain CEOs who were given the National Government powers to exercise, are not exercising some of the powers . Instead, some of these CEOs still write to their respective National Heads of Departments to exercise the powers.

It raises a concern whether those CEOs in Bougainville really understand all the powers that they are currently vested with. If not, then CEOs need to revisit the signed MOUs and study carefully all those National Government powers and identify what they are. Only if they go through the signed MOUs, they will understand what powers they were given to them in 2011.

Otherwise, these CEOs will keep referring back to the National Departments to exercise those powers. If that trend continues, then the Autonomy implementation in Bougainville will be very slow and Bougainville may be treated as a province of PNG and not as an Autonomous Region.

In the Education sector, the power to register and approve a new school in Bougainville used to be with the National Secretary for Education Of Education. This power has now been transferred to the CEO-Education in Bougainville to be exercised by him.

Therefore, it would be unlawful for the CEO-Education Division to refer to the National Department of Education Secretary to continue to exercise that power. One way in which CEO ‘s can effectively exercise powers given to them by theirNational counterparts is to establish sub- committees within their Divisions , who will perform the CEOs functions more effectively on behalf of the CEO.

CEOs should also need to seek legal advice from lawyers from the Law and Justice Division as well as from those in Waigani to ensure what they are doing is consistent with the laws.

In exercising the powers, the National laws will continue to apply in Bougainville and CEOs need to consult them regularly. Until Bougainville enacts its own Bougainville Laws, then the National laws will cease to apply in Bougainville.

New Dawn FM understands that the ABG will enact first laws on Education,Mining and Physical Planning in its March session of Parliament.

20.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LERA DISTRIBUTES NON DISCRETIONARY

By Aloysius Laukai

The Bougainville Regional member, JOE LERA has distribute his share of the Non discretionary funds totaling TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND KINA on education projects on Bougainville.

These are from his 2012 allocation.

According to a report from his office, the IT centre in Kubu has received ONE HUNDREDE THOUSAND KINA.

He has budgeted for two seminars to be held this year a total of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND KINA.

• GOTANA Primary School in Torokina has received FIFTEEN THOUSAND KINA.
• INDEPENDENT FELLOWSHIP sponsor THIRTY THOUSAND KINA
• HUTJENA SECONDARY SCHOOL Bore water THIRTY THREE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED KINA.
• RENOVATION of one doctor’s house in Arawa TWENTY THOUSAND KINA.
• BANA District Communication and cabling SIX THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED KINA
• BANA HIGH SCHOOL BIO GAS PROJECT TEN THOUSAND KINA
• And MERI SAFE HOUES IN Buka TEN THOUSAND KINA

 The Provincial Support Grant Committee last week sat and approved these projects for immediate implementation.

20.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PNG WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY SAYS LAWYER

 By Aloysius Laukai

A Bougainville Lawyer says that the outcome of referendum would not be final until the Papua New Guinea’s 111 members decide it in parliament.

Lawyer JOEL NAVA made these comments on the New Dawn FM site from Port Moresby today that Bougainvilleans need to understand this.

 He said even 87 percent of Bougainvilleans vote for independence, that is not final, really Bougainvilleans political future will be determined not by Bougainvilleans, but by the 111 national parliamentarians all non Bougainvilleans except our four national members.

 Lawyer NAVA said that was the reason why ex combatants wanted the review of the Bougainville Peace Agreement so that Bougainvilleans themselves will decide their own political destiny.

20.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PUNGHAU ON GOVERNMENTS

By Aloysius Laukai

Only one government of Bougainville will take the people of Bougainville to referendum in 2015 and that is the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

These are the exact words from the ABG minister for Finance, Treasury and Planning, ALBERT PUNGHAU (pictured).

He told the meeting that all factions in Bougainville must join the ABG as the island was gearing up for referendum on a date to set by the current ABG house in collaboration with the National government.

The Finance Minister said that ABG was the only government for Bougainville that would take the people to referendum and beyond.

He told the people of South Bougainville that the ABG was the government for the Me’ekamui, the Uvistract and all factions throughout the region.

MR. PUNGHAU appealed to these groups to work with the ABG to prepare Bougainville for referendum.

The Finance Minister assured all sections of the community, Ex combatants, Youths and Constituencies that all of them have been accommodated in the 2013 ABG Budget.

20.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

FAMILY VIOLENCE ON THE RISE

By Aloysius Laukai

Family violence is slowly killing the fabric of family on Bougainville according to the Bougainville Police Service.

Senior Constable Florence Nohu from the Prosecution section of the Police Service told New Dawn FM that Police are very concerned at the increase in family violence throughout Bougainville.

Senior Constable Florence also heads the family help desk within the Police Service was talking on New Dawn FM’s Women’s Programme.

She said that there was increase in sexual violence, incest and rape within families that the society must address.

Senior Constable Florence Nohu said that in many cases they have ordered Interim Protection Orders to further protect abuse by family members.

She also announced the Family Help desk that was created three years ago which assists families with problem.

Senior Constable Florence said that the help desk has been assisting with advice and counseling of young girls and mothers and children.

She said that men are also welcomed to see them for assistance.

19.01.2013

Source: Mekamui

PANAM VILLAGE

Story by Dan

A woman came forward and adorned us with handmade neck dresses as we formed a single line between two lines of village people singing and playing their beautiful bamboo windpipes.

We where guided into the welcoming wind house, a traditional hut made of bamboo, sago and other local plants. Here introductions where made first by the chiefs and elders and then by our party consisting of eco tourism operators and representatives from Arawa learning of Thomas and families project called ‘Welcome to Alewora” and help to network it with the other eco tourism initiatives in the Central Bougainville districts of Keita and Nagovis.

I ducked and weaved as I negotiated the slippery muddy ground and avoided the slicing potential of the bush knifes in hands of drunken men (local home brew spirit from coconut) slipping and running around chopping at the ground as they yelled with joy and satisfaction. Next came the battle of the beats with the big hollow log drums type instruments. This was a cultural battle of traditional communication beats than formed a battle with a winner and a loser.  It was very interesting as I could not work out the winners from the losers but everyone else seemed to understand perfectly.  Daylight had broken now and it was time for the pigs. Representatives of the Singsing groups took their mobile music parade over to the pigs playing there pipes until they finished in front of the pigs and proceeded to chop up there bamboo instruments with their machetes’ or bush knives.

Now I understood why they had been dancing and playing all night with bamboo pipe in one hand and bush knife in the other. The strongest men pulled the pigs out of there bamboo fence enclosure tied a rope to the pigs back leg and walked them off to the village they would be slaughtered at for lunch and dinner that day. The pig is traditionally cooked in bamboo with herbs over the fire. This makes the meat very soft and nice as the water within the bamboo steams the meat.  I felt very fortunate to have the Panam village people share their pig with me.

19.01.2013

Source: Mekamui

“ALEWORA” PANAM VILLAGE, NAGOVIS

by mekamui

Clive, little Clive and I rested the next day and enjoyed the beautiful gardens and setup at Panam. At night the generator was switched on as people converged to watch the Eel films by Clive Porabou. People agreed in solidarity with the no more mining message. The following day Thomas and the boys took us to the waterfalls and the Pangara River.

 They had told us about the waterfalls but I had no idea what I was about see.  It was up to an hour’s walk down the track and we came to another beautiful village of which Thomas was Chief. It had the same style of beautiful labyrinth gardens with coconut husk raised beds.

 It flowed from the main pond into a steep crevice of deep pools. The kids excitedly jumped in the main pool and attempted to swim against the flowing force of the waterfall radiating out into the pool. The older boys jumped in and managed to get under the falling water and then clamber up the almost vertical rock face defying gravity as they got into a position many metres above to jump back down into the deep pool.

I jumped in and had a go as one of the boys helped me up the steep slippery rock face. Without his help I would not have climbed up there on my own, but the jump back down into the pool was a real buzz. After swimming and playing a while we walked down to where Thomas would meet us, past many food gardens to the Pangara River.  The Panagara River is the second largest river in Bougainville as it flows up from the South.

19.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BSS is Buin Secondary School

By Aloysius Laukai

Despite the debate on the facelift of the Buin secondary school in South Bougainville work is progressing well and it could cost more than anticipated due to the freight and other associated costs.

Whilst in Buin last week NDFM managed to make an independent assesment of the work at the school.

We saw that because of the state of the buildings at the school the work could be more than originaly anticipated.

Some of the teachers houses are not fit for human occupation and the contractor Bougainville Engineering Limited has changed all walling to colorbone for durability as it could take the next ten years before the next maintenance.

We will show you some pictures of the work at the school:

still under construction

Two classrooms

Roofs needs repair

boys dormitories

Teachers' house

18.01.2013

Source: ESBC Research

Original BCL Shares newly-detected!

Since many years the European Shareholders have been hunting for pictures of hardcopy shares of Bouganiville Copper Limited (BCL). Today, an unexpected email reached the ESBC.It contained two copies of the original Bougainville Copper shares (pictured).They are supposed to value still the amount of shares indicated. Nevertheless: Since BCL decided to issue virtual shares only, these shares have to be considered as collectible items. Unfortunately BCL shares are not as attractive as some classical shares issued by big companies in the beginning 20th century. But, for people who entertain friendly relations to Bougainville, these shares might represent a special nostalgic value as a  souvenir of better days. Now it's up to Bougainvilleans to make these better days come back again!

18.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

ABG president warns investors to follow policies 

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

AUTONOMOUS Bougainville Government President Chief Dr John Momis is warning all foreign investors to conduct their business in Bougainville to follow the policies set by the ABG.

Mr Momis added that though foreigners are welcomed to conduct their business in Bougainville, they should first seek approval from the Division of Commerce and Trade in Buka. 

Mr Momis said foreigners should be concentrating on large scale activities like wholesaling. 

He said small businesses like retailing and trade stores should only be owned and operated by Bougainvilleans.

However, many trade stores are owned and operated by foreigners, especially of Asian origin. 

He said this policy had already been breached but did not elaborate further on what stand the government will take on those who have not followed this policy. 

President Momis also stressed on partnership business operation.

18.01.2013

Source: The National

ABG on target with transition rate for students under education plan 

THE Autonomous Region of Bougainville is on track with its planned quotas in relation to the transition rate for students under the Bougainville education plan 2007-16, Bruno Babato says.

Babato, chief executive officer for education, said this yesterday when giving details of selections in the region.

He said 3,436 Grade 8 students sat for the annual Grade 8 certificate of basic education (COBE) examinations.

“Of that number, 1,997 have been selected to do Grade 9 in our 12 high/secondary schools in the region,” he said.

He said that was 58% of the total number of students who sat for the examinations.

“Bougainville is on track with the planned quota of 55% transition rate according to the Bougainville education plan 2007-16.”

He said 1,757 Grade 10 students sat for the Grade 10 national examination last year.

“Of that number, 497 were selected to continue onto Grade 11 in four of our secondary schools in the region.”

18.01.2013

Source: The National

Bougainville okays school fee limits 

ALTHOUGH the free tuition fee policy will be implemented again this year, the Bougainville education board (BEB) has approved 2013 school fee limits for all schools in the region.

Education chief executive officer Bruno Babato said yesterday the prescribed maximum fee limits had been approved because the tuition fee free funds paid by the national government could not adequately cater for boarding and running costs of schools.

“Additionally, the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) does not pay its provincial component of boarding subsidy to our schools to support with operational costs,” he said.

“Schools should collect these approved fees as approved by the board at the start of the academic year.”

Babato said with regards to tuition fee free funds last year, schools in Bougainville shared experiences of receiving the first and second payments late which caused great inconvenience for schools as they were struggling with running costs.

“Some schools ended the 2012 school year without receiving their second payments, which have since arrived and have now been deposited into the school accounts.”

Babato said these approved fees were non-refundable on receipt of the national subsidy.

“When parents pay the BEB component, they will not get their fees refunded when the national government pays its component.”

He clarified although parents of children in elementary prep to Grade 8 would not be paying any fees, they were required to contribute to the project component of the subsidy by meeting the remaining 80% through the payment of project fees.

“Education is a shared responsibility so parents are obliged to support the schools in other areas that the burden of paying fees has been taken off their shoulders.”

The approved fee limits are:

• Elementary Prep: NEB maximum fee limit K100;
• Primary Grade 3-8: NEB maximum fee limit K270;
• High school/lower secondary (day): NEB maximum fee limits K900, BEB maximum fee limits K100;
• High school/lower (boarding): NEB maximum fee limits K1,500, BEB maximum fee limit K200;
• Upper secondary (day): NEB maximum fee limit K990, government contribution K743, BEB maximum fee limits K347, parent contribution K247;
• Upper secondary (boarding): NEB maximum fee limit K1,500, government contribution K1,125, BEB maximum fee limit K100, parent contribution K375;
• Vocational (day): NEB maximum fee limit K900, government contribution K675, BEB maximum fee limits K100, parent contribution K225; and,
• Vocational (boarding): NEB maximum fee limit K1,300, government contribution K975, BEB maximum fee limit K200, parent contribution K325.

Babato welcomed teachers and students to the 2013 school year which starts in two weeks.

He appealed for total commitment and dedication from partners and relevant stakeholders to continue to support schools and work cooperatively to ensure quality education services were provided.

17.01.2013

Source: Reuters

Reuters' Breakingviews: Rio's Rushed Reshuffle

17.01.2013

Source: ESBC

Rio Tinto

Tom Albanese: Sacked!

New  CEO: Sam Walsh!

Sam Walsh

Appointment: Director of Rio Tinto since 2009 and chief executive, Iron Ore and Australia.

Skills and experience: Sam joined Rio Tinto in 1991, following 20 years in the automotive industry at General Motors and Nissan Australia. He has held a number of management positions within the Group, including from 2001 to 2004 chief executive of the Aluminium group and since 2004 chief executive of the Iron Ore group. Sam is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In June 2010, Sam was appointed an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia. 

Sam Walsh was appointed chief executive in January 2013.

External appointments (current and recent): Director of Seven West Media Limited since 2008.

The new chief executive Sam Walsh said "I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead this wonderful business.  I have great respect for Tom and the many positive attributes he brought to the role and I am grateful for the experience of working closely with him over many years.  I will be working flat out to build an even stronger, more valuable Rio Tinto business for shareholders and for our many other stakeholders."

17.01.2013

Source: The Telegraph

Sam Walsh, new Rio Tinto chief executive

Sam Walsh breaks all the mining stereotypes. He's a cultured man who loves collecting antique milk jugs. 

Sam Walsh, who is currently iron ore chief executive at Rio Tinto, will take over as chief executive of the group after Tom Albanese stepped down by mutual consent. Photo: Theo Fakos

Sam Walsh, who is replacing Tom Albanese as chief executive of mining giant Rio Tinto, has an unusual hobby for a man working in one of the most macho industries around. When he’s not up to his eyes in rust coloured dust in the wilds of the Australian desert, he is an avid collector of antique milk jugs, owning more than 350. 

“I just about have a heart attack when someone sort of swings it around the table without realising it’s 400 years old, or 2,000 years old,” Mr Walsh told the Australian Financial Review in a recent interview. “I jokingly say 2,000, but I do actually have one that is that old.” 

Shattering the stereotypical image of miners as beer swilling, boorish unsophisticates, Mr Walsh actively embraces the arts. He is currently chairman of the West Australian chapter of the Australia Business Arts Foundation, the Chamber of Arts and Culture and the Black Swan State Theatre Company. Production are regularly taken to Western Australia to entertain Rio’s miners. 

“Every performance we take to the Pilbara is a sellout, whether it’s a Black Swan show or a string quartet from Musica Viva,” he says. 

Mr Walsh runs the unit that generates almost 70pc of the company’s operating profit and is the main growth driver of the mining powerhouse as China sucks up the building blocks of steel. 

He joined Rio Tinto in 1991, following 20 years in the automotive industry at General Motors and Nissan Australia. He has held a number of management positions within the group, including from 2001 to 2004 chief executive of the aluminium business 

Regarded as an approachable and avuncular man, Mr Walsh is well liked and respected in the mining industry. He is the logical replacement for Mr Albanese, who is stepping down after the miner was forced write down $14bn (£9bn) of assets. 

Since being appointed as chief executive of Rio’s iron ore operations in 2004, the miner’s largest division, Mr Walsh has presided over a massive expansion of its iron ore business and help fend of unwelcome merger advances from BHP Billiton in 2007. 

BHP coveted the infrastructure Rio had built up surrounding its iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, as miners grappled with soaring staffing costs as the mining boom progressed. 

“People think of miners as people with pick-axes and shovels, but that is no longer the case,” he said in a recent interview. “It is a very sophisticated, high-tech business.” 

Mr Walsh was responsible for the introduction of 150 driverless trucks in the Pilbara, which are controlled from an operating centre in Perth, as well as the planned automation of its railway system. 

The world's third-largest miner appears to be in safe hands. 

17.01.2013

Source: N-TV

Nach Milliardenabschreibung

Rio Tinto feuert Konzernchef

Eine Abschreibung von 14 Milliarden US-Dollar lässt Rio Tinto die Reißleine ziehen. Der australische Bergbaugigant wechselt den Chef aus - Sam Walsh kommt für Tom Albanese. Albaneses wichtigste Zukäufe zwingt den Konzern zu den Wertberichtigungen.

Der weltweit zweitgrößte Eisenerzproduzent Rio Tinto nimmt überraschend Abschreibungen in Höhe von 14 Milliarden US-Dollar vor und tauscht den Konzernchef aus. Tom Albanese, der seit 2007 an der Spitze des Konzerns stand, werde von Sam Walsh abgelöst, teilte das Unternehmen mit. Die gigantischen Wertberichtigungen stehen im Zusammenhang mit Albaneses zwei wichtigsten Zukäufen.

Albanese hatte bisher die Folgen des 38-Milliarden-Dollar-Kaufs des Aluminiumherstellers Alcan aus dem Jahr 2007 weitgehend unbeschadet überstanden. Rio Tinto stand damals unter Druck, sich durch Akquisitionen zu vergrößern oder selbst geschluckt zu werden. Doch die Milliardenfusion erwies sich als Problem für die Australier, die jahrelang Verluste in der Aluminiumsparte anhäuften und bereits im vergangenen Jahr 8,9 Milliarden Dollar abschreiben mussten.

Der größte Teil der Geschäfte in Australien und Neuseeland steht zum Verkauf, trifft aber auf wenig Interesse bei möglichen Käufern. Nun sollen weitere zehn bis elf Milliarden Dollar im Aluminium-Geschäft abgeschrieben werden.

"Wir sind sehr enttäuscht"

Auch die Übernahme des Kohlebergbauunternehmens Riversdale 2011, das überwiegend im afrikanischen Mosambik aktiv ist, macht dem Unternehmen zu schaffen. Hier würden drei Milliarden Dollar abgeschrieben, zudem verlässt auch Doug Ritchie, der für den Zukauf verantwortlich war, das Unternehmen. "Das Direktorium von Rio Tinto ist sich voll dessen bewusst, dass eine Abschreibung in dieser Größenordnung in Verbindung mit dem relativ jungen Zukauf in Mosambik inakzeptabel ist", erklärte der Direktoriumsvorsitzende Jan du Plessis. "Wir sind zudem sehr enttäuscht von den weiteren großen Abschreibungen im Aluminium-Geschäft."

Rio Tinto rechnet zudem mit weiteren kleineren Abschreibungen in der Größenordnung von etwa 500 Millionen Dollar. Details will das Unternehmen mit seinen Geschäftszahlen am 14. Februar veröffentlichen.

17.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Claims of BCL shares being manipulated

THE European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper officially claim there is an ongoing fraudulent market manipulation scheme in the Bougainville Copper Limited shares.

Head of ESBC Axel G. Sturm has officially written to Marquet International to extend their research data base by adding Bougainville Copper Limited on their list. This equity is listed at the Australian Securities Exchange Sydney (BOC), New York and in Frankfurt. 

Marquet International is one of the world’s renowned companies that provide services in Professional Investigations, Litigation Support, Due Diligence and Security Consulting Services and offer timely intelligence and analysis that allows their clients to assess strategic opportunities and mitigate corporate risks.

“Currently BOC shares face major share price manipulation that is supposedly originating in the United States of America,” Mr Sturm said. 

J.P. Morgan Nominees Australia, a subsidiary of J.P.Morgan and Citicorp Nominees both based in New York City are holding approximately 15% of BOC shares in custody. As both companies were also involved in an unauthorised ADR Scheme a couple of years ago, they might also now be responsible for un-authorized lending of shares which they hold in custody,” he stated in his letter.

“Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL/BOC) is one of the biggest copper, gold, silver and molybdenum assets of the world, situated on the Bougainville (PNG). The operations were shut down in 1989 due to local unrest related to Bougainville’s struggle for independence. Our company is a subsidiary of Rio Tinto (54%), co-owner is the state of Papua New Guinea (19%). Only 27% of the remaining BOC shares are in free-float! This makes it easier to influence the share price and makes BOC shares even more vulnerable to fraudulent manipulation. This is what happens today,” he said.

“Although the Australian Securities Exchange repeatedly had been alerted by the ESBC to stop fraudulent trading practices in BOC shares, they do not appear to be interested to provide correct business at the ASX,” he said. As the European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper (ESBC) are only a small group of private investors (we own approximately 4%), we do not have a lot of means to fight against these fraudulent practices.”

The letter comes amidst the crucial time when Bougainville leaders led by President John Momis are now in the forefront to lead the negotiations again for the re-opening of the Panguna Mine.

Meanwhile, ESBC provided the paper with the list of Top 100 shareholders of BCL – which includes Rio Tinto Limited with 211,774,646 (52.80 %) shares and the Independent State of PNG with 76,430,809 (19.06 %).

Others include companies like JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited, Citicorp Nominees Australia, National Nominees Ltd, Rio Tinto Base Metals Pty Ltd, HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Ltd, Persing Australia Nominees Pty Ltd, Westco Nominees Ltd, ABN AMRO Clearing Sydney Nominees Pty Ltd and the Noble Hope for Construction to name a few. The list also includes individuals and their families who are listed in the top 100 shareholders list.

17.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Buka islanders stop homebrew activities 

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE Solos people from the Peit constituency on Buka Island have always been seen by many Bougainvilleans as the main supplier of locally-brewed alcohol on the streets of Buka town.

Even mothers from the area have also been involved in these illegal business dealings by selling homebrew along with their garden produce at the Buka market.

However, this illegal activity, which many perceive as the doings of the Solos people, will soon be a thing of the past.

This is because the Solos people are already fed up of these alcohol-brewing activities and have decided to destroy all the kits, drums, kettles and empty gas cylinders that they have been using to produce homebrew.

The people of Bekut and Barikua villages were the first to kick-start this exercise by destroying the equipment that they have been using to brew alcohol. 

A ceremony which was held last week saw the villagers converging at Bekut village to surrender the homebrew-making cylinders to representatives from the Bougainville police and correctional service. 

Speaking during the ceremony, former combatants’ spokesperson Michael Jimmy Karolo said it was now time to get tough on illegal brewers for the good of the whole community. 

He warned that anyone caught brewing, selling or consuming homebrew would be handed over to police by the village law enforcers.

He extended the warning to beer consumers that even though beer was legal, drinking in public and creating nuisance such as playing loud music and disturbing the peace are criminal offences and those caught committing them would be dealt with accordingly. 

Mr Karolo’s views were supported by the other community leaders from the area.

Women’s representatives Rani Karolo also supported the decision taken to destroy these brewing equipment. 

She then urged all women from the two villagers to unite and work with her to combat lawlessness in their respective communities.

She also thanked police and former combatants for working together during the festive season, saying this was the first ever peaceful Christmas and New Year period ever enjoyed in the Solos area. 

Buka Police Station Commander Sergeant Emmart Tsimes praised the people of Solos for striving hard to remove the negative impression of the public in Bougainville.

He said many have always classified the Solos people as trouble makers. 

He then urged them not to engage in illegal activities including alcohol in their villages anymore in future. 

CS Commander Inspector Dominic Tsarah also shared similar sentiments.

17.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Boat operators urged to observe maritime laws

By FABIAN GATANA

THE Bougainville Disaster office has issued a stern warning to all small crafts operating in and around Bougainville waters to comply with maritime laws and the Small Crafts Act or face prosecution.

The warning was issued after a boat incident over the weekend between Buka and Nissan Island with almost tragic consequences. 

Bougainville Disaster Coordinator Franklyn Lacey said a 23ft outboard motor dinghy travelling towards Nissan Island was carrying drunken passengers, who had been drinking the night before and were heavily intoxicated.

The dinghy was also believed to be overloaded when the incident happened. Mr Lacey said the boat stopped over at Pororan Island where the drunken passengers purchased more alcohol before continuing their journey. He said from about 13 kilometres, out the boat started taking in water as a result of overloading, coupled with strong winds and bad weather from which the boat became submerged in the water and the passengers had to bail out the water.

He said after removing water from the boat they continued on their way, arriving at Nissan Island at four in the afternoon. 

Mr Lacey said this is the second boat incident in two weeks and boat owners must take heed of all warnings being issued by the Bougainville Disaster office and also to comply with regulations about operating small crafts, including being fitted with necessary safety equipment.

He said drinking and overloading small crafts are punishable by law and boat owners and operators must always be mindful of this.

17.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Disaster office installs VHF radio in Bougainville’s remote areas

By FABIAN GATANA

THE Bougainville Disaster office under its Early Warning Program is currently rolling out its VHF radio project throughout vulnerable areas in the region.

Bougainville Disaster Co-ordinator Franklyn Lacey said that under the project eight VHF radios had been installed by contractor TE PNG throughout the outlying Atolls. This includes Nissan and the Carterets Islands and also for the Education Department, District Services office and the Bougainville Disaster Office.

Mr Lacey said in addition, 10 HF radios would also be installed in the more isolated areas that are prone to disasters and the smaller islands close to mainland Bougainville and Buka. 

He also added that this year would also see the establishment of the new disaster office to be built near the ABG parliament which will house the National Disaster and Emergency Services office (NDES), National Weather office and tsunami warning and detection systems.

Mr Lacey said the new disaster office should be completed later this year.

17.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Correctional Service officer found dead in Buka

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

A CORRECTIONAL service officer was found dead in the early hours of Saturday in Buka.

The deceased, identified by police as David Sawa Gerio from Noupan village in the Solos area of Peit constituency of Buka, was found dead on the road near his village between 3-4am on Saturday.

Buka police station commander Sergeant Emmart Tsimes when confirming the incident yesterday said the late CS officer Gerio’s death was first thought to be traffic-related. Sergeant Tsimes said they later received unconfirmed reports that the deceased may have been murdered and later left on the road, adding that the incident was alcohol-related.

Mr Tsimes said the situation in the area was still tense because the deceased’s relatives were very angry about the death of Gerio.

As a result, Mr Tsimes has been constantly communicating with the relatives and urging them not to take the law into their hands but allow police to continue with their investigations. 

He said police are continuing with their investigations to determine the cause of death.

The late CS officer Gerio, believed to be in his early 30s, passed out from the Bomana CS Training College in 2010 and was based in the East Sepik Province. 

Late Gerio was on compassionate leave but was assisting at the Bekut jail in the Peit constituency when he died.

The deceased had told this reporter about a week ago that he would be travelling back to Wewak sometimes next month or March.

17.01.2013

Source: The National

Momis wants locals to run retail businesses on Bougainville 

AUTONOMOUS Region of Bougainville Government president John Momis yesterday warned foreign business operators to follow its investment policy guidelines that prohibit stand-alone foreign

businesses.

He said all retailing businesses in the region were restricted to locals.

The ABG was working on an investment policy that would be enacted at the March session of its parliament.

Any operator who does not adhere to the policy will be asked to leave.

Momis said Bougainville wanted to see credible investors to partner locals to operate wholesale companies, supermarkets and other highly technical operations.

He said Bougainville wanted a level playground were locals could compete and not see big foreign companies come in to manipulate and “kill” small operators.

All investors should go through the division of commerce and trade to screen applications for trade and investment on Bougainville.

The investment guideline booklet has listed businesses that are exclusive to locals.

On the question of some Chinese businessmen claiming to be invited by Momis, he said he wanted foreign investors to stick to the policy.

Regarding foreigners operating retail shops because they were married to Bougainvilleans, Momis said they had to be living on the island for some years before starting any business.

Bougainville wanted to see locals given the opportunity to enter into business, the president said, and not what was happening in the rest of PNG where foreigners were taking

over completely.

When the Panguna mine is reopens, BCL or any developer will be asked to concentrate on mining and leave the spin-off businesses to locals.

Momis said plans were being made to ensure that Bougainville produced its own meat, chicken, fish, fruits and vegetables to sell to the mining company.

He said he had been fighting for this over the years to empower the grassroots to be participants in the development of Papua New Guinea.

17.01.2013

Source: The National

Momis: Are we ready? 

By ALOYSIUS LAUKAI 

AUOTONOMOUS Bougainville Government President John Momis has warned Bougainvilleans to make sure they accept the outcome of the referendum when the vote is taken.

Momis was speaking at Buin market, in South Bougainville, last Saturday.

He said the people must make sure Bougainville was ready for the referendum on independence when the time came.

He said that Bougainvilleans were privileged to have such a unique opportunity to decide their future but they were required to clear other outstanding issues to get a good result that would be accepted by all.

Momis said weapons disposal and good governance were issues that the people must address to see a good outcome of the referendum.

He said although good governance and weapons disposal would not stop the referendum, they could create doubt on the result, making it difficult for the national government to ratify the result.

He called on all Bougainvilleans to make sure they were fully aware that they owned the peace process and had no outsider to blame if the referendum failed.

Momis has been carrying out similar awareness campaigns in many areas of Bougainville to drive the message across to the people on the progress of the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the overall peace process so that the people are aware of what’s ahead of them.

Under the Bougainville Peace Agreement signed on Aug 30, 2001, Bougainville has to have good governance, physical self-reliance, remove all weapons and has to conduct the referendum between 2015 and 2020.

It is believed the ABG will set the date for the referendum in consultation with the national government.

17.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

MOMIS WARNS FOREIGN RETAILERS

By Aloysius Laukai

ABG President, DR. JOHN MOMIS today warned foreign business operators on Bougainville to follow the Bougainville Investment policy guideline that states that Bougainville wants to see NO STAND ALONE Foreign Business.

He told NEW DAWN FM this morning that all retailing business in the region were restricted for locals only.

President MOMIS said that the ABG was working on the Investment policy that would be enacted at the March session of the ABG Parliament and any operators who do not adhere to the instructions would be asked to leave.

He said that Bougainville wants to see credible investors to partner with credible locals to operate wholesale companies, Supermarkets and other highly technical operations instead of retailing which are restricted Businesses to Bougainville.

He said Bougainville wants level playground were locals can compete and do not want big foreign companies to come and manipulate and kill small operators.

President Momis said that all investors must come through the Division of Commerce and Trade who screen all applications for Trade and Investments on Bougainville.

He said that the Bougainville Investment Guideline booklet has Businesses that are only restricted to locals and all operators must follow this policy.

On the question of some Chinese Businessmen claiming that they were invited by the President, DR. MOMIS said that he wants all foreign investors to see Bougainville’s Investment climate and stick to the Investment Policy and not to go into restricted only for locals.

President MOMIS also commented on some foreigners operating retail shops because the Bougainville Constitution clearly states that if you are married to a Bougainvillean you are an automatic citizen.

He said that this sections needs to be qualified by living on the island for some years before starting any business in the region.

President Momis said that Bougainville wants to see locals be given the opportunity to go into business and does not want to see what has happened in other areas in Papua New Guinea where foreigners have completely taken over at everything leaving the locals as bystanders.

DR. MOMIS says that even when the Panguna mine is opened, BCL or any developer would be asked to concentrate on mining and leave all other spin off businesses to the locals.

He said plans are also underway to make sure that Bougainville raise their own meat.chicken, fish and fruits and vegetables for sale to the company when the operation starts.

The President said that this is what he has been fighting for over the years to empower the grassroots to be participants in all developments in Papua New Guinea.

17.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS

By Aloysius Laukai

The Coordinator for Disaster and Emergency services on Bougainville, FRANKLYN LESSI says that his group would be carrying out Bougainville-wide awareness on climate change in the coming weeks.

He told New Dawn FM that many people are not aware of the need to take precautionary measures as the change in climate was creating a lot of problems to the world today.

MR. LESSI said he recently returned from a climate change workshop in Fiji and is planning to run several awareness programs throughout the region.

He said that the people need to understand the change in weather patterns and the rise in sea level which was affecting our islands.

MR. LESSI said that is why his office is installing communication equipments in these islands so that they can quickly any natural disasters affecting them out there.

17.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PATAKU ON AWARENESS

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG member for Ramu constituency, THOMAS PATAKU last week commended the ABG President, DR.JOHN MOMIS for going to the people and explaining the work of the ABG which he said was needed badly by the people.

MR. PATAKU was speaking at the meeting in Buin last Saturday.

He said the people of Bougainville need to know how and what their government was doing and the awareness in Buin was welcomed.

The member said the people need to know the good and also the difficulties the ABG was facing in the process of implementing the Bougainville Peace Agreement so that they can appreciate and work with their government.

He said that the Government needs to cover more areas with these awareness’s as Bougainville must educate its citizens to prepare for the coming referendum.

MR. PATAKU said that visiting the people was one sure way of connecting with the people of Bougainville.

17.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

DISASTER OFFICE IS BEING EQUIPED

By Aloysius Laukai

The Bougainville Disaster and Emergency office is being equipped with latest communication equipments so that they can communicate with the most vulnerable communities in the outer islands of Bougainville.

The Coordinator for the Disaster Office on Bougainville, FRANKLYN LESSI made this known to New Dawn FM after a group of technicians returned from the Caterets island over the weekend.

MR. LESSI said that the PNG National Disaster and Emergency office is installing eight vsats throughout the Autonomous Region to help with these communication equipments.

He said that these systems would be located at Education and Health and Primary Industry facilities throughout the region to make communications easier between the communities and these organizations.

MR. LESSI said that in the past communication with these locations were very difficult as making relaying reliable information of natural disasters and other activities needs to be communicated quickly to save lives.

16.01.2013

Source: The National

Bougainville speaker calls for unity 

THE speaker of the Bougainville House of Representatives has urged members to join hands and take ownership of the Bougainville peace process and drive it forward this year.

Speaker Andrew Miriki said only then could a full implementation of the Bougainville peace agreement be realised, paving the way for the region to hold the referendum on independence in 2015.

Miriki said the majority of parliamentarians had dropped their focus on the peace process and relied heavily on the administration to carry that responsibility while they opted to be involved in projects and programmes aimed at providing services for their people.

Miriki wants to see that trend reversed this year, with the administration once again allowed to perform its primary role of providing goods and services to the people.

Miriki believes when the parliamentarians are relieved of the responsibility of providing services, they can direct their substantial resources and influence at implementing some or all of the key elements of the peace process in their respective constituencies.

These include the reconciliation process, fully establishing peace and security on the ground, making autonomy work and preparing Bougainville for referendum.

Miriki warned there was not enough time left to complete

this massive task.

“Bougainville has less than two years to fully implement the peace process before the first opportunity to hold a referendum comes up in 2015,” he said.

He urged MPs to stay with their people and personally direct all activities to enable the region to meet this important target.

He called on MPs to establish their offices in their respective constituencies and operate from there.

16.01.2013

Source: The National

ABG calls on task force to investigate Resi issues 

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) education division is recommending the Task Force Sweep team investigate school projects that have benefited from the national government’s Rehabilitation Education Sector Infrastructure (Resi) programme.Chief executive officer Bruno Babato highlighted this when responding to Bougainville Engineering and Construction Ltd managing director, Michael Pakei on Resi funds for Buin Secondary School.Pakei last week said Babato’s report on funds for Buin Secondary School being misused was misleading.

Pakei said the original proposal of K7 million was submitted to National Planning and Monitoring Department in 2006 but when it was approved in 2010, they only received K2 million.

He said his company was awarded the contract to maintain and rehabilitate facilities at the school by the supply and tenders board.The scope of work was amended and covered a single staff duplex, three concrete slab buildings, four classrooms, one of which was converted to a computer laboratory, a two-storey girls dormitory with ablution block and two low set boys dormitories.Pakei said K4 million was released last November as variation to the contract.He said K3.6 million was released, with K400,000 being withheld until after the first progressive report was submitted to the national Department of Education.

Pakei said all work should be completed at the end of next month as all building materials were already in Buin.

But Babato said the Bougainville government’s education office was concerned whether it was

Resi funding. “To find the truth we are recommending that the Task Force Sweep Team investigates the Bougainville Engineering and Constructions Ltd, the departments of education, national planning and monitoring, and finance and treasury,” Babato said.He said K2 million was given out in the first contract in 2010 but according to Buin principal, Tony Malamo, the company was not providing progressive reports to the board of governors and the ABG division of education. “This company has negotiated two other contracts benefitting the community in Buin and for this reason the division of education and school has every right to know how this company is serving their interests,” Babato said.“Especially in this day and age when there are self-serving individuals and organisations in the country, including Bougainville.”

16.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

MOMIS ON REFERENDUM

By Aloysius Laukai

ABG President DR. JOHN MOMIS has warned Bougainvilleans to make sure that they accept the outcome of the referendum what ever it may be when the vote is taken on a date to be set by the current house.

He was speaking at the Buin market in South Bougainville last Saturday.

DR. MOMIS said that the people must make sure Bougainville is ready for the referendum when the time comes.

He said that Bougainvilleans are privileged of this unique opportunity to decide their future however they are required to clear other outstanding issues to get a good result that will be accepted by all.

The President said that Weapons Disposal and Good Governance were issues that the people must address to see a good outcome of the referendum.

He said although Good Governance and Weapons disposal would not stop the conduct of the referendum,it could create doubt on the result making it difficult for the National government to rectify the result. 

The ABG President called on all Bougainvilleans to make sure they are fully aware that they own the peace process and have no outsider to blame if the referendum fails.

16.01.2013

Source: PNG Attitude

Allegation of US market manipulation in BCL shares

by KEITH JACKSON

THE PRESIDENT OF THE European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper (ESBC),

And to back up his suspicions, Sturm has asked veteran corporate investigator and intelligence analyst, Christopher T Marquet, to add BCL shares trading to his sphere of interest.

“Currently [BCL] shares face major share price manipulation supposedly originating in the United States of America,” Sturm said, naming the US firms he believes are involved.

He said he believed the BCL share price could be as high as $3.20 if they were trading in a fair market. Yesterday the shares were trading at 60 cents.

“Although the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has repeatedly been alerted by the ESBC to stop fraudulent trading practices in BOC shares, they do not appear to be interested,” he said.

Sturm said that with only 27% of BCL shares in free-float (Rio Tinto have a 54% majority stake and the State of Papua New Guinea 19%), it is easier to influence the share price and makes the stock more vulnerable to fraudulent manipulation.

He said he believes these fraudulent practices involve traders in New York and Sydney.

“As the ESBC is only a small group of private investors (we own approximately 4%),” Sturm said, “we do not have a lot of means to fight against these fraudulent practices.

“Except one - we expose backdoor players and involved conmen on our homepage www.bougainville-copper.eu.

“Our homepage is the most complete anthology on BCL worldwide. It is also supposed to be the biggest information data base on a single company provided by investors for investors.”

15.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WINDS

By Aloysius Laukai in Buka

Bougainville has been experiencing heavy rains and strong winds since last Sunday.

And tonight just after 10 pm strong winds have increased with rains but it seems it could increase further tonight. We are just monitoring the situation and will report any changes to the weather.

15.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

SPEAKER CALL FOR MEMBERS

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG speaker for the House of Representatives, ANDREW MIRIKI (pictured) this week called on the ABG members to operate their constituency offices from their electorates this starting this year.

The Speaker said that a lot of the ABG members have dropped their focus on the peace process and are relying heavily on the Bougainville Administration to carry this responsibility whilst they prefer to be involved in projects and programs aimed at delivering services to the people.

The Speaker said that he wants this trend reversed this year to allow the administration to perform its primary role of providing goods and services to our people.

MR. MIRIKI said that he strongly believes the leaders must now concentrate on the reconciliation process, establish peace and security on the ground and prepare for the referendum in 2015.

The Speaker said that for this to work, the members must be physically on the ground with their people personally directing activities on the ground. 

New Dawn FM yesterday released a report from the people of Buin calling on their ABG members to go home and visit their people instead of living in Buka.

15.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG VICE PRESIDENT’S CAR COMMANDEERED

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG vice President’s official vehicle has been commandeered by another group of disgruntled home guards, this time from the Hahalis village on Buka island.

This was also announced by the Buka Police Station Commander SGT EMMART TSIMES this afternoon.

SGT TSIMES told New Dawn FM that the car was stopped at a road block and is now parked at the Hahalis village.

He said that a team of government officials including Buka Police have already met the group and had the first round of discussion but the car will remain until a amicable solution is reached between the two parties concerned.

New Dawn FM understands the earlier incident involving the Hagogohe home guards were paid ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA out of their own area project funds.

Also there was a further argument themselves on how they should distribute these funds.

15.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

INVESTIGATING CONTINUEING

By Aloysius Laukai

Buka police are investigating an alcohol related murder that took place near the BEKUT jail on Buka island last weekend. 

This was revealed to the NEW DAWN FM this afternoon by the Acting Buka Police Station Commander, SGT EMMART TSIMES.

He said when the Police received the report it was reported as a car accident however further investigation by police found that it was actually a murder case.

SGT TSIMES said that the situation at BEKUT is still tense but Police are happy that the relatives of the deceased are cooperating with Police to allow the investigation to continue.

The Buka Police Station Commander is also appealing to the people of Bekut and the nearby villages to remain calm and allow police to complete its investigations and not to get the law into their own hands.

SGT TSIMES also released the name of the deceased as a CIS officer DAVID SAWA GEREO.

He said that the body is now at the Buka General Hospital morgue awaiting the arrival of his family who are in Port Moresby.

15.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Police heads reshuffled

By TODAGIA KELOLA

A MAJOR reshuffle of senior Police Officers especially Provincial Police Commanders and Station Commanders has been issued by Police Commissioner Toami Kulunga to take effect immediately.

Among the reshuffle are three Assistant Commissioners, , eight Chief Superintendents ,10 Superintendents and 19 Chief Inspectors who will take charge of divisions, provinces and police stations throughout the country.

Police Commissioner Toami Kulunga said the transfers have been made consistent with the overall strategies to improve the administration and operations of the whole constabulary.

“Officers are being placed where they are expected to add value to the Constabulary,” Commissioner Kulunga said, adding that officers are expected to do hand-over take-over formalities and settle into their jobs before the start of the new school year.

Among those transferred are Assistant Commissioner of Police for Bougainville, Thomas Eluh who has been transferred to ACP Momase, whilst ACP Joab Mangae has been transferred from ACP Logistics to ACP Policy and Planning

NCD Superintendent Operations Andy Bawa has been elevated to Metropolitan Commander while his predecessor Peter Guinness goes to Headquarters as Director CID .

Former NCD Metropolitan Commander Joseph Tondop has been sent to Oro as the new PPC while Victor Isouve has been recalled to head the Internal Affairs.

The full list are as listed in the table on the right. 

14.01.2013

Source: ESBC Research

Are US-American Market Manipulators

making the ASX a Madhouse?

Currently BOC shares face major share price manipulation that is supposedly originating in the United States of America. (J.P. Morgan Nominees Australia, a subsidiary of J.P. Morgan and Citicorp Nominees both based in NYC are holding approximately 15% of BOC shares in custody. These both companies were involved in an unauthorized ADR scheme a couple of years ago. They might also now be responsible for un-authorized lending of shares which they hold in custody! 

It would be even not surprising if the Wall Street based broker firm John Thomas Financial Inc. http://johnthomasfinancial.com/ would be involved in this market manipulation scheme as well:

Loser Mitt Romney and Thomas Belesis: A Dream Team  on a corporate event at John Thomas Financial Inc.

Thanks to an insider blog (www.whitecollarfraud.blogspot.com)  we found out, that previously John Thomas Financial Inc. played an active role in the Inter Oil Market Manipulation Scheme on the ground in Papua New Guinea: http://whitecollarfraud.blogspot.com/2009/07/interoil-john-thomas-financial-and.html . In so far it would not be astonishing at all if Bougainville Copper Limited were in John Thomas Financial’s criminal focus as well.

Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL/BOC) is one of the biggest copper, gold, silver and molybdenum assets of the world, situated on the remote island of Bougainville (Papua New Guinea). The operations were shut down in 1989 due to local unrest related to Bougainville’s struggle for independence. Our company is a subsidiary of Rio Tinto (54%), co-owner is the state of Papua New Guinea (19%). Only 27% of the remaining BOC shares are in free-float! This makes it easier to influence the share price and makes BOC shares even more vulnerable to fraudulent manipulation. This is what happens today. Please see the attached PDF files concerning the trades on Friday, January 11th and Monday, January 14th, 2013.  They are good examples for the trading pattern during the last two months! The ASX became a madhouse!

Although the Australian Securities Exchange repeatedly had been alerted by the ESBC to stop fraudulent trading practices in BOC shares, they do not appear to be interested to provide correct business at the ASX!

The ESBC even believe that the ASX’s BOC-market-maker is involved in these fraudulent practices.

As the European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper (ESBC) are only a small group of private investors (we own approximately 4%), we do not have a lot of means to fight against these fraudulent practices. Except one: We expose backdoor players and involved conmen on our homepage. Please find out on our site.

In 2012 the Russian Television Network RT exposed market manipulation in the US. Their report (see below) might unmask the truth, but it might also been meant as an instrument to undermine western business practices. Up to you to find out!

Sam Antar (pictured), who appears in the video, is a convicted white collar criminal. He speaks out why fraud is so easy in the financial world.  On his blog www.whitecollarfraud.blogspot.com he unmasks fraudulent practices.

Further interesting information can be found on the site of Marquet International, an investigation company that focus on “Managing Business Risks Through Strategic Intelligence”. It hosts under www.marquetinternational.com 

Watch here the RT report: 

14.01.2013

Source: The National

PNG fails to learn from mistakes 

PAPUA New Guinea is a country that seems to drive into the future without glan­cing in the rear view mirror, with little concern for its history and little regard for the age-old wisdom of learning from mistakes.

If it were to look back occasionally, it would see the glaring errors and omissions in the past that has led to avoidable pitfalls and would steer away from them. And so time and again it repeats the mistakes and each time, like a bogged car, it digs itself deeper.

Its experience with the provincial government system is one glaring example.

Another is its approach to education which we alluded to in this space last week.

There was nothing wrong with the provincial government system as it was designed by the constitutional planning committee in 1974 but with Independence Day looming large, the constituent assembly meeting on Aug 5, 1974, decided to shelve the entire provision on provincial governments. It removed the entire section 10 which provided for the second-tier system of government.

The Organic Law on Provincial Governments was reintroduced one year later in October 1976 on the back of a blackmail perpetrated by none other than the deputy chairman of the constitutional planning committee and the father of the decentralisation principle, then Bougainville regional MP John Momis.

As it turned out, the decentralisation principle was doomed to failure right from the start not because there was anything wrong with the concept, but because it was imposed upon a people who were not ready for it.

Recognising the inade­quate preparation and the lack of education, the executive government of Michael T Somare recommended that each province (then referred to as districts) ought to apply for provincial government as it became ready.

These comments, in hindsight, bore prophetic accuracy. PNG’s might have been a different story had the provincial government system been applied in that slow phased process suggested by the executive government.

Alas, that was not to be.

With so much on the Constituent Assembly’s agenda and with Independence only a month away, the Constituent Assembly when it met in August 1975, could ill afford the time required to delibe­rate the arguments for and against introduction of the provincial government system.

The entire provision was rejected out of hand and shelved for possible debate and introduction at a later time.

When the provincial government system was finally introduced one year later, it was thrust upon an unprepared country on the back of a blackmail with none of the preparations that such a massive undertaking warranted.

Catholic priest and regional MP Momis had assumed almost all responsibilities for collation, compilation and drafting of the Constitution as deputy chairman of the CPC.

Chairman Chief Minister Michael Somare was much too busy elsewhere negotia­ting with Australia and preparing the country for independence.

Then as today, Momis was a strong supporter of devolution of power and believed fervently that real power was vested in the people and that only when they were empowered and emboldened to make decisions affecting their own welfare, that was when true democratic government would prevail.

So when the Constituent Assembly refused to accept the provision for a system of provincial governments, Fr Momis staged a walkout of parliament with all the other members of Bougainville in 1976 with the blunt message that Bougainville would secede from the newly independent Papua New Guinea if Bougainville was not to have its own provincial government.

Faced with the real threat of dissolution of the one year union of PNG’s many tribes, parliament in October 1976 made the first amendment to the Constitution to reinsert the Organic Law on Provincial Governments.

Momis’ North Solomons became the first province to attain provincial government in 1977.

14.01.2013

Source: Mekamui News

ON THE ROAD TO NAGOVIS

Story by Dan

After staying the night with Tabu at Tokunari we left early to get to our meeting place for the truck that would take us to Nagovis district high in the fresh water abundant mountains of Central Bougainville.  Island time is naturally loose but the ten seater landcrusier turned up eventually giving me time to speak with the other people waiting around Arawa town including Meekamui Prime minister William Sivusia who assured me cottage industry and small man powered mining projects was the way forward for Bougainville.

We also had a chance to talk about the Rothschild family estate being the World Bank private bankster family who loan money to countries forcibly indebting populations forever more to this covert form of slavery invented and propelled by this perverted 1% elite. I recommended Mekamui not be coerced by these criminal master minds with their corrupt manipulators and dodgy loans, rather they continue with their own self-determination, innovation and autonomy.  So we boarded the truck and set out towards the No Go Zone checkpoint that remains to remind people of the victory over Rio Tinto and of the continuing struggle for Independence.

Upon recognising our truck was a tourist truck bound for Nagovis past Panguna the checkpoint was lifted and we headed towards Panguna. I sat in the front seat with a young man named Russell heading to his home village in Nagovis district after doing a seasons work at a Gold Mine in Lihir a PNG province opened up to mining by Australian and multi-national corporations. I questioned Russell about the use of cyanide in heap leach gold mining and he said it was used but that he was an electrician, showing me photos of his Australian work mates on his new i phone. As we drove past the massive hole that was Panguna Gold and Copper mine I tried to imagine the natural landscape that was there before CRA and BCL mangled the place into the ugly scar that exists today. The halted mining equipment, rock crusher engulfed with vegetation and the eroded stock pile of minerals with stripped processing plant did however bring a satisfying smile to my face with a proud feeling towards Bougainvillean’s and the spirit of natural harmony reclaiming this fertile abundant land from destructive foreign values.

Next we passed the hundreds of man power miners scattered along the copper blue stained water way leading out of the mine, panning or washing gold with various sieve methods including old backyard trampolines.  It was a sight I imagined that represented mining several hundred years ago before big machines, chemicals and multi-national corporations corrupted this communal environment with greedy, environmentally devastating methods based on exclusive ownership rather than community rights , community benefits and free luck participation. We passed the Jaba river over bridge, as I recalled what I had read about the destruction done to this river by dumping the mine tailings into it, that had extended the west coast river mouth by several kilometres with toxic mine tailings. Locals informed me that an American rig had been given permission to re-process some of these coastal tailings and was down there at the moment trying to steal a share of the wealth from the locals.

We soon hit the Pangara river crossing where the troopy would negotiate it’s path across the 80 metre wide passage of fast flowing water. I noticed the remains of iron footings that had once held up a bridge that had been washed away by flood waters, as I wondered about the rising water level around the troppy as it staggered across the slippery rock bottom.  We made it across no problem today but I would not like to run this gauntlet in flood water that’s for sure. After some rugged, muddy four wheel driving we arrived at Nagovis district villages and paid the driver his modest k10 fee.

14.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Business partnerships

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

BOUGAINVILLE regional MP Joe Lera has made a commitment to work in partnership with the business community in Bougainville.

And one of his dreams during his term in parliament is to see 10 Bougainvillean-based businessmen and women become millionaires.

This is because when there are many millionaires in Bougainville, they will contribute greatly to the ABG’s revenue earnings through payment of company taxes and other benefits to the province. Mr Lera made his position known during a meeting he had with business representatives in Buka last Friday. The purpose of the meeting was to mobilise the business owners to work in partnership with Mr Lera so that they can contribute to tangible developments in Bougainville. 

Mr Lera said the involvement and utilisation of the business sector in contributing to Bougainville’s economic growth was one of his major plans wich he aimed to promote during his term as MP.

14.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BUIN TO REGISTER

By Aloysius Laukai

All Businesses operating in Buin town mustl be registered to IPA before March 2013, according to the Buin Business Houses Association rep and Senior Internal Revenue Commission worker, MICHAEL LUAKENU.

He told the Buin meeting last Saturday that Buin had 150plus businesses that need to register to start paying taxes to the ABG.

Mr Luakenu was responding to calls by the Minister for Finance.Treasury and Planning ALBERT PUNGHAU who said Bougainvilleans need to contribute to increasing the Internal Revenue for the region which is only 17Million Kina.

He said many Businesses especially all car owners were not paying taxes because Vehicle Registration and licencing were not available on mainland Bougainville.

MR Luakenu said association have been running awareness programs with Buin based businesses on the need to register.

Meanwhile,South Bougainville Police Commander, Inspector Paul Kamuai in his speech said that the Licensing of vehicles was necessary as alot of illegal vehicles and unlicensed drivers were on the road causing accidents.

He said this year the Traffic registry office must be established in Buin.

14.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BUIN MEMBERS MISSING

By Aloysius Laukai

The people of Buin last Saturday called on the ABG President, DR.JOHN MOMIS to explain why ABG members from Buin are not accompanying him on awareness programs.

During question time many chiefs said if Siwai members were with the President where were the members from Buin.

The people said that their members need to talk to them and not to become additional members of the Tsitalato constituency on Buka island.

The public also questioned how these ABG members use their annual Members support funds totaling ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA as members donot visit their contituencies.

The ABG member said that two Buin ministers, Newton Kauva and Wilfred Komba were SDA's and could not attend to the meeting held on Satuday and Joseph Buia sick.

The public then called for a meeting and see if tthis was not another excuse.

The meeting was attended by more than Five thousand men women and children of Bana, Siwai and Buin and Solomon islanders who go to Buin market on a Satuday morning.

12.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Cargoes keep coming

by Aloysius Laukai

Whilst the Bougainville leaders were talking on how to move South Bougainville, work of unloading goods for South Bougainville at the nearby Kangu wharf was progressing well.

New Dawn FM quickly checked the Kangu wharf and found these busy bees downloading cargoes including these Bridgestone tyres from the Argmack Shipping barge this afternoon.

This under-used Kangu wharf could be a busy spot once the National Government's Backdoor corridor work starts on the border post.

Kangu will be the base for the Border post and could trigger more development activities for South Bougainville once the Border post operation starts at the end of this year.

In 2008 Tambolema Trading Limited a Buka based company brought in a overseas vessel from the Philippines shifted 2000 tonnes of South Bougainville copra to the Philippines.

Under the Border post program the Kangu border post would have Police.Customs and quarantine officers stationed at Kangu.

12.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Punghau on Budget

By Aloysius Laukai in Buin

ABG Minister for Finance Treasury and Planning, ALBERT PUNGHAU will present the 390MILLION ABG 2013 Appropriation to the National Minister for Finance in Port Moresby for approval next week.

He told the meeting in Buin this morning that ABG needs to raise more internal revenue to develop the region.

Minister Punghau said this year the ABG raised only 17million kina because alot of people were not paying taxes to their government.

He said no government in the world can operate without paying taxes, so people are required to pay their taxes.

12.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG ADDRESSES SOUTH BOUGAINVILLE

By Aloysius Laukai in Buin

ABG President Dr. JOHN MOMIS has told the people of South Bougainville to continue to support the work of Peace building and autonomy in the region.

In his speach to the people of South Bougainville in Buin this morning, DR. MOMIS thanked the Veterans Association of South Bougainville to start the joint Police/veterans operations in South Bougainville that has totally cleaned the villages in South Bougainville of violence and homebrew and other districts of Central and South Bougainville.

Picture of President Momis addressing the crowd at the Buin Market.

Crowd listening to President's awareness in Buin

12.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

POLICE CHECK POINT

by Aloysius Laukai in Buin

People who come to Buin town for the famous BUIN MARKET on a saturday morning have to pass through check points by the Buin Police.

Police check for weapons and homebrew and drugs.

And this has been going on since Christmas and the new year.

There are three check points on the three roads coming into Buin, one from the Buin Buka highway coming through the Buin airstrip,two the road coming from Kangu and three, the Panguna Siwai highway.

pictured are Siwai cars being checked by Police

12.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BUIN MEET

By Aloysius Laukai

The people of Buin are preparing to meet with the ABG President,DR.JOHN MOMIS at the Buin market tomorrow. The meeting will be held at the Buin main market and president Momis and his team arrived in Buin last night from Buka.

11.01.2013

Source: ESBC

The Semple / Morumbi Case

Uninformed, ignorant Morumbi follower pays back!

Are these Morumbi guys behind the ongoing Sydney BOC market manipulation? Did CEO Thomas J. Loch simply leave Morumbi because he didn't want to bear Lindsay Semple's deceptive business acts anymore? Many questions - no answers! Only the last sentence contains an advice that might be interpretated as a hint on possible fraudulent market activities.

This text below reached the ESBC today. Since a couple of days bizarre posts are published on the Australian HotCopper internet forum. It is full of lies, allegations, defamatory statements and malicious gossip.This is Semple's business conduct pure and un-diluted!

Enjoy reading these lines and learn more about Lindsay Semple and Morumbi   here !  !

I know with absolute certainty now why the big vote in Bougainville Parliament never took place shortly before Christmas and was postponed until the next session in March.President Momis realized that the vote would never pass in favour of the drafted mining policy as it was written by an Australian legal advisor who somehow convinced him that section 23 of the Constitution does not mean wait it truly does. Let me explain.

On 13 November 2012 the Central Bougainville Ex-Combattants Association sent a letter to President Momis that was published in the Post Courier a few days before the December Parliament session. 

I have a copy of it and it mentions that Momis had no intention of honouring Section 23 of the Constitution. The true meaning and spirit of this section is embedded in the hearts and minds of the resource owners and other true Bougainvillians. Why expect honest advice from a legal advisor whose loyalty lies with Australian interests? He is using the old tried colonial method of deceit, bullying, selecting and awarding agents. The former combattants will not be deceibed and are fully aware that the ABG and its mining department are acting as BCL agents. They even say that BCL has ingrained itself into the ABG to such an extent that Momis is prepared to rewrite the recent history of Bougainville and write out the last 23 years of their struggles as if they never happened. They go on by stating that Momis shows little understanding of the struggle for Independance through mining rights. 

The Ex-Combattants are very strong on the matter of legal advice. They don't want Tony Regan or any other Australian involved in this. They are being paid by outside interests that have their own agenda. Same goes for Chris Sirosi.

Momis has been put under tremendous pressure to have the mining law/policy written by competent Bougainvillian & PNG lawyers like James Wanjik and Ezekiel Masatt.

I can assure you that the letter sent shock waves through Buka which gives an idea where the true power is in Bougainville. As a result, an all encompassing Mining Policy is about to be drafted with regular input into the process so that it does not deviate from the Constitution. 

The letter was inderwritten by the Ex-Combattant Leaders & Heads of Central Bougainville Landowner Groups: Isoa Kauona, Damas Kitare, Leo Evansi, James Onato, Eugene Orina, John Taipa, Ishmael Toroma, Sam Kauona (ESBC: former warlord, friend of conman Lindsay Semple and now-Morumbi-director), Steven Topesi and Charles Taverna.

Folks, Momis is a puppet and can now forget pushing his BCL sponsored policy through as the true power is not with them. The members of parliament will in March vote in favour of getting the mining rights back to where it belongs: The landowners and peole of the Island. This is why the vote was postponed. Axel Sturm is a complete idiot who does not want to understand this. BCL/Rio Tinto are not wellcome on the island anymore. They better sell the majority stake in Panguna to another major mining company who has the support from the Bougainvillians and the PNG government. Names that come to ming first are Vale, Newmont and Barrick. 

March will be a avery interesting month, but the way I see things progress it may be smarter to go short BCL shares and long Morumbi shares. The last has the full support of the people with the true power.

11.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

RESPECT SMALLER GOVERNMENTS

BY Aloysius Laukai

The ABG PRESIDENT DR JOHN MOMIS says that the National government must respect and walk with the provincial governments.

Speaking on New Dawn FM yesterday he said bigger governments must not intervere with little governments like the COEs on Bougainville.

He said that working together the different levels of government will move forward.

He also called on the national parliamentarians to work with ABG to change the region.

11.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LIGHT FOR BOUGAINVILLEAN SCHOOLS

by Aloysius Laukai

The Deputy Director for Education, DAMIAN RAPESE has called on recepient schools of the donated solar lights to look after these lights.

He made these calls in Buka yesterday when giving solar lights to 24 schools throughout Bougainville.

The solar lights were donated from Taiwan and would be used by the School students to study at night.

He said some schools have missed out this time because they did not look after earlier donations.

11.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BUILDING CAPACITY WILL TAKE TIME

By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG President DR. JOHN MOMIS says raising the capacity of the ABG will take time.

Speaking on New Dawn FM tonight. DR. MOMIS said that building capacity is not just enacting laws, it means building the capacity of the workers and also the ABG as an institution.

He said since 2005 the ABG has been slowly moving forward to reaching the goal that is stated in the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

PRESIDENT MOMIS said that Bougainville can enact laws but if the workers are not trained to perform than the laws would not be implemented.

He said Bougainville must build its capacity by taking a holistic approach that is addressing all areas in the process.

11.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Referendum on Bougainville still stands: Momis

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE people of Bougainville will have their say on their future when they hold their referendum in three years time or later as stipulated under the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA).

ABG President Chief John Momis gave his people this assurance in Buka yesterday.

According to Section 191 Subsection (7) of the Bougainville Constitution, the referendum should take place not earlier than 10 years and not more than 15 years after the election of the first Bougainville Government.

Since the ABG was formed in 2005, by law the referendum should be held between 2015-2020.

Mr Momis, while commenting on the referendum issue during a recent press conference, assured that it would still be held between 2015-2020.

The president gave the assurance after many people expressed misgivings and questioned if indeed the referendum is going to take place, especially because the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) has not been reviewed.

He said according to BPA, the review would only be conducted on the autonomy arrangements, and not on the referendum issue. 

Mr Momis confirmed that there would be a review of the BPA, adding that a panel of experts in BPA had already been chosen to look into this issue. 

The president also clarified doubts that many had regarding the achievements of the three pillars stipulated in the Bougainville Constitution that needs to be addressed before referendum can take place.These pillars include weapons disposal, fiscal self-reliance and good governance. 

Mr Momis, however, still maintained his stand that regardless of whether or not Bougainville had fully achieved these pillars, the referendum would still be held between 2015-2020.

“Referendum is inevitable. It must take place,” Mr Momis said.

He said issues like weapons disposal was also very important and should be thoroughly addressed to have a gun-free society.

“Whether we are fiscally self-reliant or whether we meet the standard of good governance or not, it doesn’t matter,’’ he said. 

“Referendum will still take place. But if all this doesn’t take place, it’s no use becoming independent when you don’t have the money.

“That’s why it’s important for us to generate the Government’s revenue. That’s why many of us are thinking that the Panguna mine should be re-opened because it will generate revenue and fiscal self-reliance for the population of Bougainville. If not we will be struggling,” Mr Momis said.

11.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Chinese give solar lamps to schools

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

TWENTY-four primary schools in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville are fortunate to have been selected to receive solar lamps, courtesy of the Department of Education.

These solar lamps which were donated by the Chinese Government to the PNG Department of Education for distribution to schools in the remote areas, was presented to the Bougainville Division of Education by the former Education Department deputy secretary Damien Rapese yesterday.

Students from these selected schools will now be using these lamps to do their homework and private studies during the night.

Chief Executive Officer of the Division of Education in Bougainville Bruno Babato, before receiving the solar lamps, thanked the Chinese Government for their timely donation. 

He said these solar lamps would play a pivotal role in improving the students learning as they would now have the opportunity to study in the night.

He added that these lamps would definitely contribute to the students learning. 

Mr Babato is now appealing to teachers in these selected schools to ensure that these solar lamps are properly looked after.

He has also appealed to both ABG and National Government MPs to fund the concept for schools.

11.01.2013

Source: The National

Onsa urges Momis to clean up ABG 

By ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

A LEADER in Buka, Henry Onsa, is calling on Autonomous Bougainville Government president John Momis to clean up the Bougainville public service this year.

Onsa said he was unhappy at the administration that continued to accumulate outstanding payments for services rendered by Bougainville businesses.

He questioned why the ABG continued to operate and not pay bills for services provided.

Onsa said the non-performers in the administration must be replaced to make way for competent and reliable workers.

He said the provincial administrator must be ordered to overhaul the administration for the good of the region.

Onsa said he was concerned that the referendum on independence of the region was only two years away and nothing was changing for the better.

11.01.2013

Source: The National

O’Neill reaffirms One China Policy 

By MOUA OMOA

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill reiterated Papua New Guinea’s “One China Policy” when meeting with visiting Chinese Vice-Minister for Commerce, Shan Zhong in Port Moresby, yesterday.   

Welcoming Shan, O’Neill acknowledged the longstanding relations between the two countries and the continued development assistance to PNG over the years.

“Papua New Guinea strictly adheres to the One China Policy,” O’Neill said.

Commending the Chinese government for its help, he mentioned projects such as the Ramu NiCo mine and the rehabilitation of major road systems.

He thanked Chinese mining giant, Sinopec for being a foundation customer to buy the country’s liquefied natural gas.

O’Neill acknowledged the ministry of commerce for playing a supporting role in ensuring major projects in PNG were implemented under the financial arrangements with the Exim Bank of China.

He thanked the Chinese government for according him and his delegation hospitality during his visit to China last September and for the generous assistance of 40 million yuan offered by Chinese Foreign Minister Li Keqiang.

He he expressed satisfaction at trade and investment and said it was increasing every year.

In response, Shan thanked O’Neill for his welcome and conveyed Premier Wen Jiabao’s best wishes.

He said China noted the developments in the oil and gas sectors and was prepared to further its investment and cooperation in the mining and energy sectors as well as agriculture and fisheries.

“China is ready to send technical experts in these sector areas to PNG to undertake some demonstration projects,” he said.

“Overall, China is prepared to boost economic and social development in PNG and suggests for the PNG government to identify key programmes and projects and present them to the Chinese government for approval and implementation.”

O’Neill said the PNG government would identify key projects for consideration by the Chinese government and that he would be visiting China later this year.

10.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Momis: Govt owes ABG  

By WINTERFORD TOREAS 

BOUGAINVILLE President Chief John Momis (pictured) says the national government has breached its contract with his government by not paying what it owes to his people.

In a recent press conference the president warned that if the national government fails to honour its commitment by paying restoration and development grants to the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), he will be taking the matter to court to decide on this issue.

“The National government has been underpaying the ABG over the past years and has not been honouring its commitment,” he said.

“The restoration and development grants are the only discretionary grants that the ABG has. For a long time the national government has been underpaying us by huge amounts of money,” Mr Momis said.

He said this payment should always be drawn down to the ABG coffers as agreed under the Bougainville Peace Agreement of 2001.

He said by not paying the ABG its dues, the national government was not only breaching a binding agreement but a contractual law signed between the two governments. 

He added that the PNG Constitution had been amended to cater for this law.

According to this agreement, the national government is supposed to release a certain amount of funds to the ABG yearly.

“The National Government should be paying ABG every year a certain percentage from the increase of the PIP…but the national government has only been giving us K15 million, which is not right,” President Momis said.

The President said apart from its recurrent budget, the ABG was also only receiving K15 million in grants from the national government.

He further added that the K500 million to be given to the ABG over a five-year period was 

a conditional grant and already earmarked for big impact projects on Bougainville. 

Mr Momis said if the ABG was given all its entitlements as promised, his government would be in a better position to fund all the high impact projects that they want to develop.

10.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

ABG system inadequate  

By WINTERFORD TOREAS 

ONE of the biggest obstacles hindering the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) from effectively carrying out its functions and responsibilities is the government system currently in place.

ABG President Chief Dr John Momis, while delivering his Christmas and New Year message to the people of Bougainville, said this government system was totally inadequate because it was meant for provincial governments and not for places like Bougainville that had already gained autonomy.

“The system that is operating is totally inadequate. It has been tailored in the provincial government system. It is not designed to handle increased autonomous powers and responsibilities,” President Momis said.

In order to rectify this, the ABG has been working very hard since last year with the Bougainville administration to develop a system that can handle the autonomy arrangement.

He said a consultant was tasked last year by the ABG to look into the capacity development strategy of the ABG.

This was important because the administration, as the machinery of the government, was supposed to be implementing the visions of the government. However, this has been lacking on Bougainville. 

“Other provinces are only using the national government laws and policies and they are implementing. 

“They are mere service deliverers. ABG is not a mere service provider. It is a government to build new vision (and) law to empower the people of Bougainville,” Mr Momis said.

The capacity development strategy report has already been given to the ABG, and has already been approved by the Bougainville Executive Council.

This report is expected to be implemented this year. 

Once implemented, the ABG will be able to fully carry out its duties. 

The government machinery, which is the public service, will also be able to carry out its duties. 

However, Mr Momis said once implemented this would also lead to financial constraints faced by the ABG.

10.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Chinese-made three-wheel bicycle intrigues Bougainvilleans 

Words and Picture: WINTERFORD TOREAS

MANY people from Buka and the nearby surrounding villages in the northern tip of Bougainville are now flocking to Buka town to get a glimpse of a three-wheel motorbike that was recently brought into Bougainville by a Chinese business company operating in Buka. This bike (pictured) was brought in by the Bougainville Import Export Group (BIEG). BIEG is a company that was invited by the Autonomous Bougainville Government to set up its operations on the island. The trailer of this bike can carry about six passengers. However, many who have already seen the bike, said it could also be used to transport cocoa and copra out of the bush. Pictured is Robin Hu from the BIEG company proudly testing out the bike, while some interested onlookers get a feel of the bike. Mr Hu said if Bougainvilleans are interested in buying the bike, they can place their orders and he will arrange for the bikes to be shipped over to Bougainville.

10.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Buai market in Buka

BETELNUT sellers in Buka town can breathe a sigh of relief as they will still be using their temporary betelnut market to sell their produce.

Buka Town manageress Brenda Tohiana, when giving an update on the market relocation exercise early this week, said they had not been successful in securing land from customary landowners around Buka town area to construct the new betelnut market. 

She said that is why the town council has allowed betelnut sellers to continue selling their produce at the temporary market.

Mrs Tohiana said the council had initially approved the temporary relocation of the betelnut market to Sohano Island. 

Betelnut sellers interviewed do not want it relocated to Sohano Island.

Man chews Betelnut (Buai)  →

10.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ONSA ON TEACHERS

By Aloysius Laukai

 Bougainville businessman HENRY ONSA today called on the Education Division on Bougainville to make sure Teacher’s leave fares are budgeted for every year.

 He told New Dawn FM this morning that stories of many teachers from Papua New Guinea not returning home for holidays was not good.

MR. ONSA questioned why some parents and citizens had to fundraise to raise ticket for a certain teacher and his family to return home for the Christmas holidays.

He said Bougainville Education Division must be prepared to meet air travel before recruiting teachers from other provinces in Papua New Guinea.

Our attempts to get a response from the Education division officials were unsuccessful.

10.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

SOVELE UNDER CONTROL

By Aloysius Laukai

The Problem involving two disputing landowners at the Sovele Health Centre is under control according to the Director for Public Health with the division of Health on Bougainville, ALOYSIUS PUKIENEI.

 He told New Dawn FM this afternoon that they have held One meeting with the District Administration, Ex Combatants from the area, Police and the two landowner factions to allow the Health Centre to remain open and allow negotiations to proceed.

 MR. PUKIENEI said that the groups have agreed to let the Health Centre to operate normally to serve the people.

 On the question of dysentery in the area, MR. PUKIENEI said that the dysentery was already contained after two deaths.

10.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

GOOD PROTEIN

By Aloysius Laukai

 Concerns of the sudden increase and appearance of small eels on rivers in South Bougainville are good source of protein according to Health Officials.

 He said they have approached fisheries officials and have confirmed as healthy for consumption.

 MR. PUKIENEI said that their sudden appearance in numbers could be due to climate change which is affecting everybody today.

 He said due to the heat from the hot sun they could be coming out to look for cool waters or could be that the fish that were eating them could have died due to climate change.

 The Public Health Director is calling on the people of South Bougainville not to panic but remain calm as they would naturally disappear.

10.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Present For Schools on Resumption

By Maria Laukai 

The National Department of Education will be officially handing over solar lamps to the ABG division of Education tomorrow 10 January 2013.

This was revealed by the office of the Chief Executive Officer for Education this afternoon in Buka.

According to the service message Twenty four schools throughout Bougainville will benefit from this project.

 These schools are as follows:

Aravia primary school ,

Toresure primary school,

Isina primary school

Carterets primary school,

Balil primary school,

Nuguria primary school ,

Wasinobus primary school,

Hapan primary school,

Saposa primary school,

Karwaia primary school,

Koianu primary school,

Kupei primary school,

Daru primary school

Itae primary school,

Oune primary school,

Asitai primary school,

Kipau primary school,

Katukuh primary school,

Lautan primary school,

Mamarego primary school,

Yamamoto primary school,

Konga primary school,

Sininai primary school and

Misirari memorial primary school.

The Deputy Secretary for Education, Mr. Damien Rapese will make the presentation to the Chief Executive Officer for the Division of Education, Mr. Bruno Babato.

10.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

HENRY CALLS FOR CLEAN UP

By Maria Laukai

He told New Dawn FM in Buka that he was not happy at the administration that continues to accumulate outstanding payments for services rendered by Bougainville Businesses.

 He questioned why the ABG continues to operate and not able to pay bills for services provided by the businesses.

 Mr Onsa said that non performers at the administration must be replaced to make way for good competent and reliable workers.

 He said that the Chief administrator must be ordered to overhaul the administration for the good this year.

 MR. ONSA said that he was concerned that Referendum was only two years away and nothing is changing for the good.

09.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Eluh warns laxy cops to perform

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

BOUGAINVILLE policemen and women who have not been performing their duties can now expect harsh disciplinary action, that’s the warning from their boss Thomas Eluh.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Eluh, when issuing the warning on Monday said he would not hesitate to terminate those that had failed to comply with directives to improve their performances.

He said when he first took up his posting as the Bougainville police chief nearly three years ago, his main aim was to ensure that Bougainville Police Service not only become the best in PNG but the whole of South Pacific.

Mr Eluh, however, confessed that he did not realise the lack of performances, attitudes and disciplines shown by some policemen and women throughout Bougainville.

Mr Eluh has already directed the BPS team leaders to forward to his office names of police personnel who have not been complying with instructions to improve their performances.

“As far as I’m concerned, enough is enough,” Mr Eluh said, adding that he would start with his clean-up exercise this year.

He revealed that not long he would be terminating some of his officers that had been tarnishing the BPS image. 

He said there was no point in keeping such officers when they had shown no improvements in their performances and commitments. 

Mr Eluh stressed that if BPS was serious in winning the support from the communities, it should terminate those that had not been performing their duties and responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Mr Eluh said there were plans in place to send some of his policemen and women to other provinces, like East New Britain on a short job exchange exercise.

This province will also be sending some of its police personnel to Bougainville on that same arrangement.

The purpose of this exercise is to equip and improve the BPS members with the experiences, struggles and the general day to day policing duties that police in that province encounter whilst carrying out their duties. He said such a program was beneficial. 

09.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Report angers Bougainville contractor 

A BOUGAINVILLEAN building contractor is up in arms about a story run in the other daily newspaper on Monday. 

Michael Pakei said the report, accusing his company Bougainville Engineering and Constructions Ltd of misusing Government funds, was “highly sensational, lacked substance and was misleading”.

Mr Pakei strenuously denied that funds, released for the rehabilitation of Buin Secondary School in South Bougainville, were misused by his company.

He said the original proposal for the project in 2006 was for K7 million but “In 2010, when the submission was approved by the Department of National Planning, it was reduced to K2 million and the company was awarded the contract to maintain and rehabilitate the facilities at the school”.

Mr Pakei maintained that “with the K2 million (we) rehabilitated 48 per cent of the total infrastructure at the school and all the buildings under the scope of work are now duly completed”.

The company has issued a challenge for the reporter involved, along with any other interested parties, to visit the school and see for themselves that the work has been carried out.

“The company is prepared to arrange transport,” said Mr Pakei.

Further, he said, K4 million as “a variation of the contract was given in 2012”. 

Bougainville Education chief executive officer Bruno Babato claimed in the story that K400,000 was released and the same amount withheld. Mr Pakei refuted this, saying his company had already been paid K3.6 million, with the remaining K400,000 withheld until the first progress report had been submitted to the National Education Department.

He said materials for this second phase had already been shipped to Buin. Mr Pakei said the project report was given to Mr Babato last May and expressed anger that his company’s views were not sought by the news reporter.

09.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Police commended for a good job 

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

BOUGAINVILLE police chief Thomas Eluh has commended Bougainvilleans for their efforts and cooperation in ensuring trouble-free celebrations during the Christmas and New Year period.

Mr Eluh, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP, said although there were three traffic incidents which occurred during the festive celebrations, one very fatal which happened in Buin during the New Year, in general Bougainvilleans had celebrated peacefully. 

He said the positive outcomes of this festive season showed that there had been a great change in the people’s attitude.

Mr Eluh also commended the former combatants throughout Bougainville for assisting police during their festive season operations.

He clarified that their engagement came about due to the shortage of manpower currently faced by the Bougainville Police Service. 

The chief executive officers for the divisions of Veteran Affairs and Peace and Reconciliation, Aaron Peter and Nick Peniai were also acknowledged for organising the former combatants in taking part in the police-led operations. 

Mr Eluh also commended leaders in the communities for the roles they played in ensuring that no trouble arose in their communities.

Meanwhile, member for ex-combatants in North Bougainville in the Bougainville House of Representatives Franco Hopping has also congratulated the former combatants in north Bougainville for their support in assisting police during the festive season. 

He said these former combatants would be on standby to provide support whenever they were asked to do so again.

09.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier  -  Letter to the editor

Bougainville not fully autonomous

BOUGAINVILLE gained its autonomy status in 2005 after its own constitution, “the Constitution of the Autonomous Region Of Bougainville” came into effect in 2004. The Bougainville Constitution established certain Constitutional Offices like the Bougainville Public Service Commission, CS, Police, Ombudsman Commission, Public Solicitors office, Public Prosecutors Office and the Judicial Service.

Up until now, except for the police, the National Government has not transferred any of their powers to Bougainville. The reason being that Bougainville has not requested the transfer of the powers from the National Government in relation to those key Constitutional Offices in Bougainville. Under the Bougainville Constitution, the Bougainville Government is required to give a 12 month notice to the PNG Government requesting powers to be transferred. If the Bougainville Government does not request a particular power to be transferred, the National Government is not obliged to transfer that power.

Certain powers (not all) have already been transferred by way of delegation to the Bougainville Government by the National Government are only in the areas of education, health, fisheries, mining, works, lands and physical planning.

The Bougainville Government may be of the view that there is no need to request the National Government to transfer those powers and that there is no need for those powers to be transferred.

The Constitutional Office established under the Constitution of Bougainville does not mean that a power in relation to that particular office has already been transferred.

There is no Bougainville Public Service Commission, there is no Bougainville CS, there is no Bougainville Public Solicitors Office, there is no Bougainville Ombudsman Commission, etc. If the Bougainville Constitution has already established these Offices, where are the Bougainville laws that will give effect to the Bougainville Constitution? The transfer of all powers available to Bougainville can only be effected through “delegation of powers” under an Act of Parliament and through “legislation.” Only when Bougainville passes its own laws in relation to all powers available to be transferred, including Constitutional offices, can Bougainville be seen to be fully autonomous. That is the time when people in Bougainville will cease to apply PNG Laws and apply their own laws in dealing with their own affairs. We need more draftsmen to assist in the drafting of Bougainville laws. 

At the moment, we do not know how many Bougainville laws, the House of Representative in Buka has passed. 

If we are facing a shortage of legal draftsmen in Bougainville to draft Bougainville laws, why can’t the Bougainville Government request assistance from the State Solicitors Office at Waigani for some legal officers to be sent to Bougainville on secondment? 

The spirit of the Bougainville Peace Agreement was to have a fully Autonomous Bougainville Government enter referendum between 2015 and 2020. The question is, do we have a fully Autonomous Government in place and getting ready for referendum? Is “real autonomy” working in Bougainville?

We hope that in the coming JSB meeting this year, members of JSB both the National Government and the Bougainville Government should be more critical in their discussions to address this issue of “making autonomy work’” before the referendum is conducted.

Joel Nava Minsipi, NCD

08.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ONE DEATH IN NAGOVIS

By Aloysius Laukai

 An outbreak of Dysentery has hit the mountainous areas of Nagovis near the closed Panguna copper mine on the border of Central and South Bougainville.

 According to reports reaching the New Dawn FM office in Buka, one death has also being reported.

 Whilst authorities are working around the clock to contain the situation.

 Whilst the people are in dire need of medication, another issue has also erupted at the nearby Sovele Health Centre.

 Reports from SOVELE say that the Health Centre has been closed due to a dispute on the land in which the Health Centre is situated on.

 Attempts by New Dawn FM to talk to the CEO Division of Health concerning this report were unsuccessful.

08.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

CONTRACTOR EXPLAINS

By Aloysius Laukai

The Contractor, Bougainville Engineering and Constructions Limited who won the bid to maintain to maintain and rehabilitate Buin Secondary school has responded to a report on theNational newspaper which on Monday 7th January 2013 talked about RESI FUNDS being misused on Bougainville by the Bougainville Education Chief Executive Officer, BRUNO BABATO.

Managing Director, MICHAEL PAKEI told New Dawn FM in Buka today that the report was highly sensational, lacked substance and was totally misleading.

He said that no RESI funds were misused at the Buin Secondary School.

The MD said that the original proposal that was submitted to the National Planning and Implementation in 2006 was for an amount of SEVEN MILLION KINA.

However when the funds were approved in 2010 it was reduced to TWO MILLION KINA and the company was awarded contract to maintain and rehabilitate the facilities at the school by the Supply and Tenders Board with an amended scope of work that covered only One single staff duplex, three concrete slab IMQ buildings, four classrooms, one of which was converted to a computer lab, a two storey girls dormitory with ablution block and two low set boys dormitories.

He said that the IMQs were totally new buildings with variations done on their architectural designs as well.

The MD said that FOUR MILLION KINA was given in November 2012 as variation to the contract of which THREE POINT SIX MILLION KINA has been released with FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA been withheld and to be released after the first progressive report is submitted to the National Department of Education.

He said that all the building materials are already in Buin and work should be completed at the end of February 2013.

MR. PAKEI said that the first TWO MILLION KINA only rehabilitated 48percent of the total infrastructure at the school.

He called on the EDUCATION CEO to check his facts before going to the press.

08.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

POOR PERFORMERS

By Aloysius Laukai

The Bougainville Police Service would be forced to recruit new Police officers from outside Bougainville if locals continue to display poor discipline in the conduct of their duties.

The Bougainville Police Service Assistant Commissioner, ACP THOMAS ELUH made this known during a press conference in Buka yesterday.

He said that since his appointment as the Police Commissioner for Bougainville he has been getting reports from all areas complaining about the performance of local police officers.

MR. ELUH said that in some areas there have been calls by the locals to sack the officers and recruit outsiders as the locals were not committed to their paid jobs.

In confirming these comments MR. ELUH said that even not many passed their training at the BOMANA POLICE TRAINING COLLEGE.

New Dawn FM understands that this attitude is been experienced in many other offices.

08.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

WIB ESTABLISHES ON BOUGAINVILLE

 By Aloysius Laukai

 Bougainville women who want to go into business will have their opportunity this year to attend a workshop at the Club Rendevez.

 The workshop organized by Office dynamics and the National Development Bank is inviting Bougainville women to register with a fee of TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY KINA to attend the three-day workshop.

 In making this known NESS Consultant, NESSIE SUHIE said that the workshop is for interested women who are already running businesses and also for women who want to go into businesses.

 The workshop presentation would be on Attitude Development and Basic Business Loan Development.

 Scheduled dates for the workshop are 18th,19th and 20th February 2013.

 For more information, you can call Nessie on 77587989 or  726 16059 

08.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

POLICE TO CLEAN UP

 By Aloysius Laukai

 Bougainville Police Service will clean up the entire Police Service to get rid of unproductive elements within the Police service this year.

This was announced today by the Assistant Police Commissioner for Bougainville, THOMAS ELUH during a press conference in Buka this morning.

ACP THOMAS ELUH explained although they have a good number of faithful police personnel there were a number of officers who were failing the Police by not attending to duties or even involving to the consuming of Homebrew and Alcohol.

He said this was making the work of Policing duties on Bougainville very challenging.

ACP , THOMAS ELUH said that the Bougainville Police service only has ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY regular police to serve the TWO HUNDRED FIFTY Plus thousand population for the Bougainville region and needs to recruit more men power this year.

 On the capacity of Police in terms of Housing and vehicles, ACP said that they were using cars left by the Australian Police whilst the members for North AND South Bougainville assisted with the donation of vehicles.

He said Arawa and Central Bougainville were really handicapped as they have only one vehicle operating.

The ACP also confirmed our earlier report of Police arresting one Reservist from Port Moresby who came to Bougainville with two fire arms.

These fire arms are now in Police custody whilst Bougainville Police are investigating the incident.

08.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

HU RETURNS HAPPY

By Aloysius Laukai

 The Taiwan Trade Commissioner, DANIEL HU (pictured) left Buka for Port Moresby last Saturday after visiting possible sites on Bougainville in which the Taiwan Government can assist the people of the Autonomous Region for Bougainville.

 Although he did not make any commitment apart from the IT Centre in which Taiwan will fund all the computers, MR. HU told NEW DAWN FMl in Buka before returning to Port Moresby that Bougainville was a land of opportunity and he was happy to work with the leaders to map out some areas of joint partnership on Agriculture and other areas of interest in the region.

 The Trade Commissioner said that he was happy to visit Bougainville but will return later to further collaborate with local authorities on areas of importance to the two people.

 He said that the soil was fertile in which organic food can be grown which he said was very expensive in most countries.

 MR. HU was able to visit possible wharf site, rice farming areas and also visited the cocoa rehabilitation program on Baneo Plantation which is on the Northern tip of Mainland Bougainville.

 He was also able to visit the Buka General Hospital and the Lemanmanu Health Centre on Buka island.

 Before his departure, he was able to donate two Solar Panel and Lights to the Lemanmanu Health Centre.

 He said that he was sad to see the state of the Centre and was able to donate these two solar lights which the Nurses can use when attending to patients in the night.

 It is understood that in most of the rural Health facilities, Nurses have problems with lights especially when delivering mothers at night and the two solar lights would be very useful to the Lemanmanu Health Centre.

 In receiving the gifts from the Trade Commissioner, the local ABG member for HAKU, JAMES BEANI said that he was happy that the Taiwan Trade Commissioner has assisted his Health Centre.

 He said although the Centre has a generator during emergencies sometimes there is no fuel and machines do break down when they are really needed.

 MR. BEANI said that he had secured funds for the extension of the Health Centre and was happy for such assistance.Ends

08.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

GIVE EMPLOYMENT TO LOCALS

By Aloysius Laukai

The Member for North Bougainville, LAUTA ATOI wants to fast track Poultry farms to cut off the import of Chicken into the region.

He said once the technical team from Taiwan comes he would like a chicken hatchery to start off with.

He told New Dawn FM at the weekend that once a abattoir was built villagers can be given Day old chicken with feeds to look after and later sell back to the abattoir for slaughtering and packing for sale.

The member said that in this way the people will still remain where they are but register to become participants of the poultry project.

New Dawn FM understands that the Niugini Table Birds operate similar to what the member is talking about.

08.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LAUTA HAPPY

By Aloysius Laukai

The member for North Bougainville in the National Parliament, LAUTA ATOI (pictured) says that he wants Bougainville to be creative and competitive when the region ventures into Agriculture and Fishing.

MR. ATOI reiterated the Trade Commissioner’s comment calling Bougainville as a land of opportunity in which Taiwan can assist to develop.

He said the visit by the Taiwan delegation was to confirm what he has been talking about to cut off the import of agriculture products into the region by producing our own for the local market and then exporting to PNG and overseas.

MR. ATOI said that a technical team from Taiwan would be coming to Bougainville in two weeks time to further carry out soil tests and other activities to further strengthen our partnership with the people of Taiwan.

He said that he was looking at establishing rice farms and also look after farm animals which would include Poultry, Piggery, Cattle to start off with.

On fishing, MR. ATOI said that this would come later as the region would need boats and other technical equipments but Taiwan is already interested in assisting also.

08.01.2013

Source: ESBC

Renowned Australian Stockbroker recommends Bougainville Copper Limited

Alex Moffatt, a director of stockbrokers Joseph Palmer & Sons has been quoted by MONEYMANAGER, BUSINESS DAY and CANBERRA TIMES :  "...for people looking for an ''in'' into resources, Mr. Moffat recommends Bougainville Copper, the Papua New Guinea copper, gold and silver miner, which is part owned by Rio Tinto."

08.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Cops remove guns from cop

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

A PORT Moresby-based police reservist had his weapons confiscated by police in Buka last week.

Two Sig Sauer pistols (picture) and some live ammunition were taken by police after receiving reports that the reservist had discharged two shots into the air.

The reservist from Central province who is married to a woman from the Mortlock Islands off Bougainville, was on his way to Mortlock when he learned that his eldest son who was living on the island had drowned when the dug-out canoe he was traveling in had capsized. 

The other person who was also paddling on that same canoe managed to swim to safety. The deceased was found the next day.

ACP Eluh (pictured), when commenting on the incident, said he was very disappointed over the actions of the reservist.

He said as the head of the Bougainville police, the reservist should have notified him first that he had the two Sig pistols and ammunition in his possession.

Mr Eluh said investigations are underway to determine whether the reservist had brought the pistols to Bougainville, and who the owner of the weapons was.

08.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Let there be light for the sick 

Words and Picture: WINTERFORD TOREAS

LIGHTING will not be a problem anymore for a health centre in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, thanks to the Taiwanese government for donating two solar powered kits. Lemanmanu Health Centre in the Haku constituency on Buka Island is the proud recipient of the solar kits containing two 15 watt solar panels and two 5 watt DC LED Tubes. The solar kits were presented by the Taiwan Trade Commissioner Daniel Hu, to the Member for Haku constituency in the Bougainville House of Representatives, James Beani last Saturday. Mr Beani, upon receiving the solar kits thanked Mr Hu for the timely donation. He said these solar kits will greatly help the health centre, especially in carrying out its operations during the night. Mr Beani said this donation had come about following a visit by Mr Hu to the Lemanmanu health centre last Thursday.

Pictured is Trade Commissioner Daniel Hu presenting the solar kits to Mr Beani, while North Bougainville MP Lauta Atoi looks on.

08.01.2013

Source: The National

Former fighters, auxiliaries used in Bougainville operations 

FOR the first time, ex-combatants and Community Auxiliary Police (CAP) were engaged in special police operations for the festive period in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Assistant commissioner of police in the region, Thomas Eluh (pictured), said the 14-day operation began on Dec 24 and ended on Monday. 

Eluh said the operations discovered there were fewer problems related to homebrew and unlawful use of firearms during the festive period last year compared to previous years.

He said, even though there was a shortage of manpower with 179 police officers who were evenly distributed throughout the region, the successful liaison with the Bougainville government enabled the use of ex-combatants and CAPs.

He said the ex-combatants and CAPs were used in the districts of South, North and Central Bougainville.

Eluh said former Bougainville Revolutionary Army member, Ishmael Toroama helped out in the operation with manpower and logistics.

He said in the previous years, police encountered problems with homebrew and guns but last year was different with no reports of such activities taking place.

Eluh thanked all stakeholders that played a key role in the operations in ensuring there was peace and harmony in the communities.

He said many communities held reconciliation ceremonies.

In other reports, police confiscated two pistols and live ammunition from a police reservist in Bougainville after he discharged it last Friday.

The officer was reportedly angry after his son’s body was found on Saturday and discharged the firearm. The son had drowned earlier in the week.

This year will be Eluh’s third year as ACP Bougainville.

He is proud in revamping the force in the region, which he said, was in disarray when he first joined them two years ago.

He has plans to improve housing for the officers and provide more training and have an exchange programme with police in East New Britain.

Eluh said officers found to be unlawfully breaking laws would be sacked.

08.01.2013

Source: The National

MP urges school leavers to register for courses 

THE office of Bougainville regional parliamentarian Joe Lera (pictured)  is calling for interested individuals who completed Grades 10 or 12 and are interested to continue studies to register in the next two weeks.

The message said successful students would be enrolled at the International Training Institute this year.

Another opportunity available was to obtain an Independence Fellowship Scheme with the ministry of labour to study in 10 selected technical schools in the country or go for overseas training in Fiji or the Philippines.

This process will take two weeks.

Those in Bougainville who are interested are asked by the office to prepare all the necessary documents to register.

The training opportunities are made available through a partnership arrangement with the International Training Institute, the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations and Lera.

08.01.2013

Source: The National

Taiwanese commissioner visits sites in Bougainville 

By ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

TAIWAN Trade Commissioner Daniel Hu left Buka for Port Moresby on Saturday after visiting possible sites where the Taiwanese government can help the people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Hu visited Bougainville at the invitation of North Bougainville parliamentarian Lauta Atoi, who took him to see a number of possible project sites on Buka Island and North Bougainville.

Although he did not make any commitment apart from an information technology centre in which Taiwan will fund all the computers, Hu said before returning to Port Moresby that Bougainville was a land of opportunity and he was happy to work with the leaders to map out some areas of joint partnership in agriculture and areas of interest.

He said he was happy to visit Bougainville and would return to discuss areas of importance.

He said the soil was fertile and organic food could be grown.

Hu was able to visit a possible wharf site, rice farming areas and the cocoa rehabilitation programme on Baneo Plantation, on the northern tip of Bougainville.

He visited the Buka General Hospital and the Lemanmanu Health Centre on Buka Island.

Before his departure, he was able to donate two solar panels and lights to the Lemanmanu Health Centre.

He said he was sad to see the state of the centre and was able to donate the two solar lights that the nurses could use when attending to patients at night.

Receiving the gifts, local ABG Member for Haku, James Beani said he was happy Hu had helped his health centre.

He said although the centre had a generator, sometimes there was no fuel and machines broke down when they were needed.

07.01.2013

Source: The National

Resi funds for ABG misused 

TWENTY-one schools in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville did not fully benefit from the government’s rehabilitation education service improvement (Resi) programme over the past three years due to misuse of funds.

Autonomous Bougainville Government chief executive for the education division Bruno Babato said in 2010, a number of projects in the form of classrooms, were funded by the national go­vernment through the DSIP.

“This had become a culture where schools and individuals applied direct to the members of parliament and even to the Department of National Planning and Monitoring for project funding,” he said.

“In most cases, these pro­jects were not completed even though funds were released to the contractors.

“Some of these schools do not exist and what is more worrying is that the MPs then did not take time to check with the ABG education authorities if the schools existed.”   

In the Kieta district, Anamore, Domakung, Sinoru, Turian, Rorovana, Kokoda, Marai, Darutue, Navibi, and Roreinang elementary and primary schools were given funds.

In the Selau-Suir district, Ramazon, Tatakots, Matetsiora, Ramazon International, Tsunpetz, Siara, Ton, Porpor elementary and primary schools were also given money.

Babato said the national government had funded other projects to improve infrastructure at Buin and Hutjena secondary schools and the construction of a hall at St Marceline Primary School in Tantareki.

“What is most concerning is that the prescribed financial processes and procedures were not followed in awarding of the contracts for all these projects.”

Babato said a particular company was awarded K2 million Resi funding in 2010 to carry out repair and upgrading of two low-set boys’ dormitories, a two-storey girls’ dormitory, three low-set two in one double classroom, a computer laboratory, a single staff building and three concrete slab

IMQ buildings at Buin Secondary.

He said according to the school principal’s report of 2012 to his office, the project remained unfinished.

“In 2012, the same company was awarded by the Department of National Planning and Monitoring K4 million in variation costs with a new contract value of K6 million for Buin Secon­dary School,” Babato said.

“Last Nov 11, K600,000 of  the K4 million was released to the company while K400,000 is being withheld by the Education Department and will be paid when the project is completed.”

Babato said there was no check and balance done with ABG authorities whether the previous contract was executed successfully.

In 2011, the Border Development Authority funded projects submitted to it by individuals for the following primary schools – Lemanmanu (K43,000) for major maintenance of four classrooms, Lemankoa (K30,000)  for a double toilet block and Hanahan (K70,000) for a  six-in-one classroom – all in the Buka district.

Babato said none of the projects were completed.

05.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

REGISTER TO STUDY

 By Aloysius Laukai

The office of the Regional member for Bougainville,Joe Lera is calling for interested individuals who jokd Grade ten or twelve qualification and are interested to continue studies to register within the next two weeks.

According to a service message sent to New Dawn FM today, interested students should bring their certificates,CVs,references and Passport photos to the Bougainville Administration conference room between 8am and 4pm to register and also fill the necessary forms.

The message states that succesfull students would be enrolled at the International Training Institute this year with another opportunity is to obtain an Independent Fellowship Scheme with the ministry of Labour and International Relations to study in any of the selected (10) technical schools in the country and an overseas training in Fiji or Philippinnes.

This process will take two weeks and interested people are requested to prepare all the necessary documents.

These training opportunities are made available through partnership with the International Training Institute, the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations and the Bougainville Regional member Hon.JOE LERA.

05.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BUKA POLICE ARREST ARMED RESERVIST

 By Aloysius Laukai

 New Dawn FM has received reports that PAPUAN MAN is in Police custody for illegally discharging fire arm two times in Buka this week.

 The man was only identified as a reservist and based in Por Moresby and is married to a Bougainvillean woman.

 According to reports the man with his son travelled from Port Moresby to Buka with two fully registered Fire arms on a mission to avenge a death of a relative.

 Reports also was that only one of the two firearms was taken by Buka Police whilst the reservist said that he had left it at home.

 Bougainville Police are investigating why the second fire arm was left in the village as it could be sold already on Bougainville.

 New Dawn FM will give more update on Monday.

05.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

RUGBY TO START

 By Aloysius Laukai

 The Greatest Game of All, RUGBY LEAGUE will start again in Buka after going off for one year.

 In making the announcement on New Dawn FM this afternoon, Vice President for the BUKA RUGBY FOOTBALL LEAGUE, VALERI HOLI said that they would start with a minimum of six clubs.

 He said a meeting for the League executives today looked at how they can sustain the competition which has ben on and off.

 MR.HOLI said based on the previous failures the executives are looking at getting clubs from around Buka town and nearby villages.

 The six clubs are, LONAHAN RFLC, WARRIORS,KUBU,NEWTOWN,DOLPHINS,MANOB.

 Other former clubs are also invited to register for the 2013 season.

05.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

HU VISITS BANEO PLANTATION

 By Aloysius Laukai

 The Taiwan Trade Commissioner, DANIEL HU today visited the Baneo plantation on the Northern tip of mainland Bougainville to see for himself the Cocoa rehabilitation program on that run down plantation.

 This plantation was the second largest plantation on Bougainville after Numa Numa in Wakunai Central Bougainville when the expart Managers and the workers left during the Bougainville conflict.

 It has been left to deteriorate over the years when the North Bougainville member came to re develop with some landowners three years ago.

 The visit by the Taiwan Trade Commissioner was to see the land and the environment and decide how best Taiwan can contribute towards setting some agricultural programs on Bougainville.

 The team later visited the Buka General Hospital.

 The Taiwan Trade Commissioner returns to Port Moresby on Saturday.

05.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

TRIO AT THE COCOA NURSERY

Picture of the Trade Commissioner and his wife with the North Bougainville member checking cocoa trees in the member's project.

05.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ATOI EYES FARMS FOR BOUGAINVILLE

 By Aloysius Laukai

 The member for North Bougainville,LAUTA ATOI wants the import of freezer goods into Bougainville stopped and Bougainville save money by buying locally.

 Speaking in Buka today when welcoming the TAIWAN TRADE COMMISSIONER,MR ATOI said that he wants Bougainville to go into Rice farming,Poultry and other activities like Cattle and piggery farms.

 He said he would like the TAIWAN Government assist Bougainville with setting of these farms and also build an abattoir to slaughter and pack these animals for immediate sales locally.

 MR. ATOI said that Bougainville can produce all these for the local market first and later look at exporting to other provinces within PAPUA NEW GUINEA.

 NEW DAWN FM understands that during the Christmas and New Year period all shops in Buka and Arawa ran out of a,l freezer goods as the ship comes to Bougainville once a month.

05.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

NISIRA WELCOMES TRADE COMM

 By Aloysius Laukai

 The ABG Vice President, PATRICK NISIRA this morning welcomed the Taiwan Trade Commissioner, DANIEL HU to Bougainville.

 He said that the ABG was working with the national members to seek assistance from possible to donors to rebuild Bougainville.

 He said that Bougainville was in dire need for assistance from donor countries and the arrival of the Taiwan Trade Commissioner was welcomed.

 He said that it was now up to the Trade Commissioner to see for himself which area Taiwan can assist Bougainville with.

 The ABG Vice President accompanied the Open member, LAUTA ATOI and the Trade Commissioner to visit areas on Buka island.

05.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

TAIWAN INTERESTED IN BOUGAINVILLE

 By Aloysius Laukai

 The Taiwan Trade Commissioner,in PNG, DANIEL HU says he would like to assist Bougainville get back tobits feet as the Prosperous region in Papua New Guinea in the past.

 Speaking at the welcome ceremony at the Buka airport, MR.HU said that he learnt alot of the Bougainville region however was happy to actually set foot on the land this morning.

 He said that Taiwan is one of the donors who had been assisting in many countries and was happy to see how they can assist Bougainville in future.

 The Trade Commissioner was able to see possible rice farm sites on Buka island today.

 He was able to visit the Lemanmanu Health Centre Kessa and Karolla beaches this afternoon.

 Tomorrow he would visit other sites on mainland Bougainville.

04.01.2013

Source: Post-Courier

Lera invites institutions to ARB

By WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE days of Bougainvilleans having to travel out to other provinces in PNG to seek tertiary education will soon be a thing of the past.

This is all thanks to Bougainville regional MP Joe Lera. He plans to immediately invite tertiary institutions and colleges to establish their branches and study centres in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

One of Mr. Lera’s soon to be implemented educational plans is the relocation of the Bougainville Open Campus (BOC) from Kubu on Buka Island to Arawa in Central Bougainville.

Mr. Lera has already committed K500,000 to construct the BOC buildings in Arawa.

However, he said that the relocation to Arawa will only be temporary because there is not enough land there to support future expansion of the campus.

He said the long term aim is to set up the BOC campus at Manetai village, which is also located in Central Bougainville.

Mr. Lera said a landowner from Manetai has already pledged to offer 40 hectares of his land, which Mr. Lera said is sufficient to cater for the campus’s expansion in future. 

The current BOC infrastructure at Kubu will be turned into a higher education institute where all the universities and some highly accredited colleges in the country can offer their courses.

He added that these institutions will all come under one management. 

Mr. Lera has also met with the executives of the International Training Institute (ITI) in Port Moresby.

He said ITI has accepted the invitation and is expected to start offering their courses in Bougainville starting next month.

Mr. Lera also has plans to set up three agricultural and technical colleges in each of the three regions of Bougainville.

Once all these institutions are in operation, then Bougainvilleans will no longer have to travel out of the region to pursue their tertiary studies.

04.01.2013

Source: The National

Taiwanese official tours Bougainville 

By ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

TAIWAN Trade Commissioner Daniel Hu and his wife arrived in Buka for a three-day visit to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Hu was invited by North Bougainville parliamentarian Lauta Atoi to see possible project sites in the electorate that Taiwan could help with.

Atoi is interested in rice farming, agriculture, poultry farming and the possible setting up of an abattoir and processing plant for beef and chicken products for local sales.

He said he wanted Bougainville to raise its own chickens and beef for local consumption.

He said Bougainville spent a lot of money on freezer goods that could save time and money by producing them locally.

Hu will visit possible agricultural sites on Buka and North Bougainville before returning tomorrow.

He has already committed equipment for the information technology centre at Kubu initiated by regional member Joe Lera and co-funded by Atoi.

03.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

MOMIS WISHES NEW YEAR

 BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

 ABG President Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS today wished happy New Year to the people of Bougainville on Bougainville and abroad.

 He said that the people of Bougainville have this unique opportunity that no other people of Papua New Guinea have and should work together to realize full Autonomy for the region.

 The PRESIDENT said that Bougainville in the New Year has a lot of activities to be implemented to build capacity so that the people can have the opportunity to contribute to nation building.

 He said that a lot of funds unused from 2012 would also be allocated to programs of importance to the region in the new year.

 The Chief said that funds from the ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA allocated for this year came late in October and would also be implemented in the New Year.

 He said Bougainville would start to see some activities in 2013 but called on the people to unite and work with their government.

03.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG PRESIDENT ON EDUCATION 

By Aloysius Laukai

 The ABG President Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS says Bougainville needs to educate its youths as they are the future leaders of Bougainville.

 In his New Year message aired on New Dawn FM last night, PRESIDENT MOMIS said that the ABG was very concerned at the number of school leavers going back to the villages every year.

 He said that the ABG was looking at establishing vocational and technical education facilities in the region to educate these people going back to the villages.

 Chief Momis says that they have already identified schools that would be established throughout Bougainville to train young Bougainvilleans on technical education.

 He said Bougainville must educate and train these people on Formation and character building.

 The President said that they can train these youths on formation as they will know the difference between good and bad.

03.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

NEW YEAR SALES

 By Aloysius Laukai

Despite the New Year Liquor ban New Dawn FM monitored that more liquor was sold last night from the back street liquor outlets.

 And because Police were monitoring the situation these sales were made secretly a source told New Dawn FM that many people still managed to get the liquor and move out before Police arrived.

 Despite these illegal sales last night the Buka town was quite with all its streets empty as the people celebrated quietly in their homes.

 One Buka town resident told New Dawn FM that today looked like a Sunday as there were not many people walking around.

 Work for the new year, 2013 starts tomorrow, Wednesday.

03.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

POLICE OPERATION

 By Aloysius Laukai

 Christmas and New Year Operation by the Bougainville Police Service and combined Bougainville Veterans Association members will intensify tonight throughout Bougainville to make sure the region oversees the smooth transition into the new year tonight.

Police cars in Buka

Bougainville Police Service and the Veterans started the operation just before Christmas and would continue into the new Year.

 According to the Buka Police Station Commander, AMMET TSIMES the operation has been very successful as the Christmas was celebrated peacefully throughout the region.

 The joint Operations are carrying out foot patrols in the streets of Buka town and have warned liquors stores to close on time tonight and not to sell any liquor tomorrow.

03.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

NAMATOA READY

 By Aloysius Laukai

 The famous NAMATOA village in the Tinputz area is ready to tap into any business activity that the ABG is initiating in the new year.

 A chief from NAMATOA, JACKSON TEOPUS told New Dawn FM today that since the road was fixed at the end of last year his people had already established small economic activities in their area.

 The chief said that they are also working at replanting new cocoa blocks as they understand that the ABG through its commerce division was embarking on ONE HECTAR COOA BLOCKS in the new year.

 MR. TEOPUS said that with the improvement of roads in the villages and the rural electrification program from the Ramazon hydro power he sees a bright future for Bougainville.

 He also called on the youths of Tinputz to get organized and benefit from spin off from development activities in their area.

 New Dawn FM understands that NAMATOA village was one of the first villages in PAPUA NEW GUINEA to have permanent housing project prior to the Bougainville conflict.

03.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Taiwan Trade Commissioner on Bougainville

by Aloysius Laukai

 The Taiwan Trade Commissioner to PNG,DANIEL HU arrived in Buka this morning for a three day visit to Bougainville at the invitation of the National member for North Bougainville, LAUTA ATOI.

 He is accompanied by his wife on this first visit to Bougainville.

 The commissioner would be visiting project sites in which Taiwan would be assisting on Bougainville.

 The trade commissioner after arrival in Buka was shown the site where the members will be establishing an IT centre for the University Centre premises at Kubu on Buka island.

 The IT centre is the initiative of the Regional Member JOE LERA in which the North Bougainville member will also contribute towards.

Pictured are the two Bougainville members with the ABG Vice President,Patrick Nisira visiting the proposed site.

02.01.2013

Source: ESBC

Just Published :

Bougainville Newsbook 2012

Today  the ESBC published its latest Newsbook. It is the most complete anthology of articles, pictures, facts and figures concerning Bougainville, its people and its economy. 

ESBC's Bougainville Newsbook 2012 contains 1,009 pages and is available in a downloadable 17 MB PDF file.

 Download here ! 

02.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Stone Praises Bougainville Police

By Aloysius Laukai

A long term resident of Buka town, Peter Stone has Bougainville Police Service for making the Christmas festivities quite and peaceful.

He told New Dawn Fm that in his twenty years in Buka this year has been the only quite Christmas in which no drunkards were seen on the streets of Buka Town.

Mr Stone said this was a sign for Bougainville and the Police and the Veterans Personnel must be praised for taking thee initiative to rid Buka town from drunkards who disturb women and children everyday.

He said that we talk aboutTourism but we do not provide the enviroment conducive for Tourism by allowing drunkards on the streets distrubing the travelling public and visitors to the region.

01.01.2013

Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

Momis on Capacity

BY Aloysius Laukai

ABG President Chief John Momis says that a Consultant was working on the structure of the Bougainville Administration.

He made these remarks when giving his New Year Message to the people of Bougainville .on New Dawn FM.

President Momis said that the status of Bougainville as an Autonomous Region needed a different approach in which the Administration must perform its duties to serve the Government and the people of Bougainville.

He says because Autonomy was a new Concept, the Administration had no capacity to operate fully to perform its activities.

The ABG President says recommendations from the consultants would then make the ABG adjust the administration to operate under the new arrangement.

01.01.2013

2013 – an Outlook

Last year marked  the most promising steps towards a re-opening of the Panguna mine ever since its closure in 1989. Nevertheless, the share price closed the year at AUD 0.512 (= minus15,57 percent) … quite obviously due to fraudulent - probably US-based - market participants in Sydney stock exchange during the last months. 

There is absolutely no reason why the current share price is supposed to be 40 percent lower than at Francis Ona’s death!

Unfortunately a weak an incompetent Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) does nothing to protect honest investors against fraud. In so far they are active complicit to criminal manipulations that trouble the market.

Unfortunately Rio Tinto as well has yet intervened to protect its own investment in one of their most promising mining projects in the future.

In so far 2012 has to be considered as an “annus horribiles” for investors.

Luckily 2013 announces positive prospects: Within the next months all steps for re-opening the Panguna mine by BCL will be accomplished, the fraudulent US-short-sellers will stop to push down the share price because with every short sell their activities are supposed to end in a financial catastrophe for them. We believe that the BCL share price will see an impressive turn-around during the next months that will soar the share price to AUD 3 or more!

We understand if shareholders are confused by the current situation. All investors in Bougainville Copper must understand that our company is in focus of criminal activities initiated by backdoor players, carpet beggars and fraudulent market makers. In so far manipulation of the market and highly volatile share price will still be present in future as well.

Bougainville Copper’s assets in copper, gold and silver are one of the biggest worldwide. As a major shareholder of BCL, Rio Tinto has to protected all honest stakeholders and investors in BCL and to guarantee adequate future shareholder value evolution.

Therefore we call on Rio Tinto to investigate on fraudulent market manipulation worldwide and to stop these activities as soon as possible.

Therefore we call on the State of Papua New Guinea to refuse visas to all foreign subjects who try to enter PNG and Bougainville to avoid future trouble caused by conmen such as Lindsay Semple, his Morumbi gang and others. Furthermore we also advise the PNG government not to entertain relations with doubtful foreigners such as the German citizen Thomas Bockhold.

Therefore we call on the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) as well to stop the fraudulent activities of conman Noah Musingku and his US-American partners at once. Furthermore we encourage the ABG to continue its policy of weapon disposal.

May I underline once more that everything changed towards a very positive evolutions of things on the ground. I would not be astonished if we see a share price in 2013 that is six times as high compared to today!

I wish you a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Axel G. Sturm

Bangkok, 01.01.2013