News 05.2011
31.05.2011
Source: The National
Ex-combatant says Koike allegedly lead criminal acts
ONGOING criminal activities in the Konnou constituency of South Bougainville have now spilled into the Kokoda district in Central Bougainville, former commander of Wissai Liberation Movement (WILMO) commander Philip Pusua said.
He said criminal activities allegedly led by former combatant Damien Koike had increased to such a degree that civilians “are being forced to pick up arms to protect themselves”.
“Koike and his men are using boats to call in at certain locations in the Laluai to Arawa segment of the highway, setting an ambush and patrolling to shoot down former WILMO members,” he said.
Pusua challenged the South Bougainville leaders and ABG to take immediate action.
He warned if no action was taken, more lives would be lost and the blood of the deceased would be on the hands of leaders.
“We, the leaders from Konnou and Wissai, will petition the ABG to engage a neutral force to address the lawlessness in our area,” Pusua said.
He said there was no political agenda in the Konnou conflict and the murdering of men, women and children and the confiscating of land by force from the landowners were criminal offences and human right abuses.
Pusua said he had revoked resolutions reached by South Bougainville leaders at a peace meeting on May 21 in Buin.
He said the meeting endorsed Buin peace team to approach Koike through peaceful negotiation to find a lasting solution for the Konnou conflict.
He said he revoked the South Bougainville leaders resolution because:
* Buin peace team endorsed by southern leaders was not neutral;
* Buin team failed to get Koike from Tonu and repatriate him to his home village at Mohoroi in the Konnou area, instead he alleged team members sent Koike to Wissai by supplying him with equipment for processing gold to buy bullets and weapons to kill landowners on their own land in the Wissai area;
* The Buin team had helped Koike buy an outboard motor which enabled him to move around and conduct criminal activities in Bougainville and Solomon Islands.
31.05.2011
Source: The National
Elders call for DSIP assistance
NORTH Bougainville council of elders have called on their newly elected national parliament member to commit his district services improvement programme funds to the council’s planned projects.
Member for Hagogohe and chairman of the Tahetahe Tsuhana village assembly Stanly Gimots said last Friday the MP should help provide funding for all projects in the 14 council of elders of his electorate.
“He should walk, talk and practise autonomy instead of wasting taxpayers’ money to entertain his cronies and election committee members,” Gimots said.
He said the practice of distributing funds from DSIP was not user-friendly to building autonomy in Bougainville.
“Bougainville MPs should redesign their methods of distribution to meet the autonomy arrangement the national government and ABG have adapted through the Bougainville peace agreement.”
He said the national government’s intention to provide DSIP for all open members was quite explicit, that it was for people-related projects to create economic and social development in each district.
“In Bougainville, the national government’s DSIP intention is the ideal vehicle for leaders to strengthen autonomy and move towards the region’s independence.
“But past leaders have failed to capture this to make autonomy work at the village level,” Gimots said.
He said the other option Bougainville MPs should consider was to arrange with the state and ABG for their DSIP funds to be included in the ABG annual budgetary support to facilitate autonomy building at the village level.
31.05.2011
Source: The National
ABG: newspaper made biased and unprofessional comments
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) yesterday expressed disappointment at an editorial comment published by one of the country’s newspaper last Friday describing it as “extremely biased and unprofessional comments”.
Referring to the Post- Courier editorial that ABG “is walking a tight rope” and is “caught in a corner when dealing with its former combatants”, Bougainville vice-president Patrick Nisira in a statement said ABG “does not need the irresponsible and biased reports of the media”.
He stressed the Bougainville government was committed to putting an end to the Konnou localised conflict and the “sticky” issue of arms disposal.
“The peace agreement that binds Bougainville with PNG in the process of deciding Bougainville’s political future and ultimate peace for its people is a joint creation by both governments.
“Journalists reporting on Bougainville matters ought to be familiar with this agreement and the laws that give legal effect to the agreement and the situation on the ground before they put pen to paper to express their personal commentaries on important matters that affect this arrangement,” Nisira said.
He said that negative reporting had often caused more damage than good in efforts to unify the region.
Nisira said that journalists must consult the ABG instead of taking advantage of their power to express their own personal views.
“The media has failed time and time again.”
31.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Left member elect Mr Lauta Atoi,Mr Reitama Taravaru and Mr Raymond Masono
31.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
LAUTA WINS ELECTION
By Tom Kathoa
The dreams and aspirations of the people of the Atolls of Bougainville to have one of their sons as a member of parliament has now become a reality with the declaration of candidate Lauta Atoi as winner of the North Bougainville Open seat by election.
Mr. Atoi who has contested two other past national elections has finally made it this time.
He contested the by election as an independent candidate, but with the endorsement and moral support of some parties in the likes of the New Bougainville Party.
At the start of counting, the member elect polled very well collecting votes in all the fourteen constituencies in the North Bougainville region.
His lead was never threatened by the other candidates as the margin between him and the closest candidate was always in the hundreds.
While candidates below him shared the lead, Mr. Atoi continued to cling fast onto the number one spot right from the start to the end and eventual declaration.
The finale figures of 10,463 with a difference of 5301 between him and his runner-up is confirmation of the great support the new member has from the people of North Bougainville.
The just concluded by election was caused by the elevation of former member, Michael Ogio to the position of Governor General in January this year.
Writs for the by election would be returned on the tenth of this month, with the member elect to attend his first sitting of the national parliament during this session.
31.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ABG commends Atoi
By MARIA LAUKAI
ABG deputy administrator for policy Raymond Masono in his congratulatory remarks urged North Bougainville new member elect Lauta Atoi to do his best in delivering basic development services to the people of North Bougainville.
He said Bougainville are intelligent people and are also free people.
Mr Masono said despite Mr Atoi being a member of a minority group, the people of Bougainville were genuine and intelligent enough to vote for the kind of leadership Mr Atoi would bring.
He added that there are people in the most remote part of North Bougainville who are crying out for basic services like education and health.
Mr Masono urged that these were the kind of services, leaders like Mr Atoi must aspire to deliver.
31.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Democracy thrives in Bougainville
By MARIA LAUKAI
Bougainville Assisting Police Commissioner ACP Thomas Eluh in congratulating North Bougainville member elect Lauta Atoi, appealed to all Bougainvilleans to work together to move the region forward.
He said Bougainville is a special case, because of the crisis and after the signing of the peace agreement that the region is constantly under the scrutiny of everyone including the international community.
He added that the election process draws a lot of attention and thanked everyone for proving critics wrong.
ACP Eluh said the people of North Bougainville have proven that Bougainville is a place where democracy thrives and indicates that Bougainvilleans are a law abiding and peace loving people.
He commended the Bougainville Police Service (BPS) for their selfless dedication to ensuring the by-election was conducted peacefully despite the officers not yet receiving their allowances from the K3 million that the PNG electoral commission is yet to give to BPS for its services.
ACP Eluh also appealed to candidates who lost to forget their differences and work with the new member elect.
He said politics is a dirty game and if leaders are not careful, politics can divide the people.
ACP Eluh urged that the leaders put aside their differences and work together to serve the people of Bougainville
31.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Lauta Atoi pledges to deliver
By MARIA LAUKAI
North Bougainville member elect Lauta Atoi, in accepting his new role, thanked everyone for their support and also acknowledged members of the New Bougainville Party and churches in Buka for their prayers and assistance.
To all his voters and campaign team, he urged that they stay focused on their primary reason for contesting the by-election.
He added that the wining of the by-election was just the beginning of their journey and urged that they stay focused on delivering the immediate needs of the North Bougainville people.
Mr. Atoi said his short term plans were to complete all incomplete projects of the former member like delivery of water tanks and assisting the people of the west coast atolls.
While his medium and long term plans were to focus on boosting the economic growth of the North region.
He urged told supporters and witnesses that there was no time to celebrate as he had only six months to take care of the people of North Bougainville.
Mr Atoi also invited the candidates who lost and their supporters to work closely with him.
He told witnesses at the declaration ceremony today that his opponents had very good ideas which they could together work on for a better Bougainville.
31.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Atoi wins North Bougainville seat
By MARIA LAUKAI
Businessman Lauta Atoi is the new member elect for the North Bougainville open seat after racing to victory with 10,463 votes over his final eliminated opponent and only female candidate Rachael Opeti Konaka.
Ms Konaka completed the by-election contest with 5,162 votes. Mr Atoi will now occupy for the next six months, the North Bougainville open seat left vacant by former member and Governor General of PNG Sir Michael Ogio.
In congratulating Mr Atoi on his win, Bougainville Electoral Commisioner and returning officer Reitama Taravaru said generally, the election was peaceful and carried out with respect.
He thanked the PNG and Bougainville electoral commission officers, volunteers and the Bougainville Police Service for a job well done before declaring Mr. Atoi as the new member elect
31.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
RACHAEL A REAL FIGHTER
By Tom Kathoa
Women in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have a place in the politics and governance of the region.
The result of the lone female candidate, Rachael Opeti Konaka in the just completed North Bougainville Open by election speaks volume of the potential women have and can contribute to the development of the region in all areas of activity.
MS. Konaka has put up a good fight against her more experienced male candidates defeating twenty of them to secure the number two spot in the race.
She polled 5162 votes to be all the other male candidates except for candidate Lauta Atoi who has won the by election convincingly with a total of 10,463 votes.
Ms. Konaka did not do well on preferential votes, but did very well on the number two votes which elevated her to be the runner-up to the winning candidate.
The finale count again for the top three candidates are; Lauta Atoi winning with 10,463 in second place is Rachael Opeti Konaka on 5,162 and in third place is PDM candidate, Damien Kora who collected 5,146 votes.
The finale result was arrived at following the elimination of candidate Donald Hamau to give Lauto the final winning and deciding votes.
Right Ms Rachel Opeti Konaka with her friend as a male supporter looks on
31.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
North Bougainville Open Seat by Election update
By Maria Laukai
After exclusion number 18 the results as follows: Louta Atoi 10,463, Rachel Opeti Kanoka 5,164 & Damien Kora 5,146. Counting suspended till 10am 31May11. But the absolute majority is 10,386. 12midnight
North Bougainville open seat by election results after exclusion 18 Louta Atoi 10,463,Rachel Opeti Kanoka 5,162 n Damien Kora 5,146.
absolute majority 10,386. counting suspended till 10am 310511
30.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Buin Secondary gets new computer lab
By GORETHY KENNETH
THE Buin Secondary School may be the first school on Bougainville to boast a complete state-of-the-art computer lab - thanks to efforts from dedicated teachers, parents and students.
The Bougainville Engineering Construction Limited built a computer lab for the school under a K2 million contract to construct 13 buildings, most of them dormitories, classrooms and teachers houses.
The lab was part of the contract, which is now complete and has all computer facilities installed to serve the student population.
The computer lab holds about 100 computers, just waiting to be connected in June and once ready, more than 765 students will have access to the outside world through internet service and facilities.
BECL executive Michael Pakei had a tour of the school facilities, checking on the completed buildings including the computer laboratory which is the school’s pride.
School executives were also very happy that the lab is now complete and students can have access to learning about internet, computer and everything else connected with computers and its uses.
The teachers said once the lab is up and running by the first week of June, one part of the building with 50 computers would be used by upper grades (11 and 12) and the other by lower grades (9 and 10).
There are 765 students from all over Bougainville attending Buin Secondary School.
Most transfers have come from Nissan because of difficulties of transport going to and from school.
30.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville running out of time
BOUGAINVILLE is facing possibility of not meeting requirements of referendum and independence if it fails to handle outstanding issues seriously, a top private sector representative says.
Outstanding issues facing the Bougainville administration include bills it owes to business houses for services rendered many years ago, weapons disposal program, emergence of Asian businesses in Bougainville and issue of referendum and independence.
Bougainville Chamber of Com-merce has accused ABG administration for not taking referendum and independence seriously because of these outstanding issues.
BCC executive Thomas Rabanz told Post-Courier yesterday that the administration “does not know where its priorities are and it does not know how to set priorities”.
Mr Momis, as a leader, he should not be blamed for this if there is any failure.
“His implementers are the ones. Evidence of lack of total negligence is based on not paying attention to service rendered,” Mr Rabanz said.
“The 2004 NEC approved list is still not yet settled. It’s not Mr Momis’ job to administer this and sort this out, it is the administration’s job. Business leaders have passed away with pressure from this and I pay tribute to the JOMIK boss and Cletus Harepa.
“Also, weapons disposal should not prolong the issue of independence or referendum. It is the duty of the administration to find a solution. Does the administration know where to go?
“I’ve also a big concern for Asians coming into the region to do business but again it is not Momis’ issues to sort out, it is the work of the administration to handle.”
30.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Atoi leads Bougainville race
By GORETHY KENNETH
ABOUT 10 candidates with less than 1000 votes for the North Bougainville Open Seat by-election would have been eliminated by this morning.
Last night, up until 9pm, counting and polling officials were carrying out quality check on ballot papers to ensure they were balanced with the figures put out in public.
This was after counting was disrupted over the weekend because of disputes over several ballots boxes from mainland Selau and Tinputz.
Scrutineers of a candidate petitioned returning officer/election manager Reitama Taravaru over two boxes in Selau and Tinputs and the issue was brought about again over the weekend.
While this was going on, several supporters of other candidates were allegedly seen with guns, purportedly for security reasons.
It was also alleged that a certain candidate was conniving with Mr Taravaru through secret meetings during the counting but outside the counting area.
But Taravaru has brushed aside the allegations, claiming the “maclicious” story was not true.
Meanwhile, the scores for the candidates before the quality check and elimination process were as follows: independent candidate Lauta Atoi at 5,858 votes followed by Peoples Democratic Movement’s Damien Kora at 3,265 votes, Peoples National Congress man Donald Hamao was trailing closely with 3,194 votes. Lone female candidate Rachel Opeti Konaka was trailing fifth with 1768 votes after Lawrence Belleh with 1919 votes.
Mr Taravaru said last night, the absolute majority was 13, 541 votes which none of the candidates had.
There were a total of 27,951 ballot papers issued, which indicated the number of people that voted.
It is expected that the new Member for North Bougainville would be announced tomorrow.
30.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Vessel stuck in Bougainville over scrap metal scam
By GORETHY KENNETH
A NEW Caledonian based vessel chartered by Indonesian tycoons is stranded in Arawa after locals conned them over scrap metal business operations in the region.
The vessel arrived on the shores of Arawa, berthing at Loloho for the last three weeks with no-one to receive them.
But a crew member last week told the Post-Courier that one of the local men emailed pictures of piles of scrap metals at Loloho in January to the owner of the company that chattered the vessel. The pictures and the information provided to the Indonesian tycoon detailed more than 10 piles of scrap metals and the agents to contact, including a particular Bougainvillean who made communication with them to start the negotiations for the scrap metal operations.
“And with those pictures, our boss fell for the trap and made arrangements to travel to Loloho to pick the scrap metal, without checking with the authorities on the ground. Our boss had to hire this ship from New Caledonia and then we find there is nothing.We were very disappointed because the metals have disappeared and someone else is in charge of the ones now at the Loloho wharf,” they said
There are two groups of local agents cleaning up Loloho, in preparations for any negotiations. One of the groups are those legally instituted by the ABG on behalf of BCL/Rio Tinto, while the other is a private run company with connections abroad to help clean up the same place as well.
30.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Cholera centre to close
By GORETHY KENNETH
BOUGAINVILLE’S cholera treatment centre may face a shut down if authorities do not seriously address the critical issue they are facing.
Officials and cleaners from Lemanmanu cholera treatment centre have echoed that the operation is in chaos, cleaners are planning a strike because there has been no allowances for five weeks, cholera funds have been exhausted and the cleaners want the cholera task force to provide full detailed financial report on expenditures since the breakout.
The clinical staff said over the weekend that the major component of the program on containing cholera was under threat because of severe lack of funds which included:
- water and sanitation;
- surveillance and
- clinical management
“Another issue is that it is a condition of employment which the task force should make readily available or address immediately. If these areas are not properly funded, we are fighting a losing war against cholera in Haku,” the clinical staff sounded the warning.
The officials have presented these issues to the Cholera Task Force in a petition form but claim that to date, nothing has been done about it.
But last Friday, the executives of the Cholera Task Force said there was misinformation sent out on the issue of funding although they claimed the force was facing a severe financial crisis to address the cholera issue. They also said the number of cases was now being contained and despite the rise in patients brought to Lemanmanu, officials are working very hard and managed to contain the disease from spreading further.
30.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Appeal filed against judge
By JOSHUA ARLO
ACTING judge Justice Royale Thompson is a subject again to another court action.
This time it is an appeal filed against the National Court decision dismissing alleged criminal charges that had been laid against the acting judge after she was appointed to the bench of the judiciary over an alleged illegal action when she was supposedly acting for a client before her appointment.
Law firm Namani and Associates Lawyers filed the appeal on the basis that Justice Catherine Davani’s decision erred in law and fact in several instances in her decision which effectively stayed three police information laid against Justice Thompson. The information relates to a case in which the acting judge was taking carriage of when she was a lawyer. They seek in the filed appeal to declare that the proceeding in which Justice Davani presided over was an abuse of court process in that there was no proceeding in the District Court against the acting judge to stay. Other orders also sought, includes the uplifting and quashing of the National Court’s decision on April 14, 2011, permanently staying the criminal charges and prosecutions of the acting judge as an abuse of process and contrary to section 197 of the Constitution, and also an order to allow for the charges to proceed through the committal process. The facts of the case relates to UBT Fjord oil tanker vessel that was seized by the Customs Officials and Police Officers on the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in August last year when the vessel loaded about 8194.67 metric tones of fuel oil worth millions of kina. The vessel was captured while trying to escape. A notice of seizure under the Customs Act was issued and the captain Moe Hein was charged. Released on a K100,000 bail while waiting for his trial at the National Court in Kokopo, he escaped and a warrant for his arrest was issued. While the criminal proceedings were still on, the vessel is reported to have escaped from the harbor on January 8, this year. Commissioner for Customs, Garry Juffa released a media statement four days later to get the attention of the National Government to address it as a matter of national interest and security.
The acting judge, Ms Thompson, who was then the lawyer for the owners of the ship, caused to be published in the Post-Courier a paid advertisement, allegedly purporting to be a spokesperson for the company refuted that there was a court order stopping the ship, and if there was someone who was responsible for the ship’s escape, it would be the police and customs officials.
Mr Juffa laid a formal complaint to police to investigate who perverted the course of justice. Superintendent Sylvester Kalaut, East New Britain Provincial Police Commander investigated the matter and traced it to the acting judge and arrested her on April 1 for perverting the course of justice.
Released on bail the same day, she, through Steeles Lawyers, took restraining orders against the police from proceeding any court orders to gag the print media from covering the case.
30.05.2011
Source: The National
ABG assures Bougainville is stable
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government has denied it is “walking on a tight rope” as implied by the editorial of Post-Courier last Friday.
In a statement yesterday, Bougainville vice-president Patrick Nisira said: “The ABG neither is caught in any corner when dealing with its former combatants, there seems to be no real threat to its leadership, and the leadership does not see any dicey situations in Bougainville that it is unable to handle.”
He reaffirmed that the “freedom” enjoyed by Bougainville today belonged to all Bougainvilleans and not any particular armed group.
Nisira said although it was quite a difficult and risky task, the Konnou law and order situation was a priority of the ABG.
He said the autonomous government “is doing all it can to address the situation by encouraging reconciliation among the factions, bringing police closer to the people and with PNG government and aid donor agencies, bringing about development projects as requested by the local community”.
“All efforts are being made by the chiefs, church groups, peace committees, former combatants, public servants, national MPs and the member for Konnou in the ABG in their endeavour to put a halt to the senseless killings of 55 men, women and children by one Damien Koike in South Bougainville were made in consultation with the ABG and the council of elders of the area.
“Even the President, John Momis has had his own interventions with Koike,” Nisira said.
He said the situation in Konnou could have been addressed more speedily had the ABG engaged other armed groups which showed support for the ABG.
“However, ABG believes the barrel of the gun is not the answer to Konnou’s problems.
“Our policy with the remaining armed groups is “peace by peaceful means,” he said.
He said the ABG had established contact with Koike who had in turn expressed a desire to talk to the Bougainville government.
“I believe he is reasonable and sincere to work with me to find a solution to his problems.”
30.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Counting slow
By Tom Kathoa
Officials and supporters of candidates for the North Bougainville by-election had to wait for hours for the resumption of counting yesterday.
This was after counting was suspended on Saturday when scrutineers of a few candidates disrupted the counting process over allegations that a few leading candidates had bribed their voters.
Suspension was lifted by Bougainville electoral commissioner and returning officer Reitama Taravaru at 1 pm yesterday and officials went straight into quality check to ensure that all the ballot papers already counted in the first preference were in order to avoid before elimination began.
Elimination count began at two o’clock this morning (Monday) and is expected to continue until midday tomorrow.
30.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Atoi still on the lead
By Tom Kathoa
A former rugby league international player and businessman, Lauta Atoi has a commanding lead over his opponents in the North Bougainville by election count.
Candidate Lauta from the start of counting on Wednesday last week establish a clear lead over his rivals.
He has not only maintained the lead, but widens it on every count collecting votes in every ballot box opened.
Following closely is PDM candidate, Damien Kora and PNC Party man, Donald Hamao both with more than three thousand votes each.
The vote difference between Lauta and Kora is more than 2,000 votes.
The only female candidate, Rachael Opeti Konaka has grabbed the fourth sport from a former ABG member, Lawrence Belleh Kabul.
And four other former ABG members are contesting this election, Joseph Watawi, Ezekiel Masatt, Taihu Pais and Marcellen Getsi Laris
29.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
MOBILE PHONE WORKSHOP
By Aloysius Laukai
New Dawn FM in association with the Commonwealth of Learning was able to get a trainer from the Communication Link in the Solomon Islands
to train its staff to understand the use of Mobile phones in diseminating information to the people of Bougainville.
And as usual New Dawn FM was also able to invite its partners like the ABG, Inter church Womens Forum, Community Development office, World Vision, Care International to attend the workshop.
The participants now know which mobile phones are suitable of doing many things example is the use of mobile phone to answer calls and give update on the North Bougainville By election counting.
New Dawn FM was able to use this technology during this counting.
The system would also be utilized in other programs later.
Pictured are participants of this seminar showing off their mobile phones.
29.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
NBP Fundraising
By Aloysius Laukai
The New Bougainville Party last week had its first fundraising Corporate dinner at the residence of the ABG President Chief John Momis.
The chief is the parliamentary leader of the party.
In his welcome speech ABG President JOHN MOMIS said that he was happy the many followers had attended the fundraising dinner.
He said the party has to have funds to operate the first fundraising was good for the party.
Chief Momis said that for a member to work properly he has to have money what the party was doing will support their members in parliament.
Meanwhile, the Party President, CHRIS BENGKO in welcoming the gathering said that the party would be starting a Business to help support the party.
He said a company has been registered to start with Fuel wholesaling.
Pictured are Tourism and Hospitality Students from Bishop Wade Secondary School who cooked and served food at the party.
Some more pictures of our students:
Picture of the Executives of the Bougainville Association
Israel still holding on the yellow envelope
29.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
President Donates
By Aloysius Laukai
ABG President Chief John Momis yesterday met with the Bougainville Students attending University of Papua New Guinea.
MR. MOMIS who is on Business in the National Capital had time to spare and talked with the Bougainville students concerning awareness throughout the Region.
The students last Christmas holiday did some awareness in Bougainville but due to financial constraints they were not able to cover the entire island.
At yesterday's meeting MR. MOMIS Promised to give some funds to the students to carry out awareness during the coming Christmas Holiday.
He said that a team from the ABG would be visiting Universities throughout the country before the end of the year to brief them on the issues they will carry out.
MR. MOMIS said that as Bougainville's future leaders they should be involved in carrying out critical awareness on the Bougainville Peace process.
Pictured is President Momis handing K5,000 to the President of the Bougainville Student's Association, Israel Pais - picture by Aloysius Laukai
27.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Planning workshop underway in Arawa
By AL
A planning workshop critical to ABG aligning its planning processes with the government of PNG’s Medium Term Development Plans and Millennium Development goals and strategies will end tomorrow.
Facilitated by the National Department of Planning and Monitoring, the workshop is underway at the Sharpe Memorial Center in Arawa.
The workshop is vital to enable ABG to set the phase for structuring of the ABG development plans which will assist with the draw-down of the K500 million commitment by the state to ABG over the next five years.
The workshop is attended by staff of department of national planning,
ABG divisional Chief Executive Officers, Regional Commissioners,
District Executive Managers, First Secretaries, and development
partners including AusAid and UNDP personnel.
27.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Me’ekamui invites stakeholders to Panguna mine talks
By AL
Me’ekamui Tribal Government has insisted it will not allow anyone to reopen the Panguna mine until all outstanding issues are resolved.
President Philip Miriori said today that as opposed to reports by Australian newspaper on May 19 that BCL owns the Panguna mine, “BCL – Rio Tinto has no rights to Panguna and any discussions or commitments with anyone including PNG or ABG was counterproductive.”
He added that the Me’ekamui government who control the assets at Panguna and all natural resources within its borders, refute Bougainville president John Momis’ authority to enter into any understandings or agreements with Me’ekamui owned land.
Miriori personally invites the Acting PM, Minister for National Planning, Minister for Mining, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chief Legal Counsel from the PNG Government, ABG President, Vice President, Minister for Mining and Legal Counsel and BCL-Rio Tinto chairman, Secretary and Legal Counsel to an open-dialogue meeting at Hilton Hotel in Cairns, Australia, to settle all unresolved issues.
He urged that the individuals attending the meeting planned for June 14 to 17, must bring with them all licenses, documents and relevant materials to enable all parties to discuss all issues with truth and honesty.
Miriori urged that all parties act wisely in their pursuit of closure and future promise.
He added that the meeting is not a media event but an honest effort to bring all parties together in gaining resolve.
Miriori asked that the stakeholders email their RSVP to Me’ekamui Foreign Affairs minister Pius Taboa on cefeida1taboa@gmail.com by June 3.
27.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Acting PM commits K10 million
Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal has committed a total of K10 million to two major high schools in Central Bougainville.
Arawa High School and Asitavi High School have each been pledged K5 million towards sustaining the schools and preparing them to cater for the population if and when the Panguna mine re-opens.
The acting PM pledged this monies during his visit to Bougainville last Saturday to launch the Kokopau to Arawa K20 million road impact project.
Mr. Abal’s visit to Arawa was a milestone also as he was the first prime minister to land in the region’s former capital.
He was accompanied during his visit by Bougainville Affairs minister Fidelis Semoso, ABG vice president Patrick Nisira and Bougainville acting police commissioner ACP Thomas Eluh.
27.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Count Update
By D Laukai
Counting for the North Bougainville By-election is progressing well.
After count 31 the counting was suspended at 4:45pm and will resume at 00:00 midnight.
Progressive results are as;
Ezekiel J Massatt 1562
Justin Helele 379
Albert Toro 483
Joseph watawi 356
Donald Hamao 2571
Lauta Atoi 4346
Matubuna Tahun 46
Michael Ross 294
Marcelline Getsi 211
Joseph Gatana 107
Joseph Vilosi 915
Damien Kora 2605
Clarence Kosun 14
George Manu 533
Rachael Opeti 507
Joseph Baito 101
Taehu Pais 653
Sylvester Niu 168
Charry Napto 1168
Peter Mctobara 137
Lawrence Belleh 1632
This is the official update added and posted by the Electoral office counting centre this afternoon. This overrides all our previous reports.
27.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Project applauded by COEs
By JOYCE TOHUI
JOEL BANAM on behalf of the Bougainville Council of Elders said he was thankful for the road sealing project as the people of Bougainville have waited so long for such services.
He was speaking during the launching of the KOKOPAU-ARAWA road sealing project.
He told the Acting PM that Bougainvilleans for too long have waited for the time to recover to go back to its former glory days.
He urged that PNG has the responsibility to give Bougainville that hope until it decides to continue Autonomy or vote for referendum.
On the work of COEs, MR BANAM stressed funding was a problem and no work is done to help the rural population.
And he called on the National and ABG leaders to fund COEs to effectively and efficiently carry out its planned projects.
27.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SELAU an untapped tourist site
By JOYCE TOHUI
Constituency Member for SELAU in the ABG, TERRY MOSE highlighted last Saturday that SELAU has the potential for tourism.
Member MOSE told the gathering at KOKOPAU that SELAU has no silver or gold but there is a great potential for tourist destination in his assessment when moving around his constituency.
He added that his constituency is blessed with a dense of cultural activities, richness and symbolism.
MR MOSE strongly urged the ABG and National MPs to take note of his words as he recommended that SELAU is bound for tourism industry.
Meanwhile he said SELAU constituency is situated in the Northern tip of Bougainville and will remain the gateway of mainland Bougainville until the end of time.
And he appealed to his people to look after government services which will be implemented in the area.
27.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SELAU gateway to Bougainville
By JOYCE TOHUI
ABG Member for SELAU constituency, TERRY MOSE said SELAU is the gateway to services received by the people of mainland Bougainville but have been neglected for years.
He made these remarks during the launching of the KOKOPAU-ARAWA road sealing project last Saturday.
He believed the people of SELAU did have the power to shut or open services reaching mainland Bougainville as they have been swallowing and drinking dusts caused by highway traffic for many years.
However his people were patient and continue their luck for such long awaited impact projects
In acknowledging the National Government for this impact project, MR MOSE said this will help stop the health hazard affecting his people.
He believes the road sealing project will greatly boosts economic activities in Bougainville as people will have easy access to market their produce.
27.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Tension high in Konnou
By Fabian Gatana
TWO men from Tabago in South Bougainville were shot dead yesterday in a dawn ambush by followers of the notorious Damien Koike.
The victims were returning to their village when they were ambushed and murdered.
Former commander of the Wisai Liberation Movement (WILMO) Philip Pusua has called on the ABG Government and South Bougainville leaders to act quickly and negotiate with Mr Koike to end the Konnou conflict. This week, the Post-Courier spoke to the followers of Koike and asked why they were involved in killing innocent people. Koike’s soldiers said they were angry with ABG and other stakeholders for not adhering to their demands.
“50 people have been murdered, including women and children, in the Konnou Constituency area and more lives will be lost if authorities do not intervene quickly,” he said.
He said the Buin Peace team that was set up to hold talks with Koike are siding with him. Peace team also helped Koike to buy an outboard motor which is enabling him to move around and conduct criminal activities in Bougainville and the Solomon Islands.
“There is no political agenda in the Konnou conflict, the murdering of civilians and confiscating of land by force from landowners are criminal offences and human rights abuses,” he said.
Mr Pusua said the conflict is now spilling to Central Bougainville when Koike and his men are patrolling the Laluai to Arawa section of the highway, aimed at ambushing and shooting former WILMO members.
He said Koike has also recruited more members and increased his power.
27.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
ABG walking tightrope
BOUGAINVILLE leaders are faced with quite a sticky problem at present.
A faction of the rebel army that waged a 10-year armed rebellion against the Government of Papua New Guinea and authority in Bougainville is on the loose, it seems. The faction, led by Damien Koike, is once again striking fear in the heart of people in South Bougainville. Yesterday, they are reported to have conducted an ambush and shot dead two innocent people. Three weeks ago, the group declared war on the Autonomous Bougainville Government led by John Momis. Immediately after that, another group under the command of former Bougainville Revolutionary Army heavy, Ishmael Toroama, ran a campaign of terror in Panguna over a couple of days, firing gun shots into premises of businesses trying to start up in Panguna.
Now the Koike group seems intent on carrying out its threat of harming innocent people. They are doing that because they claim their requests for a number of things have not been heard by the ABG.
The ABG is caught in a corner when it comes to dealing with people like Koike. On the one hand, they are a group of people that needs to be listened to but by enforcing their demands through the rule of the gun and the threat of guns, it makes it a very dicey situation for the leadership of the ABG.
The ABG has a policy of not dealing with factional groups, especially those that are armed. This is because it does not want to legitimise rebellious groups that are armed by recognising them through direct dialogue or negotiation. It has a strong policy on disarmament and is observing this policy by not dealing directly with armed groups. Having established that as its policy, it now finds itself in a tight spot when it comes to these groups calling for certain “services and support’’ in the name of development for their areas. It is a case of talk directly to them and be damned or ignore them and be damned. The situation is such that it could re-ignite armed confrontation between the various groups in Bougainville. And let’s not kid ourselves, they are armed and well-armed. Forget the home-made seen during the crisis ... they have more powerful modern weapons at their disposal which they are itching to use. Any resurgence of armed rivalry will be hard to contain, given that under the peace agreement, PNG cannot have armed soldiers in Autonomous Region of Bougainville. The armed threat from Koike and others are an indication that maybe we have overlooked a few fundamental issues in the race to normalise politics and efforts to build the economy of Bougainville. Since the introduction of autonomy some eight years ago, nothing much has happened in the region. The people, at the time of being granted autonomy, had huge expectations about the place moving forward. Trouble is there is no money to drive many good ideas that are there on paper to propel the region forward.
Bougainville has depended on the goodness of aid donors and grants from Waigani to fund its development priorities. Very little or nothing has trickled down to the rural areas of the region. There is general frustration among the people and they are coming out against that. They do not understand that their Government has very little money. To them, they have their own Government now which must give them what they want, provide them the schools, the health centres and the roads to access markets for their agriculture produce.
The armed factions feel left out. They argue that the “freedom’’ and autonomy enjoyed by Bougainville is largely due to them and hence, must be given recognition and provided for by the ABG.
It is a hard call for the leadership of the ABG. Mr Momis and his administration is walking a tightrope. It cannot afford to tip the scale one way or the other which means, there is nothing much he can do to contain the Koike group running amok with their guns. He can only appeal to the good sense of the rebel leader to lay down arms and come forward for talks. Koike is throwing a tantrum ... unfortunately, a violent one, but it must be stopped before it triggers off reprisal attacks which could escalate into an unmanageable violent situation in South Bougainville.
26.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Calls for funding Council of Elders
By AL
Chairman of the Tahetahe Tsuhana village assembly and member of the Hagogohe Council of Elders (COE) Stanly Gimots has urged that whoever the winning candidate for the North Bougainville by-election must work with the COEs to fund COE planned projects directly from the national member’s District Support and Improvement Program (DSIP).
Mr Gimots said as part of strengthening the process of building autonomy in the region, the incoming member for North Bougainville to be declared tomorrow should help provide funding for all social, economical and spiritual development projects in the 14 COEs of his electorate.
Mr Gimots said the new member for North Bougainville should walk, talk and practice autonomy instead of wasting tax payer’s money to entertain his own cronies and election committee members.
He said the present practice of distributing funds from the DSIP was not user friendly to the process of building autonomy in Bougainville and urged that all Bougainville members of parliament redesign their methods of distribution to meet the autonomy arrangement.
Mr Gimots said the national government’s intention to provide DSIP was for impact people related projects to create economic and social development in each of the districts.
He urged that in Bougainville, the DSIP is an ideal vehicle for leaders to strengthen autonomy and movement towards the region’s independence
26.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
South Bougainville Leaders Meeting Resolution Revoked
By AL
Commander of Wisai Liberation Movement or WILMO Philip Pusua has revoked resolutions reached by South Bougainville leaders at a peace meeting on May 21 in Buin.
Mr Pusua said the meeting endorsed Buin Peace team to approach Damien Koike through peaceful negotiation to find a lasting solution for the Konnou Conflict.
However Konnou and Wissai leaders were excluded from the Buin meeting.
Mr Pusua stressed that they are the victims in Konnou which is the focal point of the conflict in south Bougainville and that must have direct say to the government to find an appropriate solution for the civil unrest in the konnou area.
He said his reasons of revoking the south Bougainville leaders resolution were that;
Buin Peace team endorsed by southern leaders is not neutral, the team members are in the same boat with Damien Koike
Buin team had fail to get Damien koike from Tonu and settle him to his home village Mohoroi in the Konnou area, but instead the team members send Koike to wissai by supplying him with equipments for processing gold to buy bullets and weapons to kill the land owners in their own land in the wisai area
The Buin team had also helped Damien koike to purchased an out boat motor which enabled him to move around and conduct criminal activities in Bougainville and Solomon islands.
Mr Pusua added that there is no political agenda in the Konnou conflict and there was nothing they could negotiate to settle.
He said the murdering of civilians men women and children, confiscating land by force from the land owners , these are criminal offences and human right abuses.
Mr Pusua urged that immediate action is needed in the Konnou area to prevent criminals from further killings and the continuation of hunting for human beings like animals.
26.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ABG ready to payout school fees
By AL
Application screening for the Bougainville Government school fee assistance scheme has been completed and ABG is ready to do payouts soon, said chairman of the school fee assistance scheme Raymond Masono.
Mr Masono, who is also the Deputy Administrator policy, said ABG had allocated K2.5 million to settle the school fees for Bougainville students in high schools, secondary schools, vocational and tertiary institutions.
He said the fees will be paid according to the total number of students enrolled.
Mr Masono explained that tertiary institutions under the assistance scheme policy and self sponsored students will receive 30 percent while HECAS students will get 10 per cent.
He also added that school fee assistance scheme does not apply to students sponsored either by ABG’s human resources division cadet scheme or Bougainville copper foundation.
He said there should not be any double dipping in school fee assistance schemes and appealed to the students to be honest.
Mr Masono is appealing to universities and colleges to provide the list of names of Bougainville students and their sponsorship level.
26.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Government commits to renovating Radio Bougainville
PNG’s acting prime minister Sam Abal last Saturday, made a commitment to see that NBC Bougainville is renovated and well equipped.
He made this commitment after visiting the run down radio station upon the invitation of Minister for Bougainville Affairs Fidelis Semoso.
Honourable Semoso who took the acting PM on a tour of radio Bougainville, told Mr. Abal that the radio station has since stopped many of its programs due to funds constraints.
Mr. Abal vowed to help look for funding in order to have the station run its programs effectively and efficiently
26.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Bougainville to benefit from Panguna Mine
Minister for Bougainville Affairs Fidelis Semoso has revealed that Panguna mine, if re-opened, has the potential to bring in K14 million for landowners yearly and K700 million in revenue per annum.
Honorable Semoso said this was based on information gathered from international economic experts who had dealt with the Panguna mine.
He said from the 19.1 percent shares being considered openly by the national government and ABG, K9.2 billion could potentially set to benefit ABG.
Honorable Semoso added that everybody would benefit, compared to the last mine operation and its landowner packages.
24.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Panguna high on govt agenda
PAGUNA mine is now one of the most critical agendas for Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government as singled out by leaders of these governments.
Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal, Bougainville Affairs Minister Fidelis Semoso and ABG President John Momis have reiterated this message to the people of Bougainville – the importance of re-opening the Panguna mine, which is important for the economy of the region.
Mr Momis had last week brought with him businessmen from Australia and Bougainville Copper Limited’s top boss Peter Taylor and Paul Coleman to Buka for several meetings specifically on mining, tourism, hospitality and other areas of investment.
Mr Semoso, who promotes the idea of re-opening the mine in every chance he gets to speak, said the mine alone would help power the economy of Bougainville.
Mr Abal singled out the approach the National Government is taking and how the Panguna mine is imperative and a priority agenda for the Government.
When speaking in Arawa on Sunday, Mr Abal appealed to the people of Bougainville to lay down their arms and move forward.
“Lay down your arms, they are destructive tools and pick up the shovel, your productive tools,” Mr Abal said. Minister Semoso appealed to “our good people of Kieta, our mothers, we can have all the businesses moving forward, you can have foreign investment coming to your doorstep but if the law and order is not in order, you cannot have the economy of Bougainville grow.
“I appeal to you women and men of Kieta, throw away the guns and let us move Bougainville forward,” Mr Semoso said.
Mr Abal said he believes that Bougainville has a bright future and the National Government has every responsibility to see that Bougainville gets back to where it was before the crisis broke out in the late 1990s.
24.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Abal vows K10m
TWO major high schools in Central Bougainville now have every reason to smile because their cry for funding has been eased.
Papua New Guinea’s acting Prime Minister Sam Abal pledged K10 million for Arawa and Asitavi Girl’s High schools to build, maintain and develop their facilities.
Mr Abal, who landed in Arawa on Sunday morning, was the first Prime Minister to land in the region’s former capital and was received by the locals despite the absence of the Central Bougainville MP Jimmy Miringtoro and other ABG leaders.
“I first landed here in 2006 with Sir Peter Barter briefly but it was still tense. Now I see these people have every reason to smile and it is good to see them dance, sing and smile,”Mr Abal said.
Accompanied by Bougainville Affairs Minister Fidelis Semoso, ABG vice president Patrick Nisiria together and Bougainville’s ACP Thomas Eluh, Mr Abal felt at home when he first put his left leg at the helicopter landing helipad to a rousing welcome by the Kieta Catholic Women’s singsing group and the traditional tsutsu to welcome him in Arawa.
He visited the Arawa hospital where he pledged a new ambulance for the centre. He was then taken to Arawa High School where he was emotionally affected with a speech that went on for an hour, eventually pledging K5 million to build the school, computer lab and make that institution to standard to cater for the population if and when the mine re-opens again. With a big feast for him at Arawa, he then flew to Asitavi High School in Wakunai where he pledged another K5 million.
Mr Abal and his contingent plan to visit Bougainville in the future to negotiate for better things for the region. He returned late in the evening to Port Moresby accompanied by the Minister for Higher Education Paru Aihi and Wahgi MP Benjamin Mul.
24.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
ABG explains fee scheme
By FABIAN HAKALITS
BOUGAINVILLE students in high schools, secondary schools, vocational and tertiary institutions will soon receive their school fee portion for this year under the Autonomous Bougainville Government School Fee Assistance Scheme.
Chairman of the School Fee Assistance Scheme, who is also the Deputy Administrator Policy, Raymond Masono, has said.
Mr Masono said ABG had allocated K2.5 million to settle the school fees.
“Application screening has been completed and we are ready to do the payouts soon,” he said.
Mr Masono explained that school fee payments for students in high schools, secondary and vocational schools, will be paid according to the total number of students enrolled. For tertiary institutions under the assistance scheme policy and self sponsored students will receive 30 per cent while HECAS students will get 10 per cent.
He said AES students are not eligible for the assistance. However, Mr Masono said that there is a shortfall of K1 million because after the committee made the final calculations, the figures K2.5 million exceeded to K3.5 million.
He said the committee is likely to reduce the per centage components of high schools, secondary, vocational schools and self sponsors to 20 per cent.
“School Fee Assistance Scheme does not apply to students sponsored either by ABGs Human Resources (HR) Division Cadet Scheme or the Bougainville Copper Foundation. Students sponsored by HR, their funding come from the ABG through to the division and they are not entitled to apply again for the assistant scheme,“ Mr Mason explained.
Mr Masono said there should not be any “double dipping” in school fee assistance schemes and appealed to the students to be honest. He is appealing to the universities and colleges to provide the lists of the names of Bougainville students and their sponsorship level.
24.05.2011
Source: The National
Support for autonomy welcomed
By SAMUEL RAITANO
THE people of Bougainville are singing the praises of the National Coordination Office of Bougainville Affairs for its role in educating and disseminating information on the Bougainville Peace Agreement and other fundamental aspects of their bid to achieve autonomy.
Arawa district manager, Lucy Traverts was among those who thanked the office for breaking down the information in the peace deal.
The office had been vocal in establishing peace in the once war-torn region.
Office acting director Ellison Towallom is the man behind the scene in paving the way for the future Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Educating the people is one of the fundamental functions of the office, which aims to prepare the people to make wise choices when voting in the referendum for autonomy in 2015.
The referendum will decide whether Bougainville will remain a part of Papua New Guinea or break away to become an independent nation.
A copy of the peace agreement says the three main pillars are autonomy, referendum and a weapons disposal plan.
These three issues are the core of the agreement, which had not been made clear or explained in simple language to the people until the office took the lead in doing so.
Towallom said the office was the coordinating body and link between Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
24.05.2011
Source: The National
Bougainville runs training for warders
A CAREER in the Correctional Services is a noble calling that requires specialised training in security and human behaviour, deputy commissioner corporate services Dominic Tomar says.
Addressing new recruits at the launch of the Correctional Services casual warders recruit training in Buka, Bougainville, last Thursday, Tomar said it was not a career for the weak and faint-hearted.
He said prison warders must be strong and committed.
He advised the 25 participants who will be trained on the roles and responsibilities of a warder over the next three weeks that the work of a correctional officer demanded loyalty to authority.
The casual warders pass out from training on June 10 and will be attached with the Bekut Correctional Facility on Buka Island.
“This is the life and mission you are called to. You have been selected from among many other candidates. Your selection is not a right. It is a privilege,” he said.
“With it comes the heavy responsibility to securely and humanely contain detainees and help in their rehabilitation and reintegration into their communities as law-abiding citizens.
“Consider it an honour to serve Bougainville and PNG in such a manner,” Tomar said.
23.05.2011
Source: ESBC
ESBC Homepage Reached 50,000 Visitors Worldwide!
"We are proud to announce that our homepage has been visited by 50,000 visitors within the last three years," says ESBC President Axel G. Sturm, "this shows to me that people worldwide are interested in Bougainville. With more than 500 sites our homepage became the biggest common in-depth-source on Bougainville, on culture and on economic development of the island as well.!"
Please read here the address of Peter Taylor, Chairman of Bougainville Copper Ltd.!
23.05.2011
Source: ABC Radio Australia
Australian business mission to Bougainville impressed
The Chairman of the Rio-tinto owned company, Bougainville Copper, Peter Taylor, says the Bougainville government and business community are to be commended for their resilience and foresight as they work to rebuild their economy.
Mr Taylor, led a delegation of 19 members of the Australia PNG Business Council on a trade mission to Bougainville, late last week.
For him, it was the first visit to Bougainville since the mine his company owns was shutdown after it became the catalyst for a bloody civil war on the island.
Mr Taylor says, being back was a very emotional experience.
Presenter: Jemima Garrett, Pacific Business and Economic reporter
Speaker: Peter Taylor, Chairman of Bougainville Copper Limited and President of the Australia PNG Business Council
Listen here !
TAYLOR: I don't think anyone should underestimate how important this visit was. I was there as the President of the Australia PNG Business Council. This is the first time that I can remember that a business delegation of this strength has visited anywhere in Papua New Guinea.
GARRETT: So what sort of investors were part of the delegation?
TAYLOR: There was a good range actually, we had a couple of banks represented. These were international banks: one an investment bank, one a major retail bank. We had members of Trade Commissions, from the Australian government and the Queensland government. We had people from the tourist industry. We had people from professional organisations, and professions such as surveyors, accountants and so on. So it really was a good representative body of business-people who may be prepared to invest in Bougainville.
GARRETT: And I hear you got a pretty fantastic welcome when you got there?
TAYLOR: Absolutely sensational. It was as if a king or queen was arriving. We had some traditional dancers welcoming us. We went through a traditional welcome ceremony. We had the President there to welcome us, the vice president, most of the cabinet and the senior administrators s one couldn't ask for a better welcome.
GARRETT: You also had a briefing from President John Momis and his cabinet and senior administrators - what did they have to tell you?
TAYLOR: They did and they were very welcoming. The re-iterated just how important it was for Bougainville to have the support of the business community and the Business Council. They emphasised to me some of the difficulties that they face, particularly things like attracting banks and insurance companies; the sorts of organisations that are so essential if you are going to develop business within the community. They also emphasised just how difficult it's been for them to get the seed funding they need to get commerce and business going in the community.
GARRETT: So do you think something will come out of this mission on that score?
TAYLOR: Well, I'm hopeful. I've spoken to a number of my colleagues who went along on the trip and they were very impressed with the people they'd met, with the President himself and his cabinet, and they are great enthusiasm to get Bougainville back to where it was 20 plus years ago.
GARRETT: You also met with local Bougainville businessmen. What did they have to say to you?
TAYLOR: Yes, that was an interesting experience because they were saying that they were able to, with virtually no capital at all, they've been able to start some businesses up -things like accommodation, trade stores. In fact, they were very proud that they had been able to replace some of the outsiders that were once there running these businesses and it is now a 100% Bougainville show, if you like. Their great frustration is not being able to expand the way they'd like because they can't get the finance.
GARRETT: So what sort of projects, ..or what really came out of this mission?
TAYLOR: Well, it was really a fact-finding mission if you like for both sides. They weren't quite sure what we could provide and we weren't quite sure what they wanted but I think it's a great first step and I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't a formal trade mission follow-up, maybe sponsored by Austrade or an organisation like that so there enthusiasm to continue the dialogue, to actually further develop the relationship between business outside Bougainville and business inside Bougainville and the government itself.
GARRETT: This was your first visit since 1987. How did it feel to be back on Bougainville soil after so many years?
TAYLOR: Well, you know I've got the photographs, I've got the mementos back at home so I've got these things but the impact of flying over those absolutely gorgeous islands as you are flying into Buka - just all the memories flood back. It was quite an emotional time for me, because I really did love the place and I long to go back and be able to explore it more fully.
GARRETT: So does this make you more optimistic about the re-opening of the Bougainville copper mine?
TAYLOR: Well it certainly reinforces my belief that the majority of Bougainvilleans want the mine reopened and I really think, having been there and listened to the business people and so on, listened to the support they have given me both as a business delegation leader and as the Chairman of Bougainville Copper that it really is achievable.
23.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Panguna Mine to benefit Bougainville
BOUGAINVILLE potentially stands to benefit from the Panguna Mine if it re-opens again.
Bougainville Affairs Minister Fidelis Semoso, based on information gathered from international economic experts who had dealt with the Panguna mine, said that Panguna alone, if re-opened, has the potential to bring in:
• K14,00 million for landowners yearly
• K418 million unprecedented
• K700 million revenue per annum
And from the 19.1 per cent shares being talked about openly by the National Government and the ABG, K9.2 billion could potentially set to benefit the ABG yearly looking at a total of 76.4 million shares at A$40 or K120 per share.
ABG President John Momis also endorsed and reiterated the importance of re-opening the mine and alluded to the statement by Rio Tinto/BCL overall boss Peter Taylor, admitting they made a mistake but were prepared to work along well with the landowners, the ABG and the PNG Government on the issue.
“The Panguna mine is worth much, much more than we were ever told.”
“Our people should have some faith in the Government because we can see that Bougainville does have a bright future,” Mr Momis said.
Bougainville Affairs Minister Fidelis Semoso told a crowd at Kokopau, the gateway to mainland Bougainville, that the Panguna Mine had huge potentials if re-opened and everybody would benefit, compared to the last mine operation and its landowner packages.
Mr Semoso read out in public that information he had from international/economic advisors said that the re-opening could have more than what was being received during the operational years.
23.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Abal gives K23m to Bougainville
ACTING Prime Minister Sam Abal officially launched yet another of Papua New Guinea’s major impact project on Bougainville over the weekend and presented more than K23 million towards developing the region.
Mr Abal, accompanied by Minister for Higher Education and Member for Wahgi Benjamin Mul presented K20 million for the sealing of the Kokopau-Arawa Highway, K1 million for the Kunua Selau main road and K2 million for the Buka ring road.
Mr Abal, who arrived to a colourful ceremony at the Buka Airport, followed by the Bougainville Police Service’s guard of honour as he stepped on Bougainville soil for the first time since the peace signing several years ago.
He was met at the airport by ABG President John Momis, vice president Patrick Nisira and his Cabinet Members including chief executive officers of all divisions in the region, Bougainville Affairs Minister Fidelis Semoso and all other important dignitaries.
The official launching of the 275 kilometre Kokopau to Arawa road sealing put smiles on the faces of the hundreds of people who gathered at Kokopau where the launching was held. Mr Abal, amazed and amused by two famous bamboo band groups, was told the days of “eating and drinking dust” would soon be over when the road sealing starts.
ABG MP for Selau Suir Terry Mose, in his opening remarks, singled out the bad conditions of the roads in Bougainville, which should never have been an excuse not to be sealed when the Panguna Mine was in operation.
Mr Abal also talked about the commitment that the PNG Government had for Bougainville. especially the K500 million allocations for Bougainville for the next five years.
“Bougainville, we love you. Bougainville, the rest of PNG loves you.
“You are beautiful people. God has not left Bougainville in fact he is working more on Bougainville. Bougainville does have a bright future,”Mr Abal said.
ABG President John Momis thanked the National Government for its continued support to Bougainville and said he was confident that the people of Bougainville would rise up from the ashes one day and be up again on the top providing for PNG again.
He said there were signs of regional stability and that Bougainville had a brighter future ahead.
23.05.2011
Source: The National
K3mil given for Bougainville roads
By STEPHANIE ELIZAH
ACTING Prime Minister Sam Abal on Saturday presented K3 million worth of cheques to Bougainville Affairs Fidelis Semoso for the upgrading and sealing of roads in Bougainville.
One cheque of K2 million was for the Buka ring road and K1 million for the 20km Kokopau to Siera road. Both were presented at Kokopau in Selau constituency of North Bougainville,
This was in addition to K20 million presented in March by Finance and Treasury Minister Peter O’Neill for the Kokopau to Arawa main coastal trunk road which Abal had the honour of launching on Saturday.
Abal, who was heartened by the warm welcome accorded him by Bougainville, said the presentation demonstrated the national government’s commitment to implement most of its project this year.
“Bougainville, we love you, the rest of PNG loves you, this is a token of the government’s desire to make amends. Sorry for the past that has happened but there is that decision to move forward to a brighter future,” he said.
Abal appealed to the people to stand together and take ownership of the impact projects underway for the betterment of the autonomous region.
“Having come here and seen the development changes that have taken place, I agree that you are a resilient people, with vision to rebuild your own region without waiting for assistance. I ask you to continue to work together to build a bright future for yourselves.”
Bougainville Affairs Minister Fidelis Semoso said he hoped the Kokopau to Arawa road project would be completed before 2015 so that the people could travel in comfort to polling venues to vote for either a referendum of independence or continued autonomy for the Bougainville.
“Bougainville will remain an integral part of PNG until our people decide for independence or continued autonomy. We are not lazy people, we are industrious people keen on contributing to regional and nation building,” he said.
Bougainville President John Momis acknowledged the national government support demonstrated through Abal, adding that he was confident the people of Bougainville would become prosperous.
“We have a dream were we will enjoy freedom, good health and education and work with the people of PNG to build this nation, the future looks bright,” he said.
23.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
The two leaders cutting the ribbon for the Road Sealing Project.
ACTING PM DELIVERS CHEQUES
By Aloysius Laukai
PNG acting Prime minister Sam Abal on Saturday presented K3 million worth of cheques to the Minister for Bougainville Affairs Fidelis Semoso for the upgrading and sealing of roads in Bougainville.
T he cheques comprise K2 million for the Buka ring road and K1 million for the 20 km Kokopau to Siara road on mainland Bougainville.
In March this year the Finance and Treasury minister Peter O’Neil announced a K20 million assistance to Bougainville during the Opening of the Buka Town market.
He appealed to the people of Bougainville to stand together and take ownership of the impact projects underway for the betterment of the autonomous region.
The Regional member for Bougainville, FIDELIS SEMOSO whilst thanking the National Government for the assistance assured the Acting Prime Minister that Bougainville will remain an integral part of PNG until our people decide for independence or continued autonomy.
Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) President John Momis in acknowledging the PNG government’s support said that he was confident that the people of Bougainville will get out of this dependency syndrome and become prosperous.
He said that Bougainville’s dream was to enjoy freedom, good health and education whilst working with the people of Papua New Guinea.
MR. MOMIS said that Bougainville will continue to rely on the PNG Government for funding support until some level of economic recovery is reached.
Ladies from a Traditional Group in Haku were part of the group that welcomed the National Government Delegation in Buka today
Aloysius Laukai
Picture of the Kumul Aircraft arriving at the Buka airport
AL
21.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Acting PM in Buka
by Aloysius Laukai
The Acting Prime Minister SAM ABAL is in Buka tonight and would be visiting Arawa in the morning before he returns to Port Moresby tomorrow morning.
He came for the Ground Breaking ceremony for the Sealing of the Kokopau to Arawa Highway.
The ceremony was witnessed by both the ABG and National Government leaders.
Pictured are the Bougainville Police Service and Traditional groups waiting for the Acting PM at the Buka airport this morning
Pictures by Aloysius Laukai
20.05.2011
Source: The National
Firms visit Bougainville
By STEPHANIE ELIZAH
A 20-man delegation from the Australia-PNG Business Council returned to Port Moresby yesterday open minded about the potential to invest in Bougainville.
They met with members of the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the business community in Buka, Bougainville.
Led by council chairman and Rio Tinto subsidiary Bougainville Copper Ltd manager Peter Taylor, the team spent yesterday learning from and exchanging views with the Bougainville government and business representatives on what the opportunities of doing business in the autonomous region are.
Taylor, who was teary-eyed when he stepped on Bougainville soil for the first time since 1987, said he was honoured to be back at the invitation of Bougainville president John Momis.
“Not in my wildest dream had I imagined I would be coming back and leading a business delegation to Bougainville.
“This is the first time APNGBC has sent a delegation to Bougainville and to other parts. We have set a precedent,” he said.
Taylor said it was wonderful to hear ABG leaders and local business community reiterate Momis’ invitation that Bougainville “is open for business”.
“This is the ‘A’ team that has come to Bougainville. Look at who they represent, we have two global bank representing retail and investment banking, we have exploration company reps, tourism, and trade and investment representatives of the Australian government.
“This is an important delegation thankfully here today for the betterment of Bougainville,” Taylor said.
Thanking the delegation, Momis said the presence of APNGBC on Bougainville affirmed the investment potential the region had.
He urged the people of Bougainville to do their bit by moving forward to attract good foreign investment with management capabilities and financial capital.
“APNGBC cannot do much for us if we do not sort ourselves out.
“Bougainville does not dictate business in the world yet it is endowed with natural resources but is opting to remain as beggars.
“Let us not be like a beggar, begging for food holding a gold plate.
“Knowledge, we may not have yet, let us build our intellect, forget the past and move forward to embrace a bright economic future,” Momis said.
20.05.2011
Source: The National
Morumbi wants to set up in Bougainville
MORUMBI Oil & Gas Incorporated has announced that further to its acquisition of Rockwell Exploration SA, it is preparing for an exploration programme in Papua New Guinea and establishing operations on Bougainville.
Morumbi, through Rockwell, will focus on oil and gas opportunities in what it considers to be an underexplored and underdeveloped hydrocarbon rich country.
PNG is poised to become a major liquefied natural gas supplier to nearby Asian markets with first deliveries set for 2014.
ExxonMobil, on behalf of a consortium, is constructing a US$15 billion liquefied gas project of two “trains” to supply 6.9 million tonnes a year under contract to Japan, China and South Korea.
Gas reserves of 13 tcf in the PNG Highlands were identified 20 years ago and had until now been shut in.
There has been little exploration for gas in PNG since that time.
Favourable PNG fiscal policies, potential size and quality of resource, location and the demand loads required for LNG post- earthquake Japan is driving PNG activity.
20.05.2011
Source: ABC Radio Australia Pacific Beat
Local voice needed in Bougainville mine talks - Namaliu
A former PNG prime minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu says he accepted a directorship on the board of Bougainville Copper Limited because it's important that the company has a local voice on its highest decision-making body.
Sir Rabbie was appointed a director earlier this year as it became clear that talks for the reopening of the troubled mine are set to begin.
He was PNG's prime minister during the first 4 years of the decade long civil war on Bougainville.
In 1997, Sir Rabbie played a mediating role between then Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan and the head of the PNG Defence Force, Jerry Singirok, after Sir Julius sent meceneries to Bougainville in what became known as the Sandline affair.
Presenter:Jemima Garrett
Speaker:Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Bougainville Copper Limited board member and former PNG prime minister
Listen here !
20.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Lawyer Comments
By Aloysius Laukai
A Bougainville senior lawyer says that the decision to spend K100 million to build the ABG Parliament house is not in the best interest of Bougainville today.
This follows the decision of the Regional Member for Bougainville, Fidelis Semoso to engage the National Coordination For Bougainville Affairs (NCOBA) based in PortMoresby to coordinate the work.
The Regional Member has stated that the decision to build the Parliament House in Buka was initiated by the previous government and that even if the ABG Headquaters is relocated to Arawa, the building will serve its purpose as a Regional Assembly for North Bougainville.
Lawyer Joel Minsipi Nawa says that this decision initiated by the Regional Member undermines the sovereignty of Bougainville Autonomous Government and is not in the best interest of the people of Bougainville at this point in time and does not serve the implementation of the three constitutional pillars of weapons disposal, autonomy and referendum.
He says that the Autonomous Government of Bougainville(ABG) is a sovereign and semi independent State unlike any other province in PNG.
In exercising its independence the ABG has full control over how it will spend any money available to it given by the PNG Government.
The ABG is at no obligation to comply with directives from the National Government of how it will spend the money.
Lawyer Minsipi said that the current K100million offered by the PNG government to ABG is part of the K500 million given to Bougainville to assist Bougainville recover economically.
He said that the money as discussed during the JSB Meeting in Port Moresby was to be used by Bougainville to assist Bougainville budget where there is a short fall and is not a tied grant.
The Regional Member of Bougainville is a member of the PNG National Parliament and not the ABG and as such must respect the semi independence and sovereignty of the ABG and must not dictate decisions as a member of the National Parliament on how the money will be spent.
20.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
FUNDS NOT ENOUGH
By Aloysius Laukai
A Bougainvillean Lawyer says that the priority of the ABG at this time should be economic, recovery process.
He said that he question of what is to be in the best interest of Bougainville refers to disposal of weapons and Law and Order, empowering Bougainvilleans to get into Agricultural and cash economy, free education for all Bougainville and from Primary to University level.
It does not make any differences on whether ABG's decisions made under the new Parliament Building built from the K100 million , in Buka will be more important to decisions made by ABG under the old ABG building.
You can still make best decisions when discussing under bush material houses than when discussing under expensive buildings.
MR. Nawa said that we must not forget that even the K500 million kina offered by the National Government to help rebuild Bougainville over the next five years is insufficient for Bougainville's recovery.
He said that the Regional member must refrain from dictating the spending of the K100million available to Bougainville and immediately let ABG decides on how the money will be spent.
He said that the ABG has an obligation to use the money to facilitate the implementation of weapons disposal, autonomy and referendum.
MR. NAWA said that the Regional Member has an obligation to facilitate the accessing of the K100million from the National Government and to hand it to the Momis Government to decide how to spend the money.
There must be close partnership and consultation between Mr. Momis and the Regional Member to access the funds and to spend it on priority areas that serve the urgent needs of ordinary Bougainvilleans today.
He said that the building of the Parliament House in Buka can take place in four years time and not at this point in time when Bougainville needs to spend the money on priority areas.
He further stated that the coordination of the building of the Parliament House in Buka from the National Coordination for Bougainville Affairs (NCOBA) based in Waigani looks suspicious and needs to be investigated. Coordination for the building should be the responsibility of the ABG in Buka .
20.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Momis urges Bougainvillians to move forward
By AL
ABG president John Momis has thanked the twenty member delegation of the Australian PNG Business Council for personally committing their funds and time to visiting Bougainville yesterday.
He said the APNGBC presence on Bougainville affirmed the investment potential the region had.
Momis e urged the people of Bougainville to do their bit by moving forward to attract good foreign investment with management capabilities and financial capital.
He told Bougainville leaders meeting with the APNGBC team yesterday that the business council cannot do much for Bougainville if the people of the region do not sort themselves out.
He said Bougainville does not dictate business in the world, yet it is endured with natural resources but t is opting to remain as beggars.
Momis urged the Bougainvilleans not to be like a beggar, begging for food holding a gold plate.
He inspired the leaders to focus on building the region’s intellect, and to forget the past and move forward to embrace a bright economic future.
20.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
APNGBC visit a success
By AL
Members of the Australia-PNG Business Council (APNGBC) returned to Port Moresby today satisfied at the potential to invest in Bougainville after having met with e Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and the business community leaders yesterday in Buka.
Led by chairman of APNGBC Peter Taylor, the team spent yesterday learning from and exchanging views with the Bougainville government and business representatives on what the opportunities are of doing business in the autonomous region.
Taylor, who was emotional when he stepped on Bougainville soil for the first time since 1987, said he was very honoured to be back in Bougainville upon the invitation of ABG president John Momis.
He said he had not imagined that he would be returning to Bougainville leading a business delegation.
He added that APNGBC had set a precedent by sending a team for the first time to Bougainville or any other province in PNG.
Taylor said it was wonderful to hear the ABG leaders and the local business community repeat Momis’ invitation that Bougainville is open for business.
Taylor was accompanied by 19 other members who he described as the ‘A’ team as they fairly represented Australian investors in banking, mining, tourism, trade and industry and exploration.
He added that the visiting delegates were very important for the betterment of Bougainville.
20.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
North Bougainville polling ends
By AL
Polling for the North Bougainville by-election will end tomorrow except for the Selau constituency which ended today.
This is because polling began in the Selau constituency on May 14 whereas the remaining 13 constituencies throughout North Bougainville began on May 16.
According to polling officers, ballot boxes from the 55 polling teams dispatched to the 14 constituencies will be stored at the Buka police station immediately after polling ends at 6 pm tomorrow to await counting on Monday.
Counting will be at the United Church building in Buka town which polling officers said may be inconvenience for counting officials as the venue is very near to retail beer outlets that often attract a large number of noisy drunkards to the area.
The polling officers said initial arrangements to host counting at the traditional venue for counting at Hutjena High school hall, was not successful as renovations to the building is still ongoing.
Bougainville Police Service Provincial Police Commander CLETUS TSIEN said he was not in a position to provide a security report as he has yet to receive updates from his officers attached to the polling teams.
He however said from observation, polling was very peaceful and well organized despite a few of the officer being turned away from polling venues because their names were not on the updated common roll.
Attempts to find out more about the common roll was not successful as Bougainville Electoral Commissioner Reitama Taravaru departed Buka yesterday for Fead Island to oversee polling there.
19.05.2011
Source: The Australian
Bougainville President backs Panguna mine
by Rowan Callick, Asia-Pacific editor
BOUGAINVILLE President John Momis has given his strongest support yet for the reopening of the copper mine there, which is expected to cost more than $3 billion but provide access to reserves worth about $50bn.
"In principle, the autonomous Bougainville government supports reopening Panguna," he told members of the Australia-Papua New Guinea Business Council, meeting in Madang, PNG, this week.
The mine at Panguna is owned by Bougainville Copper, which remains listed on the ASX, although it produced its last ore in 1988 at the start of a long and bloody civil war.
Rio Tinto owns 53.58 per cent, the Papua New Guinea government 19.06 per cent and other shareholders 27.36 per cent.
BCL executive chairman Peter Taylor said the company was taking a different approach, urging the landowners and the Bougainville government to take the lead in setting the agenda for reopening plans.
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"We need to do a better job of sharing the benefits of the project with the landowners and the government," he said. "I believe they need to have participation in the project so the fortunes of the mine are also their fortunes."
The Bougainville copper agreement would have to be renegotiated, he said. "The consensus is now firmly in favour of BCL being the preferred operator of the mine if it restarts. We are now opening a new chapter for Bougainville Copper."
Mr Momis, a veteran national politician and former Catholic priest, said his government "sees re-opening Panguna as the most realistic way of contributing to broad-based economic growth, and generating the revenues required (for the government) to meet the need of our people."
But such a move required broad-based support, he said.
The timetable was tight, he added, since a referendum on independence -- conceded by PNG among the terms for peace on Bougainville -- must be held between 2015-2020.
Early revenues were required, he said, so that the current autonomy arrangements were perceived as "delivering real benefits to our people". "In that way, when the referendum is held, Bougainvilleans will have a real choice -- between the actual benefits of autonomy, and the possibilities of independence."
The copper price has quadrupled since the mine closed, and the gold price -- the pit contains 12.7 million ounces of gold -- is up seven times. It is expected that Port Moresby and the Bougainville government will discuss the PNG government's equity, which Bougainville interests believe should be shared, or transferred.
19.05.2011
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Former PNG PM justifies joining Bougainville Copper
Jemima Garrett
A former prime minister of Papua New Guinea says he accepted a directorship on the board of Bougainville Copper because it's important the company has a PNG voice.
Sir Rabbie Namaliu was appointed to the board earlier this year as it became clear that talks on the reopening of the Panguna mine are set to begin.
The mine was closed in 1989 after it had sparked a decade-long civil war on the island.
Sir Rabbie, who led PNG from 1988 to 1992, says he thought long and hard before accepting the directorship and consulted widely on the matter.
He says he took on the post because Bougainville needs all the help it can get to restore services in the lead up to a referendum on independence.
19.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Referendum under threat: Chamber
BOUGAINVILLE faces a threat of not meeting the requirements of referendum and independence if its administration fails to handle issues at hand seriously.
And Bougainville’s second crisis will be the brains – the incompetence of people and their capacity to manage the affairs and issues seriously and administratively.
These issues include the bills they owe the business houses for services rendered many years ago, the weapons disposal program, the Asian businesses in Bougainville and the incompetence of the engine room (the administration) to address issues at hand -the referendum and independence -seriously.
Bougainville’s Chamber of Commerce (BCC) has accused the ABG Administration for not taking referendum and independence seriously because of these issues not solved.
BCC executive Thomas Rabanz said yesterday that the Administration “does not know where their priorities are and they do not know how to set priorities!”
“Momis, as a leader, should not be blamed for this if there is any failure. His implementers are the ones. Evidence of lack of total negligence is based on not paying attention to the service rendered.
“The 2004 NEC approved list is still not yet settled. It’s not Momis’ job to administer this and sort this out, it is the administration’s job. Business leaders have passed away with pressure from this and I pay tribute to the late JOMIK boss and Mr Cletus Harepa. Also, the weapons disposal should not prolong the issue of independence or referendum.
“It is the duty of the administration to find a solution. Does the administration know where to go?” he said.
19.05.2011
Source: Australia Mining
Bougainville Copper to reopen PNG mine
By Jessica Burke
The Panguna copper mine on the Papua New Guinea island of Bougainville could reopen within five years.
The operators of the mine, Rio Tinto subsidiary Bougainville Copper has learnt from past mistakes and will take a new approach to running the mine, according to chairman Peter Taylor.
Taylor made the comments at the recent Papua New Guinea Australia Business Forum.
In April it was reported that the company was considering reopening the controversial mine.
The mine was closed due to the civil war two decades ago and Taylor said the company wants landowners and Bougainville’s autonomous government to have involvement in the planning and profits from the operation.
He has outlined a timeframe of three to five years for the mine to reopen, but cautioned that despite the progress in the country, there will still be issues to deal with.
The company hopes to get talks on the Bougainville Copper Agreement underway this year.
Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown has given his opinion on Australian companies operating in PNG, saying they should have to operate under the same environmental standards abroad as they do locally.
He told Pacific Beat the responsibility lies with the PN government to outline the rules and restrictions on Australian companies operating there.
"We should have a requirement that Australian corporations acting overseas - whether it's in PNG or Bolivia - act according to Australian standards," he said.
"We require that as citizens, and we should require it of mining corporations.
"Secondly, Australian companies need to be much more open about the environmental standards that they are agreeing to in PNG, about the exchange of moneys that occurs in the political arena in PNG.
"There is concern that you can negotiate mining licenses in PNG if you have enough money."
Brown believes the concerns of local landowners in the country are being overlooked.
"[There's] a lot of concern by landowners that they just don't have a say - that they're being sidelined by the powerful connections between Australian mining companies and the governments of the day in PNG.
19.05.2011
Source: 24H dans le PACIFIQUE
Papouasie Nouvelle Guinée: réouverture de la mine de Panguna d’ici 2016- La filiale de Rio Tinto, Bougainville Copper, espère rouvrir sa mine de cuivre à Panguna, sur l’île de Bougainville, d’ici trois à cinq ans. La mine, l’une des plus grandes du monde, a du fermer ses portes il y a 20 ans à cause de la guerre civile. Peter Taylor, le PDG de Bougainville Copper, a déclaré que la compagnie ne refera pas les mêmes erreurs et entend bien associer plus étroitement les propriétaires coutumiers ainsi que le gouvernement autonome de Bougainville à la gestion de la mine.
19.05.2011
Source: The National
Taylor eyes BCL return in five years
THE Rio Tinto subsidiary, Bougainville Copper Ltd (BCL), says it hopes to reopen the Panguna copper mine on Bougainville within five years.
Bougainville Copper chairman Peter Taylor made this known to investors at the Papua New Guinea Australia Business Forum in Madang, Radio Australia reported yesterday.
Speaking in PNG for the first time since the bloody civil war in 1989 shut down the mine, he said BCL had learnt from past mistakes and was ready to take a new approach to talks aimed at reopening the mine.
Taylor said he wanted landowners and the government of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to set the agenda and take equity in the project.
According to Radio Australia, he set a three to five-year timeframe for the reopening but acknowledged that despite good progress on reconciliation there were still many hurdles to cross.
He told the forum that he hoped talks on the Bougainville copper agreement would start this year.
Taylor is due to visit Bougainville today at the invitation of Bougainville president John Momis.
It will be his first visit since the Panguna copper mine was shut down.
Radio Australia said Taylor would be part of a delegation of the business leaders meeting in Madang to visit the island in what was seen as part of a strategy by Momis to attract new investment.
The president said that the Bougainville peace process was well established and the island was open for business.
Momis said he would like to attract smart responsible investors who would create jobs and improve life for rural people in the lead up to a referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea.
Radio Australia reported that 90% of Bougainvilleans live in rural areas and Momis said it was essential that any new investment included them.
19.05.2011
Source: The National
Bougainville getting ready for arms summit
By STEPHANIE ELIZAH
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government is finalising plans to host a Bougainville arms summit in Buka town next week.
“The aim of the summit is to gauge the views of all stakeholders and how best the people and leaders of the region can work together to dispose of weapons and put an end to criminal activities using guns in south Bougainville,” Bougainville President John Momis said yesterday.
He said he was calling a summit of the widest range of leaders of communities in north, central and south Bougainville.
“I have some contact with most of the leaders of the groups.
“Most understand the problems and agree on the need for change but some leaders have difficulty controlling young men associated with their groups.
“I want the leaders to contribute to discussions of possible solutions that will work,” Momis said.
Momis, who returns to Buka today after attending the PNG-Australia Business Forum in Madang, said weapons disposal was a priority for his government and the summit was a means of uniting the people of Bougainville in addressing this cause.
The summit will provide the opportunity for ABG to seek the people’s views on a proposed plan of 10 principles for a new approach to weapons disposal on Bougainville.
19.05.2011
Source: The National
UN hears Bougainville human rights case
By STEPHANIE ELIZAH
WOMEN are the silent and forgotten victims in places of recent wars and ongoing post-conflict environments.
Such environments include Bougainville, Solomon Islands and Fiji, the United Nations Human Rights Council has been told.
Human Rights defender and member of the Haku Women’s Council in Bougainville, Marilyn Havini, said this at a Pacific side event for civil society input to the UNHRC in Geneva.
The UNHRC convened from May 2-11 for a universal periodic review of four Pacific nations – Palau, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Papua New Guinea where the Bougainville case was presented.
“The Pacific side event was a space for non-governmental stakeholders to present important and current information to nations and organisations on the human rights situation in their countries and to highlight critical recommendations to be implemented as a follow up to the universal review,” Havini said.
She said Bougainville’s human rights issues highlighted at the event included:
* Lack of investigative and prosecution capacity in the island nation’s justice systems;
* A need to identify the many victims of rape during war who suffer without counselling, medical assistance and justice mechanisms;
* The existence of guns in post-conflict communities and their “hidden” threat is an ongoing source of fear and intimidation to civil society; and
* The need for forensic recovery of dead relatives lying in mass graves that prevent development in major public spaces. The recovery of the dead would help in the grieving process to heal mental stress and ease suffering.
Havini said eight recommendations were made and now needed the government implementation before the UNHRC reviewed the Pacific nations in four years.
These recommendations include:
* Women human rights defenders of the Pacific and civil society ask UN and regional peacekeeping country stakeholders to help each Pacific nation’s weapons disposal programmes and to institute mandatory trauma counselling for all former combatants;
* Request UN help for Pacific governments in conflict and post-conflict nations to establish human rights commissions and transitional justice mechanisms that will address and redress the war crimes that were committed; and
* Request expertise from UN or referred agencies that can provide forensic teams to help the people in recovering bodies from mass graves and known sites where bodies had been dumped during war and conflict.
On her return to Bougainville yesterday, Havini said the recommendations and suggestions on how the autonomous region could implement these would be presented to key non-governmental organisations and government stakeholders.
19.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Business Delegation Arrive
By Aloysius Laukai
The Australia and PNG Business Council delegation arrived in Buka this morning for a one-day visit to the Autonomous Bougainville Region.
The 20 member delegation was led by the PETER TAYLOR the chairman of RIO TINTO owned Bougainville Copper Limited and a Bougainvillean Paul Nerau who is the PNG Business Representative based in Brisbane, Australia.
According to the program, the delegation will meet the ABG President at 0930hrs this morning and then meet the ABG Mining Minister, MICHAEL ONI at 1030am before meeting the Bougainville Business Association.
The group leaves Buka for Port Moresby tomorrow morning.
The group were welcomed by a traditional welcome ritual of washing feet and were also welcomed by the Acting President, PATRICK NISIRA at the Buka airport.
Pictured in Buka are from (left to right) ABG Vice President Patrick Nisira,Peter Taylor,ABG President Chief John Momis,Paul Coleman and Paul Nerau
19.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Momis Invites
By Aloysius Laukai
ABG President Chief John Momis told investors attending the Papua New Guinea Australia Business Forum in Madang that the peace process on Bougainville is well established and the island is open for business.
Mr Momis said he is keen to attract smart responsible investors who will create jobs and improve life for rural people in the lead up to a referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea.
As such, the president will be arriving in Buka tomorrow with a 20 head delegation who are members of the Australia and PNG Business Council.
The invitation is part of a strategy by Bougainville's President John Momis to attract new investment into Bougainville.
The Chairman of Bougainville Copper will be part of a delegation of business leaders to visit the island tomorrow.
Pictured is the 20 members of the Australian and PNG Business Council arriving in Buka this morning.
Picture by Aloysius Laukai
19.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
COEs request parliamentary training
By Aloysius Laukai
Council of Elders or COEs in North Nasioi have requested that the Parliamentary Education Awarness program be conducted in the COE areas including Panguna District.
Chairman of the chairman’s central regional COE combine conference LINUS DAKE said the request is based on a need for COEs to understand the roles and functions of the ABG parliament and the ABG members.
The COE areas include Kokoda, South Nasioi, North Nasioi, Ami Aming, Kongara One and Ioro one and two in Central and South Bougainville.
Mr DAKE said these COE areas were not visited when the parliamentary awareness team visited South and Central Bougainville early this year.
19.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
K100 million portion to build ABG office complex
By Aloysius Laukai
The Bougainville house of representatives office complex to be built at Kubu on Buka Island will receive funding from the K100 million special funding for Bougainville.
The K100 million is the first of the total package of K500 million for the next five years that the PNG government had committed to granting to ABG for the restoration and development of Bougainville.
ABG speaker honorable ANDREW MIRIKI and vice president PATRICK NISIRA were informed this upon their arrival in Buka on Friday by the regional member and national minister for Bougainville Affairs FIDELIS SEMOSO.
Mr SEMOSO also confirmed that he had received the building design from Mr MIRIKI and had engaged the National Coordination Office of Bougainville Affairs or NCOBA, to implement his political directive.
Mr. SEMOSO said the building will still serve its purpose in North Bougainville when ABG decides to relocate its headquarters to Arawa.
He added that the construction of the ABG office complex is in line with the previous government’s decision to build a regional building in Buka that would be used by the ABG parliament.
19.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ABG on proposed plan of weapons disposal
By Aloysius Laukai
ABG president John Momis said yesterday that he is calling a summit of the widest range of leaders of communities in North, Central and South Bougainville.
This is to address the issue of weapons disposal and the current use of guns to terrorize civilians especially in parts of South Bougainville.
The Bougainville arms summit planned for next week in Buka town will gage the views of stakeholders on how best the issue of weapons disposal can be addressed.
Momis, who returns to Buka tomorrw after attending the Australia and PNG Business Council meet in Madang said weapons disposal is a priority for ABG and the summit was a means to uniting the people of Bougainville in addressing this cause.
The summit would also provide the opportunity for ABG to seek the public’s views on a proposed plan of ten principles for a new approach to weapons disposal in Bougainville.
Early this month, ABG had circulated a draft of the ten principles to stakeholders, inviting feedback of these principles which would then be finalized and submitted to the Bougainville cabinet for approval.
The ten principles proposed included;
• Disposal plans must provide incentives, pressures and processes that respond to the different reasons why groups and individuals hold weapons,
• Disposal plans must include a process for actual disposal of the weapons that is accountable and transparent and
• Disposal plans may need to be linked to reconciliation programs that support weapons disposal.
Momis assured that upon feedback from stakeholders, he would re-consider the principles before submitting them to the Bougainville Cabinet.
He added that once the principles have been approved by cabinet, he would task his ministers to develop a realistic and workable plan for weapons disposal for Bougainville.
19.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Warders focus on prisoner rehabilitation
By Aloysius Laukai
Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) minister for Law and Justice honourable LEO HANNET on Monday stressed to 25 new recruits of casual warders under training at Hutjena on the importance of rehabilitating a prisoner.
He said rehabilitation should be the objective of the exercise of putting wrongdoers through correctional facilities.
He urged that when a prisoner walks out of a correctional facility, ideally he or she should walk out ready for a new life.
Mr HANNET added that as part of the rehabilitation, prisoners should be allowed to learn a trade, be it carpentry, plumbing, electrical or mechanical.
He said the prisoners should be allowed to do their primary, secondary or tertiary education while serving time in a correctional facility.
Mr HANNET advised that this is already happening in other countries and Bougainville could do well to follow.
18.05.2011
Source: gCaptain report
USNS John Ericsson crew rescues five near Solomon Islands
By gCaptain Staff
Civil service mariners aboard Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson rescued five people lost at sea in a small boat near the Solomon Islands May 18.
While conducting routine operations in the Solomon Sea May 17, Ericsson received notification from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers in Australia and Papua New Guinea at about 11 p.m. to be on the lookout for a missing commercial vessel.
At about 8 a.m. local time the following morning, Ordinary Seaman Tyrone Mouzon spotted a small commercial vessel with five individuals aboard waving frantically. Mouzon notified the watch officer, Third Mate Timothy Gervais, who alerted Ericsson’s civil service master, Capt. Richard Kirk. Kirk immediately ordered the ship to sail towards the small craft to render assistance.
“Visibility at the time was very limited by rain squalls so it was very fortunate that the mate on watch spotted these commercial sailors,” said Kirk.
Ericsson carefully inched close to the boat and the ship’s crew secured lines to the small craft. Safely secured alongside, Ericsson brought the commercial sailors on board where they received a medical examination as well as food and water.
USNS John Ericson
“The sailors were tired and dehydrated but they appeared to be in good condition,” said Kirk.
According to Kirk, the five Solomon natives said they were transiting between the Solomons’ Nissian and Bougainville islands when they became disoriented by bad weather and heavy seas, spending two nights and three days lost more than 35 miles out to sea.
“They had no food and water remaining,” said Kirk.
Ericsson’s crew was also able to salvage the small boat by placing a large net underneath the vessel, lifting it out of the water using the ship’s crane, and securing the boat to the side of the ship for transport. Ericsson then made the short transit to nearby Bougainville Island where the five commercial sailors, along with their vessel, were repatriated ashore.
Ericsson is one of MSC’s 15 fleet replenishment oilers that deliver aviation and diesel fuel to U.S. Navy ships at sea. Ericsson was in the region supporting U.S. Navy ships involved in Pacific Partnership 2011, a humanitarian and civic assistance mission in the South Pacific.
18.05.2011
Source: ESBC Research
Careful: Conmen ahead!
A doubtful small US-Canadian Company tries to get into Bougainville by spreading bold lies:
Morumbi/Rockwell http://www.morumbi.ca/ has published today in the DIGITAL JOURNAL a press release pretending to "Be First Mover Into Bougainville" http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/312118#ixzz1MhYQTUzS .
The ESBC judge such information as complete nonsense: "Obviously such releases are only prepared to mislead investors and to create uncertainty on the ground in Bougainville. The ESBC states that no stakeholder in the world class Panguna mine intends to cooperate or even to negociate with alegedly fraudulent companies. This is not the first time and it will not be the last time that dubious companies will try to participate in the up-coming boom in Bougainville," says ESBC President Axel G. Sturm.
Read more about Morumbi/Rockwell here:
18.05.2011
Source: DIGITAL JOURNAL / Morumbi Press Release
Press Release
Morumbi to Start Exploration in Papua New Guinea Following the Acquisition of Rockwell Exploration S.A.
- Rockwell Subsidiary to Explore and Develop Hydrocarbon and Mineral Resources in PNG - Rockwell to Be First Mover Into Bougainville
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - May 18, 2011) - Morumbi Oil & Gas Inc. (TSX VENTURE:MOC) ("Morumbi" or the "Company") announces that further to its acquisition of Rockwell Exploration S.A. ("Rockwell") (see Press Release March 25, 2011) it is preparing an exploration program in Papua New Guinean ("PNG") and establishing operations on Bougainville (an autonomous region of PNG).
PNG - LNG supplier to Asia .
Morumbi, through Rockwell, is focusing its review on oil and gas opportunities in what is still considered to be an underexplored and underdeveloped hydrocarbon rich country. PNG is poised to become a major liquefied natural gas ("LNG") supplier to nearby Asian markets with first deliveries set for 2014. Exxon Mobil, on behalf of a consortium, is constructing a $15 billion liquefied gas project of two "trains" to supply 6.9 million tons a year under contract to Japan, China and South Korea. Gas reserves of 13 tcf in the PNG Highlands were identified 20 years ago and have until now been shut in.
There has been little exploration for gas in PNG since that time. Favourable PNG fiscal policies, potential size and quality of resource, location and the demand loads required for LNG post- earthquake Japan is driving PNG activity. Exxon, its partners and others are now exploring for additional reserves to supply a proposed third LNG train.
Mineral Resources - EL 1767
Upon completion of the acquisition of Rockwell, Morumbi also acquired two mineral claims whose potential it is evaluating. In order to do so, Morumbi is assembling a technical operations team to carry out an exploration program on one of the claims, being EL 1767, a 34,100 ha mineral Exploration Licence on the North Slope of the Owen Stanley Range in Popondetta, PNG. The exploration program for EL 1767 is designed to build on prior work completed by Rockwell in 2008 including mapping, stream sediment sampling, ridge soil sampling and trench sampling. Although the prior program covered less than 10% of the concession, it identified two gold/copper prospects (Uko and Aime Creek). The current program is designed to identify potential porphyry targets for airborne magnetics, a 3D-IP survey and drill targets. This programme is expected to start in July. Of note, on two boundaries in surrounding licences intense advanced exploration activity is underway targeting large scale (greater than 2 million ounces gold equivalent) gold and / or copper resources.
PNG is noted for superior mineral geological prospectivity with several established world class gold and gold-copper deposits. Among the best examples along these prospective Neogene magmatic belts are the giant Grasberg Cu-Au porphyry-skarn district (204.67 Moz Au and 64.7 billion lbs Cu), OK Tedi (15.57 Moz Au and 46.3 billion lbs Cu), Porgera (24.53 Moz Au) and Lihir (46.1 Moz Au). Harmony Gold of South Africa recently announced the discovery of a 35 million ounce equivalent gold/copper/silver resource at Wafi-Golpu on the North side of the Owen Stanley range.
Bougainville:
Morumbi is pleased to announce that it is moving aggressively to partner with landowners in Bougainville.
The island is one of the world's best endowed gold and copper districts and has excellent potential for the discovery of additional world class gold-copper deposits. It is host to the Panguna Mine which has in excess of 33 million ounces of gold equivalent resources (See Bougainville Copper Limited Press Release dated 11 February 2009). Despite the significant potential for resource exploitation in a region with a zero-based economy, Bougainville has been under an exploration moratorium since 1974 in the immediate area surrounding Panguna and over the rest of the Island since 1963.
Panguna which opened in 1972 was forcibly closed by a landowner uprising in 1989 leading to a civil war between Bougainville and PNG. The current metals super-cycle is driving political momentum towards lifting the moratorium and the resumption for full scale mineral exploration and development on the 10,000 sq km island.
Rockwell has unique relationships and an established presence on Bougainville and is at the forefront to be a leading participant in the eventual resumption of mining exploration on Bougainville.
If a target is identified through this process, completion of the acquisition could represent a Change of Business under the TSX Venture Exchange policies. As a result, any such transaction would be subject to a number of conditions, including TSX Venture Exchange acceptance and if required shareholder approval.
About Morumbi
Morumbi Oil & Gas Inc. is a public company with attractive near-term light oil exploitation opportunities in northwest Alberta, and, through its recent acquisition of Rockwell, it is actively undertaking programs to develop existing assets and conducting activities to acquire additional high impact Oil/Gas and Mineral assets. The Company trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "MOC". For more information about Morumbi and the Company's McKinley Property and plans visit our website at www.morumbi.ca.
Disclaimer
Certain statements contained in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking information is identified by words such as "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include, without limitation, statements regarding the company's plan of business operations (including plans for developing assets) and projected expenditures. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, commodity prices, risks inherent in the oil & gas industry, financing risks, labour risks, title disputes, regulatory risks, currency fluctuations, competition, unexpected decline rates in wells, changes in taxation or royalty regimes and environmental concerns. Most of these factors are outside the control of the company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/312118#ixzz1MhhXbmUd
18.05.2011
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Australian Greens concerned at mining influence in PNG
The leader of the Australian Greens Party wants Australian mining companies in Papua New Guinea to follow Australian environmental standards.
Senator Bob Brown was in PNG two weeks ago, and he says he's concerned about the growing influence of Australian mining firms in the country's political system.
He says its important that the benefits from mining need to go to the people rather than already wealthy corporations.
Senator Brown says he'd like to see the Australian government take action to make sure companies follow the same rules overseas that they do at home.
Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speaker: Senator Bob Brown, Australian Greens Party leader
Listen here!
18.05.2011
Source: Australia Network News
Copper mine to reopen on Bougainville
by Jemima Garrett
The Rio-Tinto subsidiary, Bougainville Copper, says it hopes to reopen the Panguna copper mine on Papua New Guinea's island of Bougainville within five years.
Bougainville Copper Chairman, Peter Taylor, spoke to investors at the Papua New Guinea Australia Business Forum for the first time since a civil war closed the mine 20 years ago.
Mr Taylor said his company had learnt from past mistakes and is ready to take a new approach to talks aimed at reopening the mine.
He said he wants landowners and the autonomous government of Bougainville to set the agenda and take equity in the project.
Mr Taylor set a three to five-year timeframe for the reopening but acknowledged that despite good progress on reconciliation there are still many hurdles to cross.
He said he hopes talks on the Bougainville Copper Agreement will start this year.
18.05.2011
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Bougainville mine may re-open by 2016 - BCL
Bougainville Copper - the Rio-Tinto subsidiary that owns the mine that sparked Bougainville's civil war - says it hopes to re-open its Panguna operation in 3-5 years time.
Chairman, Peter Taylor, told the Papua New Guinea Australia Business Forum in Madang that BCL is taking a very different approach this time round.
The comments come as a leading international banker warns PNG is slipping behind Africa in the race for the mining investment dollar.
Presenter:Jemima Garrett
Speaker:Peter Taylor, chairman, Bougainville Copper Limited
Listen here !
18.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
BCL ‘ok for’ Panguna
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government supports re-opening of the Panguna copper mine, but that can only be possible with the support of the landowners and the people of Bougainville.
This is the message from Bougainville president John Momis to the PNG Australian Business Forum in Madang.
And Bougainville Copper Limited agreed that they need to do a better job this time in addressing landowner concerns and sharing of benefits.
BCL chairman Peter Taylor said landowners and the ABG will take the lead this time around.
Mr Momis said concerns of the people in terms of benefits sharing, employment and business opportunities were central to the concerns of the people that resulted in terrible bloodshed and suffering.
“Against that background, the possible reopening of the Panguna mine has attracted a great deal of attention, and some controversy. Panguna remains a sensitive issue in Bougainville,” he said.
“In principle, the ABG supports re-opening Panguna. We see that as the most realistic way of contributing to broad-based economic growth, and generating the ABG revenues required to meet the needs of our people.
“It must also be emphasised that in planning for meeting those needs, we are working within a very tight timetable.
“The constitutionally guaranteed referendum on independence must be held within the five year period that begins just four years from now – no earlier than 2015 and no later than 2020.
“As a result we need development and revenue as soon as possible, so that the ABG can work with the National Government and other partners to make the current autonomy arrangements work well.”
“We want autonomy to deliver real benefits to our people. In that way, when the referendum is held, Bougainvilleans will have a real choice – a choice between the actual benefits of autonomy and the possibilities of independence.
“But while the ABG sees potential benefits from re-opening Panguna, we also believe that a final decision can only be made if that is the will of the people. We need broad-based support for proceeding in that way.”
The BCL chairman who was yesterday elected as the president of Australia PNG Business Council told the forum that Panguna mine still had a large ore body capable of producing 50 million tonnes of ore a year for the next 20 years.
That works out to 450,000 ounces a gold and 170,000 tonnes of copper a year.
“So it has been an elephant, and it remains a pretty robust member of that species still. And it has other attributes that make it a continuingly attractive target,” Mr Taylor said.
“It’s not green field. We’ve been there for those 17 years of operation and waited another 20 years since, and there is not much we don’t know about our ore body, and our host community.”
“And there are seven adjacent exploration licence areas which offer the very tangible prospect of further significant discoveries. Once the long standing moratorium on exploration is lifted, I believe the circumstances in the Autonomous Bougainville Region will eventually see that constraint relaxed.”
“There is a very wide consensus on Bougainville today that peace and continuing good order will be best achieved by economic means. That the normal aspirations of the people for a good life and a fulfilling future for their children will be delivered by employment, training, regular income, infrastructure and business activity.”
“After a few false starts the consensus is now firmly in favour of BCL being the preferred operator of the mine at Panguna if it restarts, and that the mine and its associated activities will be the engine driving all those benefits.
We are now opening a new chapter for Bougainville Copper.”
18.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville fights cholera
BOUGAINVILLE’S hardworking cholera medical team have maintained the death statistics to only two deaths but more than 350 patients treated so far.
Despite working under pressure and with limited resources, workers are already complaining about allowances promised to them which they have not received for the past three weeks.
The Post-Courier visited the Lemanmanu medical command post over the weekend. The cholera ward was half full with nine patients still being treated, while three were already discharged and two new cases waiting to be tested and treated. Health Extension Officer in charge of the operation Silion Hamao did not comment on the complains raised by the staff of their allowances. HEO Hamao said the statistics of treated cases was increasing every week. He said in a week they have been treating up to 25 cases from all over the Haku area.
Nurses at the health centre said there was a need to have a separate cholera ward because normal patients could not be admitted at the health centre due to the shortage of beds and other equipment.
18.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Haku school in dire strait
BOUGAINVILLE’S newly established Haku High School is in dire need of financial assistance to operate.
The Haku Day High School was ABG education’s positive establishment this year to serve the population of Haku area in the northern tip of Buka Island.
The school was an addition to secondary and high schools already operating in the region and an achievement to the people and the leaders of Bougainville. But school executive and brainchild behind the establishment Jan Tenevi, also the former member for Haku in the ABG told the Post-Courier yesterday tha the school is in dire need of classrooms to cater for the students. The school has more than 106 grade nine intakes for this year, all from the Haku area.
The school urgently needs water tanks, a school truck to pick students, classrooms, school materials are scarce, books are a major need for the institution and they need more funds to run the school.
Mr Tenevi said the school was promised funding from the controversial K15 million the ABG sourced from the National Government, but so far none has been released and the only funding they received was the K25,000 left over from the survey done several years ago.
“Otherwise we are purely running the school on school fee funds but we need funding seriously.
The children are still having classes under the trees and outside the primary school classrooms.
The Post Courier paid a visit to the Haku Day High School in the northern tip of Buka Island where a new school was established and which opened its doors to the Haku Constituency this year.
For four months until last Friday, the students were having classes under the trees at the Tanamalo School, but this did not deter the teachers and students.
18.05.2011
Source: The National
‘PNG the most undeveloped copper nation’
PAPUA New Guinea was described in a report as one of the most underdeveloped copper resource nation in the Asia-Pacific region having recently increased its production to 6.5 billion pounds of copper, 204 million pounds of molybdenum plus gold, silver and rhenium.
PNG is also centrally located with easy access to Asian markets as stated in the Australian investor presentation for the Marengo mine.
The Marengo copper-molybdenum is a global copper producer with its value underpinned by the world-scale Yandera mine in Madang.
Feasibility studies are well advanced with drilling expected to continue through out this year.
The company has a MoU in place with leading Chinese construction group, Standard Bank, appointed as financial adviser.
The report stated that the company had a strong investor base with key global and strategic clients.
The Yandera mine is strategically located with access to key Asian markets and would be operated by an experienced team with a strong focus on production.
Yandera mine is located 95km southwest of the provincial capital of Madang with 100% owned exploration license covering 1,900km².
The project covers more than 100km of the highly prospective Bundi fault zone with less than 5% of structural corridor drilled to date.
18.05.2011
Source: The National
BCL the preferred operator of re-opened Panguna mine
BOUGAINVILLE Copper Ltd (BCL) is seen as the preferred operator of the Panguna mine should it reopen, executive chairman Peter Taylor at the Australia-PNG Business Council summit in Madang, said yesterday.
He said BCL had undertaken an order of magnitude study, indicating that the resource in the mining lease at Panguna still contained a billion tonnes of payable ore which is subjected to copper and gold prices.
The study supported a planned rate of mining and processing of 50 million tonnes of ore per annum, producing about 450,000 ounces of gold and 170,000 tonnes of copper per year over a mine life up to 20 years.
Taylor explained that there were seven adjacent exploration licensed areas offering prospects of further discoveries.
He said the bad timing of the Panguna mine opening, on the eve of independence, meant that the landowners and the province were not consulted to any great degree, and with some resistance.
Taylor said all this would be different as BCL’s approach now would be to encourage the landowners and the Bougainville government to take the lead in setting the agenda.
“We need to do a better job of sharing the benefits of the project with the landowners and the government. I believe they need to have participation in the project so the fortunes of the mine are also their fortunes,” he said.
“Economic self-sufficiency is an important goal for Bougainville, particularly when its people are endeavouring to become autonomous within PNG, and also to address the question of independence, which requires revenue developed by major projects such as a re-opened Panguna.”
Taylor pointed out that another crucial issue was the re-negotiation of the Bougainville copper agreement, document agreed in a different era with little recognition of benefit sharing.
“Without wishing to pre-empt the discussion process or its outcomes, I know that everyone in PNG today with an inkling of modern benefit sharing principles, would expect a range of things to be on the table, but they also need to be realistic about what is achievable,” he said.
18.05.2011
Source: The National
Taylor is new president of PNG-Australia business council
BOUGAINVILLE Copper executive chairman Peter Taylor is the new president of the Australia-Papua New Guinea business council taking over from the national chairman of Gadens Lawyers, Ian Clarke.
Speaking after his election at the council meeting in Madang on Monday, Taylor said the commercial relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea had never been stronger.
“This is a time of great mutual opportunity, the two-way trade between Papua New Guinea and Australia is now well in excess of K10 billion annually.
“Australian investment in PNG is at a high point, with a significantly increased number of Australian companies investing in the development of resources across the country, and many Australian suppliers of products and technical services visiting PNG in numbers that have not been seen since the 1980s,” he said.
Taylor said that at the same time, hundreds of PNG professionals in the mining sector had found jobs in Australia, and PNG producers of commodities were enjoying export gains due to high demand in the Australian market.
18.05.2011
Source: Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council
BCL Chairman Peter Taylor Is elected the New President
of the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council
The Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council has a new President, at a time of unprecedented trade opportunities.
Bougainville Copper executive chairman Peter Taylor has succeeded Ian Clarke, national chairman of Gadens Lawyers, at the head of the peak body for business co-operation and dialogue between the two neighbouring nations.
Speaking after his election at the Council meeting in Madang today, Peter Taylor said the commercial relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea had never been stronger.
“This is a time of great mutual opportunity; the two way trade between Papua New Guinea and Australia is now well in excess of K10 billion annually.
“Australian investment in PNG is at a high point, with a significantly increased number of Australian companies investing in the development of resources across the country, and many Australian suppliers of products and technical services visiting PNG in numbers that have not been seen since the 1980’s.
“At the same time, hundreds of PNG professionals in the mining and mineral processing sector have found well paid jobs in Australia, and PNG producers of commodities are enjoying export gains due to high demand in the Australian market.
“Australian companies are also listed on the Port Moresby Stock Exchange, and the strong turn out at the Madang business council conference speaks of the mutual interest Papua New Guineans and Australians have in each other’s economic success.
“There is no doubt that Papua New Guinea is on the cusp of its next great resource development phase, with gas, gold and copper meeting strong international demand.
“The Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council is positioned to give PNG sound and friendly advice on ways to maximise the benefits of this boom in demand, and to help facilitate the continuing strong relationship that exists in trade, social exchange and political co-operation between the two nations.
“Australia’s own best interests lie in a stable, prosperous and highly developed PNG.
“it is a privilege to be invited to serve a term as President of the Council, and I look forward to fruitful dialogue with all the key players in PNG’s close and mutually beneficial relationship with the Australian business sector,” Peter Taylor said.
18.05.2011
Source: ABG President John Momis
John Momis' Speech in Madang
Please read here ABG President John Momis' speech on the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council !
18.05.2011
Source: Peter Taylor, Chairman of Bougainville Copper Limited
Peter Taylor's Speech in Madang
Please read here BCL Chairman Peter Taylor's speech on the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council !
18.05.2011
Source: Bougainville Copper Limited / ESBC
Fresher Image.
Bougainville Copper Limited finally changed their internet profile. It looks younger and provides more information than before. "The new homepage marks a mile-stone in BCL's PR," says ESBC President Axel G. Sturm, "but there is still a lot of work to do as there is integrating of investor relations services, but already its new name "http://bcl.bilongyu.com/" has a philosohy of its own. This pidgin expressions stands for: BCL belongs to you! That's positive! The European Shareholders welcome BCL's struggle for a better image and a virtual reconciliation with the people of Bougainville."
Click on the picture to visit BCL's brand new homepage:
18.05.2011
Source: ESBC Research
The Imposters
An update on unlawful Me’ekamui machinations
On May 9th, 2011 the ESBC published an in-depth report about “… the Me’ekamui Remote Controlled from Abroad?” Information from readers told us, one of the key suspects, a certain 62-years-old Stewart Sytner from New York who is well known in the United States for alleged fraudulent financial practices: Amongst others he pretends being a Consul General of Papua New Guinea. Even better: He claims a 49 percent ownership of the Panguna mine lease. The ESBC were provided with some links that gave a good view on this person and his alleged business partner, Mr. Thomas Megas, as well. Once again the ESBC advise all good willing Bougainvilleans to refuse all contact with self-appointed governments, self-styled so called international banks or other people who pretend to be king or consul general etc.. Keep in mind: Bougainville’s richness in precious metals and industrial metals will become better known worldwide, thus there will be more doubtful subjects who will appear on stage. They are attracted by Bougainville like moths to light!
Find out more about Stewart Sytner and his entourage:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/12/23/idUS208215+23-Dec-2008+PRN20081223
http://www.5tjt.com/local-news/2550-letters-to-the-editor
17.05.2011
Source: Profit Hunter
What’s moving Bougainville’s share price?
Shares of our high-risk speculation, Bougainville Copper Ltd (BOC.AU), have had a tough time recently. The stock has fallen from the peak of 2.20 AUD (Australian dollars) at the beginning of the year to about 1.40 today.
As usual information is very scarce when it comes to BCL, so this analysis is somewhat simplistic by nature but still very relevant. The reason for the share price weakness as we see it:
• Copper prices have fallen significantly from the peak in February. That’s probably caused some speculators not familiar with the story to take cover and sell.
• Investors in general have become more and more risk averse during the year. They want safer investments in the current volatile environment. BCL is a long way away from being a safe investment. We know that.
• On the ground in Bougainville there have been reports of unrest in the southern part of the island. Also there have been news reports that some of the landowners are still against a re-opening of the mine. All this weighs on sentiment for the shares.
Factors like the ones above will always be part of the BCL story. And unless something material happens that indicates that the mine will not be re-opened, the investment case remains intact. Keep in mind that the stock, in our view, should be valued as an ‘option’ on the reopening of the mine. It is very risky indeed – the shares could go to zero if it becomes clear that the mine will never restart. On the flipside, if it does reopen, the potential rewards will simply be tremendous.
The pivotal step for a re-opening remains the signing of a new agreement between Bougainville’s landowners, the local government, the national government and BCL. The timing for that is still uncertain. But perhaps we could get some more information this week, as BCL’S chairman Peter Taylor will be presenting at the 27 th Papua New Guinea Australia business forum. Hopefully, we can get some more insights to the latest development from there.
There are news reports out today (Tuesday) that Taylor will visit Bougainville island for the first time since the mine was shut down in 1989. His visit will apparently take place this Thursday as part of a delegation of business leaders. We see it as a a positive development that the island of Bougainville is trying to be open as it seeks to attract new investment. And in the near future I am sure there will be more news flow coming from the visit.
17.05.2011
Source: Australia Network News
Bougainville's president tries to attract investment
The President of Bougainville John Momis told investors the peace process on Bougainville is well established and the island is open for business.[ABC]
by Jemima Garrett
The Chairman of the Rio Tinto-owned Bougainville Copper is to visit Bougainville for the first time since the Panguna copper mine was shut down by a bloody civil war in 1989.
The invitation is part of a strategy by Bougainville's President John Momis to attract new investment.
Mr Momis told investors attending the Papua New Guinea Australia Business Forum in Madang that the peace process on Bougainville is well established and the island is open for business.
Mr Momis said he is keen to attract smart responsible investors who will create jobs and improve life for rural people in the lead up to a referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea.
The Chairman of Bougainville Copper will be part of a delegation of business leaders to visit the island on Thursday.
Mr Momis said the return of Bougainville copper shows there has been a sea-change in attitudes and economic conditions on the island.
17.05.2011
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Bougainville seeking investors - Momis
Bougainville's President John Momis has told investors there has been a sea change in attitudes and economic conditions on Bougainville and he wants their investment to help build prosperity in the lead up to a referendum on independence.
President Momis was speaking at the Papua New Guinea Australia Business Forum in Madang.
Listen here !
Presenter:Jemima Garrett
Speaker:John Momis, president, Autonomous Bougainville Government
17.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ABG Day Celebrations
By Maria Laukai
The Autonomous Bougainville Government is yet to announce plans on how the first anniversary of the Momis/Nisira government will be celebrated.
The anniversary is planned for June 15 however the Bougainville Events Committee has not revealed plans on how the event would be celebrated.
The Bougainville Events Committee, chaired by ABG chief Administrator LAWRENCE DISIN is responsible for organizing the events for the day in consultation with the office of the President.
According to a statement from the Bougainville house of representatives, a request needs to be made to the National Executive Council to declare June 15 as a public holiday in Bougainville.
Meanwhile, in honor of ABG and as a lead up to the first anniversary of the second term of ABG, New Dawn FM has been producing and broadcasting since May 3, a special program called ‘Know your government.’
The program is broadcasted every Tuesday at 8:30 pm and looks at the aims and vision of ABG that was formed by the late Joseph Kabui, held in transition by former president James Tanis and now led by president honorable JOHN MOMIS.
Tonight’s program will feature the inauguration of the Momis government.
17.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ABG Speaker Resumes Work
By Maria Laukai
ABG deputy speaker honorable ROBIN WILSON says ABG speaker honorable ANDREW MIRIKI has resumed duty after returning from Port Moresby on Saturday.
Mr MIRIKI was in Port Moresby for a medical check which led to his successful recovery and allowed him to observe the swearing in of the two ABG representatives honorable JOSEPH EGILO and FRANCO HOPPING to the national SRC at government house.
During his absence, honorable ROBIN WILSON was the ABG acting speaker.
Mr WILSON said it was a good experience for him to occupy the office of the Speaker while Mr MIRIKI was on medical leave.
Mr WILSON thanked all ABG members and parliamentary staff who had helped him in his duty as the ABG acting speaker.
17.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ABG representatives as SRC members
By Maria Laukai
Two ABG representatives to the National Salaries and Remuneration Commission or SRC were sworn in by Governor General Sir Michael Ogio this week.
They are ABG minister for communication, culture and tourism honorable JOSEPH EGILIO and former combatant represent for North Bougainville honorable FRANCO HOPPING.
They will now be able to represent ABG in the National SRC when the commission considers matters for Bougainville.
SRC executive officer JACK BAGITA says the two representatives would now be able to present in the next national SRC meeting, the ABG submissions on a new determination on salary and allowances for ABG leaders.
He added that the ABG submission is the only matter for discussion in the next SRC meeting planned for next month in Port Moresby.
17.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Bougainville presents Human Rights case
By Aloysius Laukai
Women are the silent and forgotten victims in places of recent wars and ongoing post conflict environments such as Bougainville, Solomon Islands and Fiji, says Human Rights defender and member of the Haku Women’s Council MARILYN HAVINI.
Mrs HAVINI said this at a recent United Nations Human Rights Council or UNHRC meeting at Geneva.
The UNHRC had convened from May 2 to 11 for a universal periodic review (UPR) of four pacific nations including Palau, Solomon Islands, Samoa and PNG of which the case of Bougainville was presented.
She said common human rights issues highlighted to the UNHRC included;
• A need to identify the many victims of rape during war, who suffer without counseling, medical assistance and justice mechanisms,
• The existence of guns in post conflict communities and their ‘hidden’ threat is an ongoing source of fear and intimidation to civil society and
• The need for forensic recovery of dead relatives lying in mass graves that prevent development in major public spaces that prevent development in major public places.
Mrs HAVINI said eight recommendations were made which include;
• Women Human Rights Defenders of the Pacific and civil society requests UN and Regional peace keeping country stakeholders to assist each pacific nation’s weapons disposal programs and to institute mandatory trauma counseling for all former combatants and
• Request expertise from UN or referred agencies who can provide forensic teams to assist the people in recovering bodies from mass graves and known sites where bodies had been dumped during war and conflict.
These recommendations now need the government of the four island nations to implement before the UNHRC reviews the pacific nations again in four years time.
17.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Tuesday May 17th,2011
By Aloysius Laukai
This is a report from Mrs. Marilyn Havini who is a human rights defender on Bougainville.
Marilyn just returned from Geneva where four Pacific Nations were under review this year.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN CONFLICT AND POST-CONFLICT IN THE PACIFIC
Human Rights Defender Mrs. Marilyn Havini from Bougainville, in the nation of PAPUA NEW GUINEA has just returned from across the world where she joined other Pacific representatives in Geneva to speak for civil society and especially women who suffer in conflict and post conflict environments in the Pacific Region.
The following messages were conveyed at a PACIFIC SIDE EVENT as a voice for CIVIL SOCIETY INPUT TO UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL at the UPR (Universal Periodic Review) for 4 Pacific Nations under review in 2nd – 11th May 2011 Sessions. The Pacific Nations currently under review are Palau, Tuesday 3rd May, Solomon Islands 4th May, Samoa 9th May and Papua New Guinea 11th May
Women are the silent and forgotten victims in places of recent wars and ongoing post conflict environments such as Bougainville, Solomon Islands, and Fiji:
• Rape has been used as a weapon of war, and we desperately need to identify the many victims who suffer without counseling, medical assistance, justice mechanisms and reparations to assist these women and young girls.
• Investigative and prosecution capacity is lacking in our justice systems. Police are not specifically trained to handle violence against women and the institutional capacity is lacking.
• Many widows and abandoned mothers are now single parents struggling to raise and educate children born of rape or orphaned from war or born during crisis periods when no services left a ‘lost generation’.
• Conflict disrupted families; their homes and villages were destroyed and plundered. Widespread suffering in overcrowded conditions lacking proper shelter affects breakdown of family life. Sexual crimes within families include trauma based domestic violence, rape within marriage, incest, polygamy and serial adultery with families of women and children left abandoned by their fathers and or mothers.
• Young girl victims of incest and rape risk their lives and the lives of unwanted children with abortion and infanticide. There are no services to assist the girl child – RRRT research is revealing that up to 50% of all girls are assaulted or ‘accept’ sexual advances before the age of 15
• Guns exist in post conflict communities and their ‘hidden’ threat is an ongoing source of fear and intimidation to civil society
• Missing relatives and loved ones are lying in mass graves that prevent development in major public spaces – also the forensic recovery of our dead will assist grieving process to heal mental stress and ease suffering.
The SIDE EVENT was a space for non-government stakeholders to present important and current information to nations and organizations at the United Nations on the Human Rights situations in their countries and highlight critical recommendations to be implemented as follow up to the UPR.
Recommendation 1
For Pacific women to receive international support for their Government initiatives to bring PEACE to our communities and Freedom of Movement (especially dismantling of roadblocks); important for all stakeholders of ongoing conflict and post conflict areas especially the countries under UPR review this session Solomon Islands and Bougainville.
Recommendation 2
Women Human Rights Defenders of the Pacific and Civil Society requests United Nations and Regional Peace Keeping Country stakeholders to assist our Pacific Nations Weapons Disposal Programs and to institute mandatory Trauma Counseling for all former combatants
Recommendation 3
Pacific Governments to invite key Special Rapporteur mandates such as for Human Rights Defenders, Independence of the Judiciary, Violence Against Women and Sexual exploitation of children to make Country visits.
Recommendation 4
Request for United Nations Assistance for Pacific countries in Conflict and Post Conflict with technical assistance and human resource training to compile DATA BASE RECORDS of HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES with the urgent need to address needs of victims and for Good Governance Planning in the post –conflict period …And… to compile a DATA BASE RECORD of all RECONCILIATIONS (formal and informal, official government planned and community based) with the urgent need to identify the success or otherwise of these ceremonies and to address the needs of survivors and victims who have yet to experience reconciliation
Recommendation 5
Request United Nations assistance to Pacific Governments in Conflict and Post Conflict Nations to establish Human Rights Commissions and TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE MECHANISMS that will address and redress the war crimes that were committed.
Recommendation 6
Assistance from International Organizations to assist Pacific Governments in developing and promoting gender sensitive legislation incorporating ICCPR, ICESCR, CEDAW, CRC CRPD and UNSCR 1325 in Conflict and Post Conflict Countries.
Recommendation 7
Request expertise from United Nations or referred agencies who can provide FORENSIC TEAMS to assist the people in recovering bodies from mass graves and known sites where bodies have been dumped during war and conflict.
Recommendation 8
Encourage Governments to partner with civil society including women’s groups to advance protection of human rights and ensure civil society is able to operate with independence and resources for the benefit of the people as part of a healthy nation state.
Each country will have obligations for agreed recommendations which need to be implemented before the UN Human Rights Council reviews Pacific Nations again in a 4 year cycle to show that action has been taken.
17.05.2011
Source: The National
Polling starts for North Bougainville
By STEPHANIE ELIZAH
POLLING for the North Bougainville by-election started yesterday with the exception of Selau constituency, which began polling on May 14.
More than 10,000 eligible voters will be going to the poll to elect a new member for the North Bougainville open seat.
The seat was left vacant by former member and now Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio.
Six of the 55 polling teams engaged departed Buka Island on Sunday for the Atolls and Nisan while the rest were dispatched yesterday by road to Tsitalato, Hagogohe, Halia, Peit, Tonsu, Haku, Selau, Suir, Teua, Mahari, Taonita Teop and Taonita Tinputz.
For Buka town residents, inside the Tsitalato constituency, polling by limited preferential voting (LPV) would be located at the following venues:
*Today – Buka town market, Iuping Tsuhana, Chinchin;
*Tomorrow – Bel Isi Haus, Hangan Catholic church, Lonahan CLC Haus Lotu;
*Thursday – Motmoto Elementary School, Bubuil Elementary School, Lonahan aid post;
*Friday – University open campus and Bibinama.
Bougainville electoral officer Reitama Taravaru said he anticipated a smooth by-election with counting to start immediately as constituencies complete polling.
Polling ends on Friday.
Meanwhile, Taravaru also revealed that the Tonsu by-election for Bougainville would cost the Autonomous Bougainville Government K170,000.
The ABG Tonsu by-election would be conducted immediately after the by-election for North Bougainville.
The people of Tonsu constituency will elect a new open member.
17.05.2011
Source: The National
Health boss commends Buka chiefs
THE chiefs of Buka Island have been commended for their leadership and efforts to contain a cholera outbreak reported in their area in March.
Health secretary Dr Clement Malau said for the chiefs to advocate and help households and communities to build pit latrines “is a sustainable strategy to prevent cholera and other preventable diseases”.
“The effort is commendable, and I encourage leaders at all levels in communities to provide the leadership in public health issues and in other areas that can improve the lives of our people,” he said.
Malau made this comment after receiving updated reports on cholera from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and the seven other affected provinces.
He urged individuals and communities to observe basic hygiene practices like washing hands regularly.
He said, as of April 28, there had been 12,411 cases of cholera and 484 deaths.
Of the 484 deaths, 267 samples were confirmed positive for vibrio cholera, the germ that causes cholera.
Malau said the figures for unreported cases could exceed the data collected.
The cholera outbreak was first reported in Morobe province in August 2009, from where it spread to Madang, East Sepik, National Capital District (NCD), Central, Gulf, Western and most recently the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Malau said in the eight provinces, male population accounted for 53.3% and female for 45.4% of all cases. The majority of cases were older than five years (71.8%).
He said nationally, the situation “seems to have declined in the Western, NCD, Central and Morobe provinces”.
“In these provinces most of the task force operations have scaled down while maintaining surveillance to monitor potential resurgence of the germ,” he said.
Malau said today’s hotspot area was the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The first case was detected in the Haku constituency of Buka Island on March 18 last year.
All task force operations in the region are all responding to contain the outbreak.
Malau acknowledged the continuous support of the government, provincial governments and administrations including the hospitals, and the private sector including the World Health Organisation, United Nations Children’s Fund and Doctors without Borders.
17.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Picture of MV SANKAMAP 2 now anchored at Sohano island. Yesterday I saw kids jumping out of it into the blue seas...
AL
17.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Polling Picture
By Aloysius Laukai
Pictured is former ABG Speaker Nick Peniai voting at the Sohano Polling Booth yesterday.
Polling will end on 20 May and counting starts on May 23rd,2011.
The new member for North Bougainville will be able to sit for the June session of the Parliament.
17.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
New Warders trained
By Aloysius Laukai
25 new casual warders recently recruited by the PNG Correctional Service will be trained in the next four weeks on basic roles and responsibilities of a warden.
The training which starts tomorrow at the Bougainville Police Service Training Centre in Hutjena was launched today by ABG minister for Law and Justice Honorable LEO HANNETT.
Mr HANNETT in addressing the new recruits said he hoped each of the trainees understood the significance of the work they were volunteering their service for.
He said over the next four weeks, they would be receiving basic training in looking after people who have been banished from their communities because they had done something wrong.
Honorable Hannett advised that it is important that the trainees deal with the prisoners equally and on a person to person basis.
He added that their conduct and how each warder presented themselves to the prisoners would determine the impact of change on the prisoner.
17.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Earthquake shakes Buka town
By Aloysius Laukai
BUKA town residents are still reeling from the abrupt wake-up call they had yesterday at four in the morning when buildings they were in heavily shook for a few good seconds.
Many of the residents in Buka said they woke up disorientated with some panicky and thinking a Tsunami was about to hit the island town of Bougainville.
Reports received by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed that an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the richter scale was detected 120 kilometers west coast of Bougainville near the Kunua area.
A situation report is yet to be received from Kunua and nearby areas by the Bougainville Disaster Office while in Buka, all is quiet with no damages reported.
17.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Polling starts for North Bougainville
By Aloysius Laukai
Polling for the North Bougainville By-election commenced yesterday with the exception of Selau constituency which began polling on May 14.
More than ten thousand eligible voters will be voting to elect a new member for the North Bougainville open seat after the seat was left vacant by former member and now governor general of PNG Sir Michael Ogio.
Six of the 55 polling teams engaged departed Buka Island on Sunday for the Atolls and Nisan Constituency.
The remaining 49 teams were dispatched today by road to the remaining constituencies of Tsitalato, Hagogohe, Halia, Peit, Tonsu, Haku, Selau, Suir, Teua, Mahari, Taonita Teop and Taonita Tinputz.
For Buka town residents inside the Tsitalato constituency, polling by Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) will be located at the following venues;
• Tuesday – Buka town market, Iuping Tsuhana, Chinchin,
• Wednesday – Bel Isi Haus, Hangan Catholic Church, Lonahan CLC Haus Lotu,
• Thursday – Motmoto Elementary School, Bubuil Elementary School, Lonahan Aidpost,
• Friday – University Open Campus and Bibinama.
Bougainville Electoral Commissioner Reitama Taravaru said he anticipates a smooth by-election this week with counting immediately to commence in any constituencies that complete polling first.
Polling ends on May 20.
17.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Bougainville warders training a first for PNG CS.
By Aloysius Laukai
The training of 25 Bougainvillians in Buka is a historic step for the PNG and Bougainville Correctional Service, says Correctional Services Deputy commissioner for Corporate Services DOMINIC TOMAR.
Mr TOMAR said the recruitment and training of locals as casual warders is a first for the PNG Correctional Services or PNGCS which has traditionally held warders training at Bomana in Port Moresby.
Speaking at the launch of the Correctional Services Casual Warders Recruit training course today, Mr TOMAR explained that it is a departure from normal recruitment procedures and processes but it does not mean a departure from Correctional Services standards and values.
He urged the new recruits to uphold and maintain the Correctional Services standards of discipline, diligence and pride.
Mr TOMAR added that PNGCS is a discipline organization that is mandated by law to take custody of persons sentence by the courts and assist them to change their offending behavior.
That is the fundamental reason for the establishment of the correctional facility at Bekut and the recruitment training which will commence tomorrow.
17.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SCHOOL FEES
By Aloysius Laukai
Some of the Bougainville students studying at the Pacific Adventist University are not sure whether they will sit for this semester exam starting on 27th May 2011.
This is because ABG did not settle the promised outstanding fees for last and this year.
In making this known to New Dawn FM today, the President of Bougainville Students Association, RICTHER KOKINAI called on the ABG to make payments to the school between this week and next week so that the affected Bougainville students would still sit for the exams.
He questioned why it took so long to process the money when they already have the money.
KOKINAI said that it would be sad if one of our students misses his or her exams.
“We are just hoping that if the ABG does something between now and the exam date to avoid any inconvenience to our studies” said Bougainville student’s President.
Attempts by New Dawn FM news to talk to the Education authorities were unsuccessful.
16.05.2011
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Today:
BCL Chairman Peter Taylor meets
Bougainville President John Momis in Madang !
Boom sees record numbers at PNG Australia Business Forum
The PNG Australia Business Forum - the premier business event linking the two countries - gets underway in Madang this morning.
With the economy booming the Forum has drawn a record crowd.
Presenter:Geraldine Coutts
Speaker:Jemima Garrett, Radio Australia correspondent
Listen here !
16.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
TSUNAMI ALERT
By Aloysius Laukai
A local Tsunami alert is on after a 6.5 earthquake hit Bougainville's West coast at about 4.30 am this morning.
The quake struck beneath the sea at a depth of 43 kilometres some 12o kilometres west of Bougainville according to the Unites States Geological Survey.
In Buka the quake was felt but no damage was reported since this morning.
15.05.2011
Source: ESBC
ESBC press release 20110516
Bougainville Copper Limited (ASX:BOC)
BCL Shareholders Confirm Targeted Price of AUD 30++ per Share
In 2008 the European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper (ESBC) faced sneering comments when ESBC President Axel G. Sturm predicted a share price of AUD 20 and more per share for Bougainville Copper securities (ASX:BOC). Today – three years later – a recently published analyzes established by the famous Australian-Indian BuySellSignals network (www.buysellsignals.net/) confirms Sturm’s statement. Better: It even predicts that BOC shares might soar up to AUD 50 once the giant Panguna mine will be operational again. Analyst Anil Bakaya based only on free available data on the world class Panguna deposit and the actual commodity prices for this stunning evaluation. The Panguna mine still remains closed due to unrest in the late 80s of last century. Since one year there are strong efforts on the ground to re-open the mine as soon as possible: “We are very confident that Bougainville President John Momis will be able to convince even doubtful Bougainvilleans that only mining can earn the huge amount of money that is desperately needed to rebuild infrastructure, excellent health services and free education for everyone on Bougainville”, says ESBC President Axel G. Sturm, “As a vast majority of Bougainvilleans is very peaceful, we are sure that the recent unrest in certain southern parts of the island will calm down as soon as these few criminal individuals who terrorize peace loving citizens will be arrested and brought to justice.” Press reports on violence and unlawful claims from some US and Solomon based extremists made international investors insecure and sell off BOC shares. Axel G. Sturm: “Share price predictions are rather difficult. Nevertheless Bougainville Copper shares still remain one of the most promising commodity opportunities worldwide. The ESBC double-checked all figures of Bakaya’s study. It seems quite reasonable to us. Even if the share price should not soar up to AUD 50, BOC securities are definitely a STRONG BUY!” BOC shares closed at AUD 1.295 on Friday 13th, 2011.
A free PDF version of the Bougainville Copper Fair Value Study can be downloaded here:
http://www.bougainville-copper.eu/bcl-fair-value-1.html
15.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
POLLING ON
By Aloysius Laukai
Polling for the North Bougainville seat By election starts this weekend.
And ends on the 20 of this month.
Counting will begin immidiately after.
New Dawn FM as usual will be giving progressive results until the seat is declared.
14.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
KUMUKI FIRE
By Aloysius Laukai
More than one hundred people including women and children are homeless after a raid into their village by criminal elements in the Siwai area of South West Bougainville.
Regional Commander for the Bougainville Police Service based in Buin South Bougainville, Inspector Paul Kamuai today condemned the actions of Paul Ihrah and his band of rascals.
He told New Dawn FM from Buin that the incident happened at Kumuki village in the Sininai area of Siwai.
Inspector KAMUAI said that his group went to the area and assessed the situation as still tense.
He said that about twenty houses were burnt to ashes after one of the girls from the village was found to be pregnant .
His brothers then organized other village youths to destroy the boy’s family.
MR. KAMUAI called on these people not get the law into their own hands.
The Police Commander said that Bougainville Police were currently investigating these very serious crimes and would prosecute those responsible.
Meanwhile the ABG President John Momis has also condemned these actions.
He said that the South Bougainville leadership must come up with a solution of the ongoing trouble in the South Bougainville.
Chief Momis warned that the ABG was very concerned at these activities and want the South Bougainville summit to quickly convene and address these pressing issues.
14.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
JICA Bridge sinking
By Aloysius Laukai
One of the longest bridges at Kurwina is sinking because of the quick sand and maybe because the foundation was very close to the water.
See the Garven Baskets not level now.
Jica bridge on April 17th, 2011 :
Jica bridge one month later on May 14th, 2011 :
Pictures by Aloysius Laukai
14.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BY ELECTION
By Aloysius Laukai
Polling for the North Bougainville seat By election started today.
People in Buka town will vote on Monday with people from the Atolls voting this weekend.
A boat chartered by the Election team is scheduled to leave Buka tomorrow afternoon for the Atolls.
Polling would end on May 20th 2011 and counting starting straight after.
The seat was left vacant when the former member, MICHAEL OGIO became the new Governor General for Papua New Guinea.
13.05.2011
Source: ESBC Research
BREAKING NEWS !
BCL Chairman to Madang next Week!
Peter R. Taylor, chairman of Bougainville Copper Limited, will be talking on Tuesday May 17th, 2011 about latest developments in the on-going re-opening process on the 27th Papua New Guinea Australia Business Forum in Madang organized by the Business Council of Papua New Guinea. This conference is considered as one of the most important events in the Pacific mining business world.
The ESBC welcome Mr. Taylor's participation and incouraging increasing PR activies. Peter Taylor confirms that the text of his speech will be provided to the ESBC as soon as possible.
13.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
This picture was taken by Ian Tavore in Arawa.
Where there is will there is way....as these gentlemen seem to say...o should we say never say die?
13.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
AGRICULTURE GOOD
By Aloysius Laukai
The ABG Minister for Primary Industry, NICHOLAS DARKU says Bougainville can still survive without mine.
He made these remarks at the closing ceremony of the first successful Bougainville land summit in Arawa last night.
MR. DARKU said that Bougainville’s soil is fertile and this can sustain the economy of the region.
He said that his division was working on a proposal to encourage all the THIRTY- FOUR THOUSAND cocoa farmers to work on just ONE HECTRE blocks instead of having 20 to 30 HECTRES.
The Minister said that with proper management of just ONE HECTRE the farmers can produce more cocoa.
He said that currently the farmers are unable to manage big plantations thus getting little for their work.
13.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SUMMIT ENDS
By Aloysius Laukai
The three-day Bougainville Land summit ended yesterday in Arawa with recommendations for further consultations before Bougainville land policy can be made to manage traditional lands throughout Bougainville.
The summit the first of its kind to be held in Bougainville was also hailed as successful as it united all stakeholders on Bougainville including the two Mekamui groups of Mekamui Unity and Mekamui Originals.
More than Four Hundred participants attended the summit although only 200 people were invited to participate.
In his closing remarks, the CEO for Lands, ANDREW DOWARO said that they would hold another meeting in six months time before a policy submission can be compiled for the ABG to look at.
He called on the participants to go back and discuss further with their people within the next three months so that more ideas can be discussed before the policy is made.
MR. DOWARO thanked the participants and including the presenters for participating at the summit.
He said that the presenters have truly opened up the minds of the people to really decide what system would suit Bougainville situation.
13.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Tonsu returning officer appointed
By Maria Laukai
Bougainville Electoral Commission has appointed GORDON SEMOSO as the returning officer for the Tonsu by-election which will start on August 1 with the issue of writs.
Mr SEMOSO is a senior dental officer with the Bougainville Division of Health.
According to Bougainville Electoral commissioner REITAMA TARAVARU, Mr SEMOSO is not new to the election process after having held assistant returning officer positions in previous elections in the region, including the first ABG election in 2005.
He added that it is his intention to elevate Bougainvilleans experienced in the electoral process to higher positions before he vacates his seat as the outgoing Bougainville Electoral commissioner.
Mr. TARAVARU says Mr. SEMOSO’s appointment is yet to be gazetted by ABG.
13.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Tonsu by-election to cost K170,000
By Maria Laukai
Bougainville Electoral Commissioner REITAMA TARAVARU has revealed the Tonsu by-election will cost the Autonomous Bougainville Government K170,000.
He said an activity plan has been drafted and the ABG speaker will be advised on the finale dates of the Tonsu by-election.
He added that currently, there are no changes to the dates selected and approved by the Bougainville Executive Council or BEC.
According to BEC, Nominations open with the issue of writs on 1st August by ABG speaker ANDREW MIIRIKI. Nominations close on 8th August and polling will be from 10th September to 15th September with the return of writs on 28th September.
The ABG by-election is necessary to elect the parliament member for Tonsu constituency after former member honourable EZEKIEL MASAT resigned from his post in March, to contest the national North Bougainville By-election.
13.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Bougainville Arms Summit
By Aloysius Laukai
ABG president honorable chief JOHN MOMIS says plans are being finalized for the Bougainville Arms Summit.
The arms summit proposed to be held in Buka town is scheduled to be held at the end of this month.
According to CHIEF MOMIS, the objective of the arms summit is to gage the views of all stakeholders inside Bougainville and how best the people of the region can work together to put an end to killings in South Bougainville.
He said the summit will be held in Buka town to ensure all stakeholders to the summit are free to express their views without fear from people intent disrupting the summit.
The president said as a democratic government, ABG does not want to dictate to the people on what measures to take in addressing this issue and on a higher level, weapons disposal.
Instead, he said, he would rather the people of Bougainville discuss and agree to the best option in addressing violence in the region.
The president is calling on the people of Bougainville to support the call for peace in South Bougainville by participating in the upcoming summit.
13.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Land not for sale: Momis
LAND is not for sale and landowners remain the custodian, specifically in Bougainville, the land summit participants were told in Arawa this week.
THE Bougainville Land summit being held in Arawa, the former capital of Bougainville, were privy to specific documents presented by land experts from Australia, New Zealand, PNG and Bougainville who gathered this week, to discuss Bougainville land issues and how best the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and its people can best manage this asset. Many speakers who spoke at the summit commented that landowners are the custodians of the land and are not supposed to sell their traditional lands.
Several topics covered included customary and alienated land, pressures on custom and pressures on environment and natural resources which had presenters as Jim Fingleton and James Kunnopi, Ruth Spriggs and Henry Starley with Grahaim Baines and Junior Novera and Anna Sapur.
ABG president John Momis, in welcoming everyone to the summit, said this was an opportunity for stakeholders to look at realistic ways of managing land in Bougainville.
He said the land summit would enable ABG to hear the view of landowners and consider establishing new land laws specific to Bougainville.
“PNG today has to deal with land management issues either through the foreign concept of ownership or the indigenous concept of ownership of land and resources which often does not settle well with the people,” Mr Momis said.
The summit will help Bougainville address this issue by looking at ways to merge positive and realistic concepts from both the foreign and indigenous concepts. “By way of merging workable practices of land management concepts, the people of Bougainville would not lose their culture and livelihood derived from the land,” he said.
12.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Land Summit update
By Aloysius Laukai
Participants to the Bougainville Land Summit which ended this afternoon in Arawa, have been told that the land is not for sale.
Many speakers who spoke at the summit commented that landowners are the custodians of the land and are not supposed to sell their traditional land.
The summit also heard from representatives of Me’ekamui Original and Me’ekamui Unity Group including leader Chris Uma who for the first time presented their views to the Bougainville Lands division.
International presenters at yesterday’s sessions talked on their experiences outside and how Bougainvilleans can compare and adapt to lessons learnt from these experiences.
Today’s presentation touched on Customary and Alienated Land, Pressures on custom and pressures on environment and natural resources.
The summit ended with the handing down of final recommendations made during the three day event to Bougainville division of lands and physical planning who will at a later date present to ABG for consideration
12.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Land is important: Momis
By JOYCE TOHUI
ABG President Chief John Momis said that land is of paramount importance in the lives of people.
He was speaking at the land summit workshop in Arawa yesterday.
He told the gathering that the issues of land bring about a lot of good and bad impacts to the lives of people which must be addressed properly.
He said that ABG has an important task to create a new policy and laws on land as it has good and bad effects of development to people.
He added that land is an asset that has a lot of potential developments and fulfillments to promote good standards of living for the people.
However Chief John Momis said that Bougainvilleans are very cautious of the use of their land through the experiences they have.
But he was happy that the land summit held in Arawa, Central Bougainville will help clear the minds of his people to know the good use of their land.
12.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Pictures from the Land Summit
taken by Aloysius Laukai
Some of the presenters at the summit with the CEO for community Development (RIGHT) Mana Kakarouts.
The ABG Minister for Education John Tabinaman and the Member for Tsitalato and Chairman of the Parliamentary committee on Public Accounts Cosmas Sohia.
Even the cooks are having a hard time feeding the participants. Sometimes the last people miss out on proteins.
Even outside of the conference room is packed.
This is the first ever summit in which the Mekamui original and the Mekamui unity group is also attending..this is a sure sign of good things will come from the summit. Even Chris Uma gave his speech on the first day to give his piece to the planning team of the Bougainville Land summit. And also the level of participation and concentration by all parties have been good to todaY. Pictures left is the Mekamui Unity Government President Philip Miriori.
The Land summit will officially end today.
12.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Rebel leaders reconcile
By Maria Laukai
South Bougainville Me’ekamui combatant leader for Wisai area Jeffery Bakeri made peace with long time enemy and Wisai Liberation Movement (WILMO) commander Philip Pusua yesterday in Buka.
The two leaders travelled from South Bougainville to Buka town on their own accord to shake hands in the presence of Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) president Hon. Chief John Momis.
Hon. Momis said he was surprised at this unprecedented visit to the ABG parliament house by the leaders intent on him witnessing this reconciliation event adding that this was the first time the two leaders have seen ‘eye to eye’.
The president said the ceremony although brief, was a significant move forward in ensuring peace in the Konnou constituency of South Bougainville which was the site of recent killings allegedly by notorious criminal leader Damien Koike.
According to Hon. Momis, Jeffery Bakeri is Koike’s closest friend who volunteered to come forward to inform ABG that he had enough of the fighting and that he would be working closely with WILMO commander Philip Pusua to bring peace into Konnou.
The president said according to the two leaders, their reconciliation is just the start with both leaders now preparing to host a bigger reconciliation ceremony involving their men sometime next month in the Wissai area.
Hon. Momis also thanked the South Bougainville police service and especially senior officer John Dewe of Oria police post who was instrumental in initiating the reconciliation.
He also thanked the Australian government for committing K700,000 to Bougainville Police Service (BPS) for infrastructure development, which has boosted the morals of BPS officers throughout the region and reinforced their commitment to ensuring peace prevailed in the region.
Australian’s commitment was cemented during parliamentary secretary for Pacific Island Affairs Richard Marles’ visit to Bougainville in March this year.
12.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Funds for Polling Security
By Aloysius Laukai
Bougainville Electoral Commissioner Reitama Taravaru says the K300,000 for polling security purposes by Bougainville Police Service (BPS) will be granted directly to BPS by PNG Electoral commission.
The Electoral commissioner said his office will not be handling the K300,000.
He said the money which had been budgeted for the BPS to provide security during polling for the North Bougainville by-election would be deposited directly into BPS bank account once the money is ready.
Taravaru stated this in response to concerns raised to New Dawn FM by Bougainville police commissioner ACP Thomas Eluh yesterday on funds due to the BPS for election coverage.
ACP Eluh also said that police personnel have been deployed to their respective polling sites throughout the North Bougainville in preparation for polling which starts on Saturday, May 14.
12.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Bougainville many happenings
By JOYCE TOHUI
Many important events are being held to help the people of Bougainville in the month of May 2011.
Starting with the vaccination week held from the 2nd of May to the 6th of May which saw a lot of babies missing out on immunizations having the opportunity to get vaccinated in all the 33 health facilities in the region.
Then this week from the 9th May to 12th of May 2011, a land summit workshop is being held at Arawa to talk on land issues and find ways to help the people of Bougainville with land experts coming from overseas, PNG and Bougainville.
And also the people of North Bougainville are going to the polling booths this Saturday 14th May to elect their new representative to the National Parliament.
Meanwhile Constable Lesley Meten from the Bougainville Police Service is urging the people of Bougainville to work together with the police to the smooth running of the North Bougainville electorate by election.
12.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Amoxicillin not for colds
MARIA LAUKAI
World Health Organization technical officer based in Bougainville Dr Mohammad Salim Reza has advised against taking antibiotics like Amoxicillin to cure cold and flu.
He said amoxicillin is commonly taken these days by the public as the cure for cold and flu which is dangerous.
Dr. Salim, who was very concerned at the misuse of amoxicillin, accompanied his advice with a pamphlet issued jointly by the PNG department of Health and WHO which warned against the use of antibiotics to cure cold and flu.
According to the pamphlet, the overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance which would result in more costly drugs needed to cure common bacterial infections because the antibiotics lose their power to kill bacteria.
The pamphlet advised that people infected with the cold and flu virus must allow their body time to heal it-self and only take antibiotics when prescribed by health authorities.
12.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Electoral officers warned
By Maria Laukai
Bougainville Electoral Commissioner REITAMA TARAVARU has warned his polling officials involved in the national North Bougainville by-election to not make unauthorized commitments during the polling period.
He cautioned that although this is a small by-election, he expects his officers to manage well the budget by sticking to their election activity plan and spend according to this plan.
TARAVARU said of the K2.6 million needed for the by-election, K1.5 million was released recently which was spent on polling costs of our three major projects including LPV, rolls update and capacity building.
He advised all assistant returning officers to control the costs accrued during polling which include allowances, transport costs and venue hire.
He warned that no excuses will be tolerated for any unauthorized commitments made by any officers.
Taravaru’s strong warning follows previous election experiences in the region which amounted to more than K3 million of accumulated polling costs due to poor budget control.
12.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
North Bougainville goes to the polls
By Maria Laukai
MORE than ten thousand eligible voters in North Bougainville go to the polls on Saturday to vote for a new national member.
The elected national member will fill the North Bougainville open seat left vacant by former member and now governor general Sir Michael Ogio.
Bougainville electoral commissioner Reitama Taravaru said he anticipates a smooth polling period which ends on May 20.
He said 55 polling teams will be deployed throughout the fourteen constituencies of North Bougainville to ensure every voter has the opportunity to elect their candidate.
He added that sea charter has been arranged for the atolls with polling officers set to depart on Sunday for Tasman and Mortlock then on to Cartarets, Fead and Nissan.
According to Taravaru, the polling teams to the atolls will be accompanied by representatives of Red Cross, UN and Bougainville Disaster Office who will be distributing relief supplies to the people affected by rising sea level.
12.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
ABG holds lands meet in Arawa
By GORETHY KENNETH
AUTONOMOUs Bougainville Government leaders are in Arawa this week for a land summit with objectives to develop a land policy on Bougainville and review land issues throughout the region.
ABG President John Momis is leading the summit in Arawa with presentations from Bougainville Lands office, Bougainville Lands Minister Michael Oni and representatives and facilitators from Australia, New Zealand and PNG.
Bougainville Deputy Administrator-operations Patrick Koles said from Arawa that the summit, attended by ABG leaders, aid donors, business houses and other important stakeholders, would look at programs and how ABG can move Bougainville forward in the future.
Mr Koles said that would specifically look at alienated land, customary land, plantations and mission land for the whole of Bougainville.
Mr Oni, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resource gave the keynote address in Arawa while ABG president Momis officially opened the meeting which is being held at the Arawa youth centre at Section 10.
“After the summit, we will come up with recommendations for the ABG and the National Government and we should develop a land policy on Bougainville which will be a benchmark for the people and the government of Bougainville,” Mr Koles said.
The summit will end tomorrow.
11.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawen on Bougainville
Land not for sale
by Aloysius Laukai in Arawa
The Bougainville Land summit currently in progress in Arawa, the former capital of Bougainville has been told that the land is not for sale.
Many speakers who spoke on the summit commented on that Landowners are the custodians of the land and are not supposed to sell their traditional lands.
Speakers at today's session were presenters were our international friends who talked on their experiences outside and how Bougainvilleans can compare and adapt some of them.
Today;s topics were Customary and Alienated land, Pressures on custom and Pressures on Environment and Natural Resources.
Presenters were Jim Fingleton and James Kunnopi,
Ruth Spriggs and Henry Starley with Grahaim Baines ands Junior Novera and Anna Sapur.
The groups then broke up into 20 groups for further discussions and presentations.
11.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
‘Environmental study needed’
THE Panguna landowners want the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the National Government to facilitate an immediate environmental study for the Panguna Mine before any arrangements are made.
Lower tailings and Upper Tailings Associations, including other representatives from the six mine lease areas, met on Saturday in Panguna to discuss the way forward for the mine and came up with recommendations, first on the list, the environmental study issue.
Benedine Kiraa of the Lower Tailings told the Post-Courier that they have agreed for the environmental study to be carried out immediately and by an independent body, with one or two representatives of their choice.
Ms Kiraa said they also discussed a proposal by a new landowner group to be called the Coastal Sea Tailings, one that will cover parts of Torokina.
They want to form a new mine lease association to bring the number to eight mine lease areas.
This is because there is already another group, the Middle Tailings, covering parts of Pirurari and Topu School which have also put in a proposal for the incorporation of their association.
Lower tailings of the Panguna mine were the most affected during the Bougainville crisis as it is the electorate which accommodates the Jaba River and its tailings.
ABG advised that environmental scientists were already engaged and will soon start their expedition.
11.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Churches in Buin to meet with rebels
THE Churches of south Bougainville have asked the Autonomous Bougainville Government to delay any decisions to deploy Special Forces to Konnou, south Bougainville.
Catholic church priest Fr Tony of Tabago Mission told the Post-Courier from Buin that they will be meeting with the rebels all through this week and a possible meeting with Koike on Thursday to give him the benefit of the doubt and the time to speak on what his issues were and then proceed onto arrangements of roundtable discussions, ceasefire, disarmament and reconciliations.
“We are simply asking if ABG can delay any decisions made so that we can try our best to negotiate with the Me’ekamui team from Konnou.
“We will then come up with a program arrangement for a roundtable discussion, we will discuss a ceasefire agreement, disarmament and then reconciliation with Thomas Tari and the others, the ABG and the other stakeholders,” Fr Tony said.
The request comes after reports that the ABG would arrange for a possible special peace force to help sort out the problems and issues of Konnou, south Bougainville. But according to the churches, they have already made arrangements with the rebels and their executives for meetings this week.
11.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
ABG treasurer in court
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government Treasurer Albert Punghau appeared briefly for mention in Buka District Court this week over an alleged road accident that resulted in a man’s death last month.
And already, the public and other ABG MPs, are questioning his fate in office.
Albert Punghau is Member for Motuna Huyono, in south Bougainville region.
Mr Punghau was taken to Buka Police Station as a suspect and implicated for running over a young Malasang man near Kenny’s Hall – Buka’s popular nightclub, late last month.
The issue caused problems within the Malasang community, but according to police reports, Mr Punghau and his team gave a “belkol” money of K20,000 to the relatives of the deceased.
Treasurer Punghau has appeared briefly for mention at the Buka District Court early this week before magistrate Peter Toliken and the case adjourned to a later date.
Meanwhile, Bougainvillean MPs and ordinary citizens have taken the Government to task to explain the fate of the minister over the road accident.
Acting ABG Speaker Robin Wilson was quick to respond to the accusations and allegations, advising that he was yet to receive an official written statement.
But he said that he was aware of the case involving the minister and because it was before the courts, he was not in a position to answer to the demands of the people of Bougainville on the fate of the minister.
“I sympathise with the immediate family and relatives of the deceased … our silence on this matter since the incident happened does not mean that we are not concerned with what has happened, and are not aware of the kind of actions to be taken by the Government if required by the Bougainville Constitution,” Mr Wilson said.
“I cannot comment on his fate as a minister in light of this case.
“I will leave this to the President, Chief John Momis to announce the stand by the government.
“The Bougainville House of Representatives therefore respects the judicial process and will wait for a decision or the outcome of the Courts before the Office of the Speaker makes an official announcement on the fate of the Member for Motuna Huyono according to the Constitution of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.”
11.05.2011
Source: ESBC
ESBC press release
New ESBC Vice President!
The European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper (ESBC) unanimously voted for Mrs. Corinna Pattijn as Vice President. Mrs. Pattijn business carrier as a bank executive started in London. Further steps were New York, Amsterdam and Singapore. Today Mrs. Pattijn lives as a private investor in Amsterdam and Cologne/Germany. She is a major shareholder of Bougainville Copper. “I know Corinna for many years now,” says ESBC President Axel G. Sturm, “she has an excellent knowledge of international banking and good contacts worldwide. I am sure the ESBC will benefit from her experience.”
The European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper (ESBC) are jointly the third biggest investor in Bougainville Copper Limited behind Rio Tinto and the State of Papua New Guinea. The company owns one of the world’s biggest deposits in Copper, Gold, Silver and Molybdenum.
ESBC jetzt mit Vizepräsidentin!
Einmütig haben die Mitglieder der European Shareholders of Bougainville (ESBC) Corinna Pattijn zu ihrer Vizepräsidentin gewählt. Frau Pattijn, die viele Jahre lang in London, New York, Amsterdam und Singapur erfolgreich als Bankmanagerin tätig war, lebt heute als Privatinvestorin in Amsterdam und Köln. Sie gehört zu den Hauptaktionären der Bougainville Copper Limited. „Corinna und ich kennen uns schon seit vielen Jahren“, sagt ESBC Präsident Axel G. Sturm, „ich freue mich auf die Zusammenarbeit mit ihr, da sie speziell auf internationaler Ebene über einen großen Erfahrungsschatz und exzellente Kontakte verfügt, die nun den ESBC zugutekommen.“
Die European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper sind nach Rio Tinto und dem Staat Papua Neuguinea gemeinschaftlich der drittgrößte Anteilseigner an der Bougainville Copper Limited. Das Unternehmen besitzt eine der weltweit größten Lagerstätten an Kupfer, Gold, Silber und Molybdän.
Corinna Pattijn
11.05.2011
Source: The National
EU all set to assist PNG
By PATRICK TALU
PNG is set to benefit from European Union assistance and investments.
EU head of delegation Dr Martin Dihm said on Monday night under the Cotonou Agreement, PNG and the EU cooperated closely for development.
“Currently we are looking at an envelope of K350 million,” Dihm said during Europe Day celebrations.
“These are funds contributed by European states, in particular, France and the United Kingdom.
“Together with our PNG partners, we are active in sectors such as education, rural development, infrastructure, civil society, good governance or gender equality.
“This latter issue is close to our hearts and is of major importance for development,” he said.
Dihm said the EU and PNG had recently concluded a fully-fledged EU-PNG free trade agreement.
“This provides PNG with unique concessions and a privileged position in EU markets,” he said.
“It enables PNG to export all goods totally free of duty to the EU.
“We stand ready to assist PNG in facing the challenges that arise, including those from new standards set in the EU and other markets for the placing of wood products,” he said.
Europe Day was celebrated by a bumper crowd comprising European members in Port Moresby, members of the diplomatic corps and friends.
10.05.2011
Source: ESBC / BuySellSignals
FAIR VALUE 2011 Bougainville Copper Limited (click!)
The ESBC are proud to present a new study on the Fair Value of Bougainville Copper securities.
It has been estabilished by Mr. Anil Bakaya, Pune/India, one of Bougainville Copper's major shareholders. Mr. Bakaya in an analyst who owns an investor service company that provides daily up-dated business data worldwide.
10.05.2011
Source: Solomon Star
Bougainville’s Panguna landowners close to forming group to negotiate mine opening .
.
RNZI: The president of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville says they’re making progress in plans for a possible re-opening of the huge Panguna copper and gold mine.
Mining at Panguna is seen as the key to the province advancing economically.
John Momis says he’s waiting for the six landowning groups around the mine to form a representative body that can negotiate with his and the national government and Bougainville Copper Ltd.
This comes amid continuing opposition to renewed mining at Panguna, including from elements of the former militant group, the Me’ekamiu, but Mr Momis says he’s unconcerned by that.
“We can’t listen and we can’t be deterred by such mutterings. The landowners have a lot to say. We do realise that there are people throughout Bougainville who claim that the Panguna mine should benefit all of us, of course it will benefit all of us, but we must get the landowners, under the law, to agree to have the mine open.”
10.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Success Story
By Aloysius Laukai
This is a human interest success story from Bougainville.
A young Bougainvillean was able to study by Distance Learning Online though the Southern Cross University Lismore campus School of Business and graduated with Masters in Business Administration on April 9th 2011 at the Wesly Conference Centre in Sydney.
The young Bougainvillean started in 2007 and took him three years to complete 12 units by course work including six electives and six core units.
Justin Borgia who with UNDP on Bougainville and based in Arawa was able to do this on his own- self sponsor something that most people will not do.
It costed him Seventy Thousand Kina for all courses which include unit costs exam and workshop travels to Port Moresby and back to Buka.
I happened to meet Justin at his Office to get this success story. Pictured is Mr Borgia getting a hand shake from the Chancellor of Southern Cross University Hon. John Dowd AO QC.
10.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Bougainville Land Summit in Arawa May 9th to May 13th, 2011
Picture of Momis having lunch with some of the overseas people participating at the summi
The Natural Resources Minister which includes Mining and Lands, Michael Oni presented President with the Summit documents in a specialy made Basket with the Summit written on it.
Former ABG Finance Minister, Mathias Salas briefed the seminar on how the land was taken by the Government for BCL to use. He even had documents to qualify his comments.
ABG President Chief John Momis entering the Land Summit venue at Sharp Memorial Hall in Arawa this morning.
Picture of Chief Administrator Lawrence Disin addressing the seminar this morning.
10.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
POLICE ELECTION CONCERN
By Tom Kathoa
Meanwhile, Bougainville Police have expressed concern about funding of its election coverage.
Head of Bougainville Police, Assistant Commissioner, Thomas Eluh says the electoral office has not informed him of funding for police election operations in North Bougainville.
Commissioner Eluh said his office needs about Three Hundred Thousand kina for its operation.
He said his men are also involved in election awareness campaign.
Police personal and other officers employed in the conduct of the election have started moving into their respective polling places throughout North Bougainville region.
10.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
POPOSOKO COMP
By Tom Kathoa
The people of Poposoko Village in the Hagogohe Constituency will see the grand finale of Volley Ball games this weekend.
The competition started on Easter weekend is the brain child of youths in the village.
The young people got together and came up with the idea to stage such a tournament to get them involved in something good for themselves.
Their initiative is fully endorsed by several village elders who want the youths to avoid engaging in unlawful activities like drinking alcohol and the illegal drug marijuana.
The competition has drawn large crowds and has been described by leaders as a success.
The men and women’s teams from both Mangoana and Kobasa have earned themselves the right to play for the top two positions in the competition.
Destiny a team from neighboring Suhin village has secured the third spot in the woman’s section.
The community is gearing up and preparing well for the finale gathering this weekend.
10.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
COUNT DOWN
By Tom Kathoa
All preparations for the North Bougainville by election have been completed with those involved in the election putting together final touches to the program.
While polling teams have been despatched to their respective polling places, candidates are working extra hours to visit as many places as possible to secure enough votes.
Those who have covered the whole electorate are now conducting mop up exercise just to remind the voters of their support with polling only three days away.
Polling for the North Bougainville by election starts this Saturday, 14th May and will end on the 20th May.
The people of North Bougainville will know who their new member of parliament is when counting is completed.
Writs flor the election would be returned on the 10th of June 2011.
10.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
RESOURCES OWNERS
By Aloysius Laukai, Arawa
Papua New Guineans are the resources owners on their land and as such they should benefit from the development of these resources.
President of the ABG, Hon John Momis said while we own these mineral and other resources, the benefits go to outsiders.
President Momis said everything must be done to make resource owners get a fair and better share of the benefits from these resources.
Speaking to participants of a three day land submit in Arawa, today the president said foreign companies would continue to develop our natural rich resources for the next 30 years until we have the capacity and know how to develop and manage these resources on our own.
He said the government has a duty to protect these resources for the future generations.
The ABG President says Bougainville is in a better position now to make changes to laws governing the ownership of natural resources in the region.
According to the national constitution, people own the land, but the state owns all the resources under the ground.
The president says this law can be changed to give the people the right to own everything on top and underneath the land.
Picture of the participants at the Lands summit / Picture by Justin Borgia UN Buka
10.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SECOND TO NONE
BY Aloysius Laukai, Arawa
Bougainvilleans are hard working and honest people according to the President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Hon Chief John Momis..
President Chief John Momis when addressing the opening of the three day land submit in Arawa said it is a fact that Bougainvilleans are hard working people.
He said regardless of poor road conditions, low commodity prices and so forth people continue to work on their copra and cocoa plantations and food gardens to earn a living and for their survival.
The President told the participants that he is happy that such an important forum was organized to deal with land issues and to inform the people of the usefulness of their land.
Among the topics to be discussed are alienated land, customary and traditional land rights and lands that have been bought by churches and plantation owners
The land submit which started yesterday will end this Thursday.
10.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Koike launches illegal operation
By PETERSON TSERAHA
CIVILIANS and villagers in the troubled Konnou constituency are now on red alert when the criminal element allegedly led by Damien Koike launched an operation code named “Operation Leader Out” in their base in Lukauko village.
Villagers in Wisai received a threatening phone call from their VSAT from one of the criminal element members, saying they are now well-equipped and ready to move and execute the operation in Konnou constituency and in South Bougainville.
According to reliable sources, the operation is directly aimed at the Autonomous Bougainville Government whose leadership is now under threat.
Wisai Liberation Movement (WILMO) commander Philip Pusua confirmed the report recently.
Mr Pusua further stated that the person who issued the threat was one of those who allegedly fired upon civilians over the Easter weekend, instantly killing one of them.
“We all have to do something now before this gets out of hand and out of our control, because this threat and operation is aimed directly to the ABG leadership,” Mr Pusua said.
“Now the ABG leadership is under threat from these criminals.”
10.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Tanks blamed
BOUGAINVILLE’S northern tip, Haku, would not have gone through a cholera outbreak if the 200 water tank project promised to them by leaders were distributed on time.
Former North Bougainville MP, now Governor General Sir Michael Ogio, “dished” out a K1.2 million water tank project to a Bougainville businessman to supply 200 water tanks to the people of north Bougainville. The project, according to the Bougainville finance officers, was awarded to a Bougainvillean (named) and early this year K900,000 was disbursed to the company contracted while the other K200,000 was still outstanding.
The North Bogugainvilleans are now requesting the ABG District administration or those in authority to disseminate such information to detail where the 200 water tanks destined for rural areas of Buka Island have disappeared to and an explanation on where the funds from now GG Ogio has been kept and left.
The disgruntled group had also demanded the authorities to confirm that K600,000 was parked in Treasury Bills at the Central Bank of PNG.
But the Bougainville finance office could not detail and provide the information requested by the people that fronted up at their offices last week.
The Post-Courier, however was privy to documents detailing that K600,000 of that payments was kept in Treasury Bills at the Bank of Papua New Guinea.
09.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Bougainville land summit underway
By ALOYSIUS LAUKAI
LAND experts from Australia, New Zealand, PNG and Bougainville have gathered this week at Arawa, Bougainville, to discuss Bougainville land issues and how best the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and its people can best manage this asset.
ABG president John Momis, in welcoming everyone to the summit said this is an opportunity for stakeholders to look at realistic ways of managing land in Bougainville.
He says the land summit would enable ABG to hear the view of landowners and consider establishing new land laws specific to Bougainville.
He said PNG today has to deal with land management issues either through the foreign concept of ownership or the indigenous concept of ownership of land and resources which often does not settle well with the people.
This week’s land summit, Momis says, will help Bougainville address this issue by looking at ways to merge positive and realistic concepts from both the foreign and indigenous concepts of land management.
He added that by way of merging workable practices of land management concepts, the people of Bougainville would not lose their culture and livelihood derived from the land.
The summit which was launched today will end on Thursday.
09.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Carterets receives relief supplies
By ALOYSIUS LAUKAI
Basic food supplies of rice, flour and oil were successfully distributed to the people of Carterets atolls on Friday.
Bougainville Disaster coordinator Franklyn Lacey was at Carterets atolls for one week, distributing the relief supplies.
Lacey said Carterets was the first to receive the relief supplies as it was the worst affected by rising sea level followed by Nisan Island which is currently facing food shortage.
He says the current batch of supplies is the last of the rations made possible by a three thousand kina donation from AusAID to assist Bougainville with current relief efforts to the atolls and islands affected by rising sea level.
Meanwhile, Lacey says Hitau island near Pororan is also facing food shortage and due to funding constraints, his office was able to arrange with the people of Halia in North Bougainville to provide Hitau islanders with garden food in exchange for fish for the next six months.
09.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Vaccination week ends
BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI
Vaccination week in Bougainville ended yesterday with health officials satisfied that many parents made use of the opportunity to have their babies vaccinated.
Health officials in Buka say the vaccination week, a first in the region and in Papua New Ginea, was a success but they are not able to give the exact number of babies vaccinated last week until all results have been finalized.
They add that they would focus on compiling the results of last week’s event from all outstations and finalize the report before making the report public.
Bougainville Health division in partnership with World Health Organization and AusAID had hoped to immunize at least 6000 babies throughout the region.
09.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Mr PIP to arrive in BUKA
BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI
The world movie producers of Mr PIP movie will be arriving in Buka this week and will travel to Pidia, home of late WILLIAM TAKAKU to begin filming of the movie Mr PIP.
Famous executive producer of the movies SHREK and NANIA, ANDREW ADAMSON is amongst the production team that will be travelling to Bougainville.
The team is expected to stay for a month to film the story of Mr. PIPS, a white man who lived in Bougainville during the crisis.
Bougainvilleans are advised to help the film crew whenever they are seen in town with their film equipment and also to show the visitors the true spirit of Bougainville hospitality.
09.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Police Chief Appeals to Koike
By MARIA LAUKAI
Bougainville police chief ACP THOMAS ELUH is appealing to Me’ekamui South Bougainville commander Damien Koike and his men to lay down their weapons and support Bougainville Police Service or BPS in ensuring peace in the region.
ACP ELUH says he wants to personally meet with KOIKE and his men and tell them more about the BPS community policing concept which needs the commitment and support of everyone including KOIKE and his men.
Mr ELUH made this appeal after a planned meeting with KOIKE two weeks ago was not successful because KOIKE decided to meet only with the United Nations representative in Bougainville ANTHONY AGYENTA and Bougainville Catholic Bishop BERNARD UNABALI.
Mr ELUH said he was informed that the reason why KOIKE did not want to meet with him was because of a confrontation three years ago at TONU between KOIKE’S faction and BPS special operations team.
ACP ELUH said that is in the past now and appealed to KOIKE and his men to stop all criminal activities and work together for the betterment of Bougainville.
09.05.2011
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Bougainville’s Panguna landowners close to forming group to negotiate mine opening
The president of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville says they’re making progress in plans for a possible re-opening of the huge Panguna copper and gold mine.
Mining at Panguna is seen as the key to the province advancing economically.
John Momis says he’s waiting for the six landowning groups around the mine to form a representative body that can negotiate with his and the national government and Bougainville Copper Ltd.
This comes amid continuing opposition to renewed mining at Panguna, including from elements of the former militant group, the Me’ekamiu, but Mr Momis says he’s unconcerned by that.
“We can’t listen and we can’t be deterred by such mutterings. The landowners have a lot to say. We do realise that there are people throughout Bougainville who claim that the Panguna mine should benefit all of us, of course it will benefit all of us, but we must get the landowners, under the law, to agree to have the mine open.”
09.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Rebel wages war on ABG
ONE of Bougainville’s notorious Me’ekamui rebel hardliners has declared war on his own Autonomous Government leaders with a bitter feeling towards the empty promises made to them.
Damien Koike had launched an operation code named “Operation Leader out” in their base in Lukauko village, south Bougainville. When asked why he was doing that, he said that was to counter the empty promises of the ABG, but could not further speak on the matter.
Bougainville’s top cop ACP Thomas Eluh confirmed the operation was launched but could not elaborate on the issue. And Police Station Command in Buin said the ABG should now take an immediate step to address the issue because it has now become political to address.
The United Nations and the Churches are also aware of this operation but could not fully comment on the latter.
But Moongai homeguards said that villagers in Wisai received a threatening phone call from their VSAT from one of the criminal element members saying their now well equipped and ready to move and execute the operation in Konnou constituency and in South Bougainville. Wisai Liberation Movement (WILMO) commander Philip Pusua confirmed the report to the Post Courier last week.
But Me’ekamui Defence Force Commander Chris Uma when contacted told the Post Courier he was the original Me’ekamui and chief and the actions by Koike were not supported by him and his soldiers. Moses Pipiro’s hardline executives in Panguna also said that Koike was doing this alone, not with their support and advised they will travel to Buin this week to try and sort the problem out. Late last week, the Post-Courier received a report from four other armed factions in Buin claiming they were ready to combat and counter the operation. They claimed they were fed up of the actions by Koike and his men.
Reports detailed the person who issued the threat was one of those who allegedly fired upon civilians over the Easter weekend instantly killing one of them.
“Now the ABG leadership is under threat from these criminals, and the only way now is law and order needs to take its course, these people need to be arrested and face the full force of the law now before it’s too late…these are mere criminals taking the Law into their own hands as if their kings of this land. “We find it hard to abide by the peace agreement because if we do and we will surely die at the hands of these criminals because we have taken up arms to protect ourselves and our people in the Konnou constituency.”
09.05.2011
Source: ESBC Research
Are the Me’ekamui Remote Controlled from Abroad ?
Since April 2011 the homepage of the criminal Bank of Me’ekamui (www.ibom.biz) is not alone in the internet: There is now a new attractive site of a so called "Government of Me’ekamui", (www.governmentofmeekamui.net ) online. Who is behind these two professional homepages? The ESBC made some research on this and found out surprising facts. It's highly probable that interested "white-collar" subjects from abroad are behind these mean activities.
World class homepage of a notorious local criminal !
Better homepage than PNG: the self-appointed Me'ekamui site!
Both homepages have one thing in common: Both are hosted in the United States of America and updated regularly. The IBOM homepage is made in Drums, Pennsylvania by Mr. Benjamin Papaala.
Residing in a cosy village in Pennsylvania (U.S.A.): The cyber home of the criminal International Bank of Me'ekamui !
Round about four hours drive further east from Drums is the home of the government of Me’ekamui in Woodmere, New York. The small village of Woodmere is only some minutes drive away from JFK Airport. The legal owner of the Government of Meekamui domain is a certain 62 years old Mr. Stewart Sytner who lives in a splendid villa in 566, Linda Lane, Woodmere, N.Y. 11598. The technical support comes from Phoenix, Arizona.
Jaguar limousine in front: Mr. Stewart Sytner's home and Me'ekamui "government" residence in Woodmere, N.Y.
Both homepages are even very professionaly made and pretend to reflect the reality on Bougainville. The IBOM site even provides in-depth information not only in English but also in French and German. The Government of Me’ekamui’s site pretends to represent Bougainville interest and resources. True is that there is only one lawful governance power on Bougainville: The Autonomous Bougainville Government with Hon. John Momis as President and furthermore the National Government of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.
The same is for the banks in Bougainville: There is a branch of the Bank of Southern Pacific in Buka. The so called International Bank of Me’ekamui is simply a mere - a fantasy of notorious conman Noah Musingku and his mentally troubled followers to cheat customers. Same procedure as in the past! Find out more about conman "King Pei" Noah Musingku here in a Journeyman's Pictures report, published on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xysdwautkpc&feature=player_embedded !
Who are these two gentlemen who owne these two homepages? Why do they host and design such homepages? Who are the people who fund these activities in the United States of America? What are their real intentions? Is it perhaps again the Pritzker Group that already in the 1980s tried to take over Bougainville Copper Limited or are interested groups in PNG involved? There had even been rumors on the ground that the Pritzker Group might have initiated the Bougainville Crises by giving money to some prominent leaders to weaken BCL's position. Is the Pritzker Group again trying to overtake the Panguna mine? Has the Pritzker Group been behind all the violent volatility of BCL shares suffered form within the last 12 months? Who works together in Bougainville with doubtful people in the U.S. and why?
The ESBC has no answers to all these questions yet . We only know that there are a growing number of visitors from the United States on our homepage. That might be evidence for increasing interest of U.S. investors in Bougainville Copper Limited and - perhaps - for some ongoing strange back-stage activities. Howver: these activities are the best evidence that Panguna still of great interest for many greedy people all over the world!
All readers who are able to provide further in-depth information to complete the story, please contact the ESBC here! Don't hesitate, it's only one click!
06.05.2011
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Bougainville violence threat comes from minority says expert
Threats from hardline supporters of a separatist group on the Papua New Guinea Island of Bougainville against the re-opening of the mine there are not representative of what most people there think.
That's according to Dr Tony Regan, from the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia program at the Australian National University in Canberra.
A group calling itself the Mekamui Hardliners says negotiations about reopening the Panguna copper and gold mine are not taking place with their members, who they say are the real landowners, and not others who live in Port Moresby.
They're threatened a return to violence if the mine reopens, saying all it takes is one bullet to stop it.
Dr Regan says the Mekamui faction does represent some landowners, but it's a minority, and most Bougainvillians are in favour of getting the mine operational again.
Listen here !
Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speaker: Dr Tony Regan, from the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia program at the Australian National University
DR REGAN: I understand the group of Bougainvilleans living in Melbourne and in Solomon Islands, however they do go back to Bougainville where they're from and they are in touch with people in Bougainville who still are opposed to mining, some on cultural grounds, some on environmental grounds, but in general there's never been a huge level of opposition to mining in Bougainville. The conflict is not originally about total opposition to mining. It was much more about the unfairness of the distribution of revenue and benefits from the mine. Even Francis Ona has wrongly portrayed, the original leader of the BRA, he's wrongly portrayed by many in Australia as an environmental warrior. He wasn't. He was somebody who was using the environmental issues and the damage from the environment from the mine as a way of emphasising the point that the damage being done in Bougainville was significant and the revenue should be flowing much more to Bougainvilleans. And when he became a secessionist, he envisaged the mine being the main source of revenue to an independent Bougainville.
HILL: What's the sentiment on reopening the mine on the island at the moment, because I remember at the end of the Bougainville civil war, I spoke to Sam Kauona and Joseph Kabui, two of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army leaders and asked them if they ever thought the mine would reopen and they were both vehemently opposed to it and said no, it started this war, we don't want it happening ever again.
DR REGAN: Yes, and in due course, both of them have become supporters of the reopening of mining, because it was clear that without mining, it was going to be difficult to get the revenue needed to make Bougainville autonomy work or for independence to be realistic. So there's been a significant swing of opinion from people who were originally thought after the conflict, that the conflict had been caused by mining and therefore we should avoid mining, to a much more open opinion on it. However, there still is a significant minority of Bougainvilleans opposed to mining. But basically the threat is not particularly important, because it's been made very clear by the Bougainville government, by BCL, by the National Government that in the end, the opening of the mine is a matter for the Bougainville government to decide, ask for consultation with the people and if there's strong views against mining, it's very unlikely that anyone's going to want to invest the three or four billion US dollars that's going to be required to reopen the mine. And so threats really aren't necessary. It's clear that all views are going to be taken into account.
HILL: Well, the president of the autonomous government, John Momis, has said that they want mining to restart, they want foreign investment, but to get foreign investment, they're going to have to ensure that they're investment is safe, which is why they want to get all the guns off people and he's threatened if that doesn't work, RAMSI-style intervention forces might be needed. Is that something that's possible or likely?
DR REGAN: It would be very difficult to organise an international intervention in Bougainville again, but not impossible. The UN remains very interested in Bougainville, the region remains very interested. The problem that the president is talking about is very real. There's significant numbers of weapons in Bougainville and there's been many efforts made in the last five years, since the first significant weapons disposal, both are supervised by the UN ended, to get weapons out and they've not been very successful. So what the president is saying is that if the leaders of the group that are holding weapons cannot get together with communities, find a way of ensuring all groups feel secure enough and safe enough to give up their weapons, then serious alternatives are going to have to be looked at. So he's really just signalling to people think about this and of course disposal of weapons is not merely about mining. Of course, it's going to be necessary to have the disposal of weapons if mining is to go ahead, but there are many other significant reasons why Bougainvilleans want the weapons got rid off, including just the threat to security and peace of the ordinary people, the use of weapons in crime, in violence and so on and the president's very concerned about those issues as well from many statements that he's made.
05.05.2011
Source: Radio New Zealand International
South Bougainville not safe for officers say police
Bougainville’s assistant police commissioner says armed militants in the south of the autonomous province of Papua New Guinea are making it unsafe for officers to work there.
The comment follows a suggestion by Bougainville’s president, John Momis, that United Nations peacekeepers may be needed to deal with lawlessness and violence in the area.
Assistant commissioner Thomas Eluh says a group of about 30 men under the command of a former Bougainville Revolutionary Army combatant named Damien Koike are killing civilians.
But Mr Eluh says it’s too risky to send officers to investigate.
“In terms of manpower, I’m really down in manpower at the moment. I mean I’ve got only about 179 police personnel who are not, according to the peace agreement and the constitution, it does not allow police to be armed so we are confronted with all these challenges.”
Thomas Eluh says the police are hoping civil society organisations may be successful in negotiating Damien Koike’s surrender.
05.05.2011
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Bougainville women’s NGO to try and talk to militant leaders
The head of a Bougainville women’s NGO says it’s preparing to talk to those involved in the build-up of arms in the autonomous Papua New Guinea province, including the leader of the militant Mekamui Defence Force.
This comes after Bougainville’s president, John Momis, said it may be necessary to have peacekeepers return if violence and lawlessness continue in the south of the main island.
Leitana Nehan Development Agency’s Helen Hakena says the Mekamui no longer trusts the government but its commander, Damian Koike, will listen to the women of the province.
“The women have a lot of influence because as mothers we do not have enemies. We just want peace and you know our children to grow up in a peaceful environment. We do not want to lose any more lives you know, either from the commander’s side or from the civilians. Because they’re killing civilians.”
Helen Hakena says women’s organisations won’t move into Bougainville’s southern area until the government states clearly what it wants them to do.
05.05.2011
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Bougainville militant killing civilians - police
Bougainville’s assistant police commissioner says armed militants in the south of the autonomous province of Papua New Guinea are killing civilians.
The president John Momis has said if negoatiations don’t quell violence and lawlessness in the area he’s prepared to call in United Nations peacekeepers.
The assistant commissioner Thomas Eluh says a group of about 30 men under the command of a former Bougainville Revolutionary Army combatant named Damien Koike are killing civilians.
Mr Eluh says Mr Koike had agreed to speak with him but then reneged on the deal.
“From the information we’ve been getting he just goes out and kills people you know at his own wish. Maybe people who dislike him or people who talk against or people who may be in some dispute against him or his group, they just go out and kill these innocent people.”
Thomas Eluh says police are also considering calling on other ex-BRA combatants who may have been associated with Damien Koike to try and negotiate with him.
05.05.2011
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Conflict in south Bougainville stopping development
Bougainville’s president says it’s not feasible to start developing the Konnou region in the south of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province because of lawlessness there.
The comment comes as the police say the region’s not safe for their unarmed officers to police and civil society organisations to prepare to approach the militants to get them to stop killing civilians.
John Momis says his administration has development plans for Konnou but it’s not feasible to start any projects.
“Because number one, the Konnou area comprises of a whole lot of people who don’t see eye-to-eye and unless we get them to agree to work together it is in fact irresponsible to start embarking on something that’s will only end up in smoke.”
John Momis says United Nations peacekeepers may be needed if a summit he’s called of the wider south Bougainville community doesn’t come up with ways to solve the problem internally.
05.05.2011
Source: ME'EKAMUI MEDIA RELEASE
RE-OPENING OF PANGUNA MINE IS NOT NEGOTIABLE
Locals from Bougainville are keen to correct the pro-mine media regarding the reopening of the Panguna mine and warn against misrepresentation of views and a repeat of the bloody violence of the past. The proponent, Bougainville Copper Limited is majority owned by Rio Tinto, whose AGM will be held in Perth today.
Phillip Banas spokesperson for the Mekamui Hardliners said “The re-opening of the Panguna mine on Bougainville is not-negotiable.”
“The people that own the land around the mine site are adamant that they would not allow that to happen immediately or in future.”
Overseas media or personal are contacting people they say represent the mine or land owners in Panguna, but those people do not represent the real views of the rightful land owners. They most of the time live out of Bougainville, out of touch, and in comfort miles away in Port Moresby. As a result what they talk about is hear-say, out of context, wishful thinking, and out of thinking of real land owners and Bougainvilleans.
“This is a volatile and an explosive situation that should be treated delicately and with caution. The real issue why the mine was closed is still not being addressed yet.”
So the real issue is that consultation must be made at grass root level, views of the ordinary people on the ground must be addressed and wider consultation taken on board.
Views of Bankers, Technocrats, and Politicians are seen as ploys to get the rich to richer and the poor to get poorer. So the poor land owners will always be the biggest losers at the end, because of ill conceived decisions that was made in a hasty mood by some one or people that overlooked real issues and failed to contact real people.
“Bougainville has gone through a bloody path in the past, and if things go wrong at this stage, history shows that the path can always be repeated.”
For further information and comment, contact the Mekamui Hardliners on;
Phillip Banas, Ph: +677 847 0907 Clive Porabou, Ph: +677 750 5944
05.05.2011
Source: The National
Bougainville govt cautions groups not to disturb peace process
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has cautioned Bougainvilleans, national government and foreigners interested in the resources at Panguna to be mindful of the peace process that is in progress.
Vice-president Patrick Nisira said the progress of peace through the Panguna Unification and Reconciliation process “is fragile”.
“It is very important to the people of Bougainville region.
“The peace process belongs to the ABG acting directly on behalf of the people of Bougainville and the people of Panguna,” Nisira said.
He said the ABG was responsible for the welfare and well-being of its people and “anyone who has business interests in Bougainville must be mindful of the status of the people”.
“It is not always easy to deal with people who have different ideas and who see things differently from traditional methods of resolving conflicts to formal methods scrutinised by world bodies or international communities,” Nisira said.
He urged that all national members of parliament, ABG ministers, business houses and individuals to be honest and not make empty promises to the people of Panguna to win favours.
“I have negotiated with the ABG mandate and not with money or commitments for the government to pay anything or give people promises of wealth of any kind,” Nisira said.
He said the ABG had dealt through the normal government process and made a breakthrough with perseverance and personal contact and communication using the traditional Bougainville way of dialogue and making peace.
“I want to remind us that the world is watching us Bougainvilleans and the way we conduct ourselves must be up to standards set and must be sustained,” Nisira said.
05.05.2011
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Bougainville hardliners warn against reopening Panguna mine
Listen here !
Self-styled hardliners on the Papua New Guinea island of Bougainville have warned against any attempt to re-open the Panguna copper and gold mine.
There has been talk of starting up operations at the mine recently, and the President of the Bougainville autonomous government, John Momis, says foreign investment is needed to unlock the islands' mineral wealth.
But followers of the late Francis Ona, who lead the hardline Mekamui faction of the rebels during the 10 year old civil war , say re-opening the mine is not negotiable, and warn of renewed conflict if it goes ahead.
Phillip Banas, a Solomon Islands based spokesman for a group describing itself as Mekamui hardliners, says people in Port Moresby claiming to be traditional landowners of Panguna and who are discussing the idea of allowing the mine to operate again do not represent the actual landowners who still live there.
Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speakers: Phillip Banas, a Solomon Islands based spokesman the Mekamui hardliners from Bougainville
05.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Policy set for joint ventures
By Alex Munme
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government has a policy in place for joint venture arrangements for business activities in the region.
The policy is a mechanism to ensure that desired classes of investors benefit from an enterprise.
Under the policy, any foreign investor seeking access to natural resources shall have a local partner to ensure participation of local people and other resources to localise a proportion of the benefits.
The policy states that effective joint ventures consist of genuine business partners who contribute to the venture and are rewarded from profits according to their contributions.
Foreign investors have free access to the market but it is required that where any natural resources are involved in the enterprise, these are to be accessed through a joint venture arrangement with the owners of the resources.
An example of such an arrangement is when a company wants a factory site, it would enter into a joint venture with the owner of the site.
The owner would lease the site to the locally registered company and be paid for the lease according to agreed terms.
The value of the resources contributed can be used to determine the proportion of the shares which each partner holds in the company.
This is more equitable than arbitrarily deciding that each member has 50 per cent, 49 per cent or some other division. If State land is involved, such land shall be leased to a local entity in a joint venture arrangement. This overcomes the difficulty of having a foreign owner for local resources and also overcomes the issue of the State not being directly involved in enterprises which it is also responsible for regulating.
This policy is put in place to guide, assist and protect all including the foreign investor, the local partner, the resource owner and ABG. The function of ABG in relation to joint venture is a regulatory role.
05.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
21-gun salute meets G-G
SIR Michael Ogio yesterday arrived to a 21-gun salute as Papua New Guinea’s ninth Governor-General since Independence in 1975.
Sir Michael Ogio became the country’s vice-regal soon after relinquishing his North Bougainville Open seat in Parliament to replace fellow-New Guinea islander Sir Paulias Matane.
Sir Michael was a three-term parliamentarian.
On arrival at 8.30am Sir Michael was treated to the normal protocol, including inspection of a guard of honour.
Acting Prime Minister, Sam Abal, led a group of dignitaries that officially welcomed Sir Michael following his formal investiture by the Queen in London last week.
Included was the conference of the titles of Grand Companion of Saint Michael and Saint George (GCMG), Companion of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG and Knight of Saint Johns (KStJ).
For the State this was an improvement from his send-off a week ago when Mr Abal was the only dignitary that saw him off for his inauguration.
Port Moresby residents and especially those in the vicinity of the Jacksons International Airport were caught off-guard when the 21-gun salute was fired by PNG Defence Force personnel to mark the occasion.
Many were caught off-guard by the loud successive explosions not knowing what the occasion was, but which they later learnt was the arrival of the Governor- General.
Both the PNGDF and the Royal PNG Constabulary were involved in the formal welcome with the police band providing the marching musical orders.
PNGDF Commander, Francis Agwi, escorted Sir Michael for the inspection of the guard of honour, witnessed by Mr Abal, Chief Secretary Margaret Elias, Foreign Affairs Secretary Peter Mauwe and other departmental heads.
The occasion thus marked the end of formalities on the appointment of Sir Michael as the Governor-General of PNG, which now allow him to perform the roles of the Queen’s representative in PNG.
05.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
NOT ENOUGH TIME….LAUTA
By Tom Kathoa
A Candidate in the North Bougainville Bye election says he will not have enough time to implement all projects initiated by the former member cum Governor General, Michael Ogio.
A candidate contesting the by election, Lauta Atoi said the time the new member would be in office is too short for him to adequately implement major impact projects in the electorate.
Candidate Atoi told a campaign rally at Poposoko Village in the Hagogohe Constituency yesterday that if he is elected, he would in this short period of time address the most essential needs of the people.
He said his campaign tour of villages has equipped him with the needs of the people and if given the mandate would look at fixing these needs.
They include water which is the most essential requirement of life, education, health and transportation.
Mr. Atoi said he would also complete all incomplete projects left behind by the former member.
There are many such half finished projects like, educational and health buildings in all constituencies.
Atoi said there are many four in one classrooms, health centers and staff houses half completed and he has assured the voters that he would complete these projects once given the mandate.
He would also look at buying an ambulance for people in remote areas of North Bougainville.
04.05.2011
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Bougainville women’s NGO supports possible return of peacekeepers
The head of a Bougainville women’s NGO says it supports a possible return of peace monitors to the autonomous Papua New Guinea province.
Bougainville’s president John Momis says it may be necessary to bring back the United Nations peace keepers if violence and lawlessness are not brought under control in the south of the main island.
Leitana Nehan Development Agency’s Helen Hakena says in Torokina guns from the Second World War are being dug up and used for inter-factional fighting.
“We really would like the UN to come as a peacekeeping body to come and remove all guns on Bougainville so there would be total peace across Bougainville because we are entering peace in north Bougainville and south Bougainville there is chaos down there. There is no trust, there is instability, there is insecurity there.”
Helen Hakena is calling on all of Bougainville’s civil society organisations to speak out clearly against the killings and violence taking place in the province.
04.04.2011
Source: ESBC/BCL
2011 Annual General Meeting:
All ESBC Questions and BCL Answers now online!
Please click here !
04.05.2011
Source: ESBC
ESBC press release 20110504
Me’ekamui and BRA finally unmasked !
Nearly ten years after the Bougainville Peace Agreement had been signed on August 30th, 2001 there is still no enduring peace on the remote Pacific island. Especially in the south of Bougainville, former combatants threaten, steal and kill under the flag of Me’ekamui. Self-appointed “commanders” and “generals” still terrorize innocent citizens. Round about 50 of them were even killed in South Bougainville within the last five years – amongst them: children who were playing on a football ground.
Neither the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) nor the National Papua New Guinea Government seem to be able or willing to stop the violence committed by former freedom fighters especially in the Konnou area who turned into criminal gangs. The Panguna Me’ekamuis chose a softer way for earning their livelihood. Controlling the giant mine area they demand toll from all who want to access to the giant mineral resources. It is even probable that they are involved in ongoing illicit mining on the ground. An article published on May 3rd, 2011 by self-appointed Me’ekamui spokesman Clive Porabou on his homepage describes exactly what’s happening today in the abandoned BCL Panguna mine: Individuals are digging for gold – un-authorized. Please read Porabou’s articles here!
Fanatic Clive Porabou presenting as "Mr. Nice Guy"
on the Me'ekamui blog.
Not only that these diggers are using highly poisonous mercury to separate gold from the rock and empoisoning the environment; they steal herewith BCL’s and Bougainville’s wealth for their own interest. But the island’s mineral richness is supposed to bring prosperity to all Bougainvilleans. All this illegal mining happens more or less under protection of Me’ekamui – since many years! Panguna landowners keep mostly quiet. Obviously they are intimidated by the Me’ekamuis who still illegally carry weapons. This in spite the fact that disarmament of all Bougainvilleans had been accepted in the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement, the Me’ekamui did not hand over their weapons. Me’ekamui are not the only ones: Recently there had been several so called sorcery killings around Atamo (North of Panguna) and Arawa. Allegedly there were former BRA (Bougainville Revolutionary Army) members involved. They are also supposed to finance their criminal activities by alluvial mining.
Will he get help from abroad?
ABG President John Momis
As the police forces are un-armed in Bougainville, they are - of course - not able to enforce law and order on the island. Also President John Momis learnt this. If he wants to bring peace to Bougainville he needs to seek help from abroad.
Boss of a notorious killer gang: Damien Koike
It is unlikely that law and order can be installed on Bougainville without massive foreign support. This support might cost victims amongst the Me’ekamui – especially in the south where war-lord Damien Koike is responsible for many insidious killings. Fanatic Me’ekamui Clive Porabou even predicts even new “blood-shed” on his Me’ekamui Blog (http://mekamui.wordpress.com/) !
As the Panguna Me’ekamuis are taking profit of the mine’s richness, they also may defend their vital financial resource. Their leaders actually try to defend their interest in negotiations with the ABG. So far “General Uma” and his group are “moderate outlaws”. They even negotiate under the wise leadership of Mr. Philip Miriori with the ABG for more progress on the ground.
Me'ekamui "General" Chris Uma
But Me’ekamui spokesman Clive Porabou - mislead and remote-controlled by anarchic left-wing ecologist groups in London (UK) and Australia - still continues spreading lies and jealousy in the internet and on the ground. Never has he mentioned the outrageous cruelty of his Me’ekamui “brothers” in the south on his blog. “As long as the Panguna Me’ekamuis do not clearly oppose to Koike’s and other criminal gangs they have to be considered responsible for these criminal acts committed by this murderous riffraff as well,” says the President of the European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper (ESBC). Mr. Axel G. Sturm and adds: “Hopefully the latest Porabou text will open the eyes of many good willing and honest Bougainvilleans and dismantle the fake image of these groups! The ESBC always claimed that all moderate combatants get a good chance to work for our company one day. But we will never accept killers or terrorists in Panguna!”
04.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Konnou not safe: Nasioi MP
By Peterson Tseraha
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government minister for women and community development Rose Pihei has been told not to move into Konnou, because the situation there isn’t promising at all and public money might be wasted.
The call came from member for South Nasioi and deputy chairman of the parliamentary committee for law and justice John Ken.
The call has been whole heartedly welcomed and supported by chiefs in the Konnou area where the situation is quite tense.
“Community development should move now into areas where there is already peace so that their work and money will be worth it,” Mr Ken said.
“There are places ready for community development to run workshops like parts of south central and north Bougainville, and to go into places like Konnou it will be waste of time and money.”
Mr Ken said community development should concentrate on other areas first before thinking of Konnou because they will certainly meet problems.
“A lot of money have been spent since trouble started brewing up in Konnou and we do not want to risk it anymore, so please think twice before making a move,” Mr Ken said.
“It is just like putting your hands into hot boiling water, and that is what we all do not want to do because the situation in Konnou at the moment does not permit us.”
Chiefs in the Wisai area supported the member’s call, saying the proposed summit will also be another big waste of money, and running courses in Konnou and the summit no one will attend because they are living in fear.
04.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
UN tries to contain trouble in Konnou
THE no-go area of Konnou in south Bougainville remains a critical challenge to the Bougainville peace process.
The United Nations in Bougainville is already trying to solve the problem – since last March they held a meeting with all stakeholders and recently Anthony Agyenta, UN boss in Buka, and his delegation and the Catholic Church met with the Konnou rebels to start the meeting with Damien Koike’s Me’ekamui soldiers.
Mr Agyenta said there are key ABG leaders with knowledge and contacts with these factions that a political intervention might help.
“The remnants of war-time factions are still active in this area causing insecurity and deterring extension of government and services to the local populations.”
04.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville prepares for drought
BOUGAINVILLE division of primary industry will carry out awareness on drought to communities throughout the region according to DPI’s chief executive officer, Sam Rangai.
He said officers are tasked to ensure the people in Bougainville are informed of the predicted drought next year.
Mr Rangai said the awareness aimed at informing the people on which crops to plant and the measures to take during the drought.
He said in the region, there are some areas which are commonly affected by natural disasters and these will be the target areas during the awareness.
04.05.2011
Source: The National
Radio presents new programme
BOUGAINVILLE community radio station New Dawn FM began broadcast last night of a new programme, “Know your government”.
Listeners in the region will learn more about the Autonomous Bougainville Government from the programme.
New Dawn FM owner and managing director Aloysius Laukai said the programme, which would air every Tuesday at 8.30pm, was a joint initiative of the office of ABG President John Momis and the New Dawn management.
“The new programme will complement programmes produced by the office of the president but will detail some of the activities of past government under the leadership of two former presidents, the late Joseph Kabui and second president James Tanis,” Laukai said.
He said listeners of the station would learn how past ABG governments and their administrations
had performed.
The “Know your government” programme will be hosted by journalist Thomas Kathoa and broadcaster Aloycia Laukai.
Laukai said the new programme would complement the station’s broadcast of music entertainment shows, news and current affairs and its oldest running programme on women’s health issues known as “Bougainville meri tete”.
“Bougainville meri tete was initiated last year and is sponsored by Canadian-based Commonwealth of Learning.
“Representatives of our sponsor are with us this week to review this programme and conduct broadcast training,” he said.
New Dawn FM was established in April 2008 and broadcasts throughout North Bougainville on 95.3 FM.
It plans to expand to Central and South Bougainville soon.
04.05.2011
Source: Solomon Star
Quarantine officers return.
BY GINA MAKAÁ
SIX quarantine officers who went to the Shortland Islands and to Choiseul Province have returned to Honiara.
This was confirmed by a spokesman from the Quarantine office.
The spokesman said the officers had returned from weeks of doing a monitoring surveillance in Shortland and Choiseul province.
“The group went for a pest and disease survey to look for any attacks on crops there,” he said.
The spokesman said one of the team’s main aims was also to look for a cocoa disease which was believed to be already in Bougainville.
“The name of the cocoa disease was podpoara a new disease which drill holes on cocoa pods and also allows caterpillars to feed on immature cocoa pods.
“When this happens farmers can no longer export and harvest cocoa beans because of the disease,” he said.
He said the disease is very serious and deadly.
The spokesman said the team also made awareness to people not to carry any plant material from Bougainville, to avoid the cocoa disease from reaching Solomon Islands shores.
“We are getting thousands of dollars out of cocoa but once the disease reaches our shores we will lose a big income for the country,” the spokesman said.
He said Shortland and Choiseul were considered as two high risk places because people travel in and out from Bougainville.
He said the team comprised of cocoa expert Dr John Konam from the Cocoa Livelihood Improvement Project (CLIP) the team’s leader and officers from agriculture and quarantine divisions.
The group will present their findings by the end of this week.
The trip was funded by CLIP under the AusAid funding.
03.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
TONSU BY-ELECTION
The people of Tonsu constituency will have an open member to represent them in the ABG parliament by October this year.
This will be after the constituency goes through a by-election to elect again a leader to represent them after Tonsu member honourable EZEKIEL MASAT resigned from his post in March, to contest the national North Bougainville by-election.
Bougainville Executive Council today announced it has approved and selected the following dates for the Tonsu by-election.
Nominations open with the issue of writs on 1st August by ABG speaker ANDREW MIIRIKI. Nominations close on 8th August and polling will be from 10th September to 15th September with the return of writs on 28th September.
Chairman and Acting President honourable PATRICK NISIRA said the by-election needs to be conducted early because the vacancy was a disadvantage to the people of Tonsu constituency.
Meanwhile, the appointment of the acting electoral commissioner Mr Reitama Taravaru has been extended to 31st December.
03.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Vaccine
Bougainville needs children’s hospital
BOUGAINVILLE needs a children’s hospital says ABG vice president and health minister PATRICK NISIRA.
In launching the vaccination week today at Buka Hospital, NISIRA directed Bougainville Health Division, Buka Hospital Management and WHO to begin planning of this children’s hospital project.
NISIRA instructed that the authorities draw up a specific plan including cost of the proposed children’s hospital.
He said the children of Bougainville are the future of the region and they must be well taken care off.
He also called on parents and health workers throughout the region to support one of ABG’s strategic action plan to build a healthy population through immunization.
NISIRA added that everyone must cooperate in this important program to ensure the children of Bougainville do not die from preventable diseases.
He said ABG’s responsibility was to create a conducive environment for children to grow healthy and also have easy access to quality health care.
Nisira also said ABG is also responsible for ensuring that health care facilities have the capacity to provide quality health care for the children of Bougainville.
03.05.2011
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Bougainville considers calling on UN to end lawlessness
The president of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville says he may call on the United Nations to send in peace keepers if violence and lawlessness continue in the Konnou region in the south of the main island.
The President John Momis says Bougainville won’t be able to hold a referendum on independence, as scheduled from 2015, if the rule of law is not fully observed or guns remain in the community.
He says peace keepers may be needed if a summit he’s called of the wider south Bougainville community doesn’t come up with ways to solve the problem internally.
Bougainville president John Momis: “If the internally developed strategy doesn’t work, to put an end to this problem, then we might have to consider the deployment of a kind of foreign intervention force - not on a big scale like the RAMSI style in the Solomons, but having the presence of peace keepers or peace monitors in Bougainville to encourage those with guns, many of whom are at loggerheads with one another, to dispose of guns.”
03.05.2011
Source: The National
Bougainville land meet set for next week
ALL land will be the focus of discussions among stakeholders in the Bougainville Land Summit from May 9 to 12 in Arawa.
Facilitated by the Bougainville division of lands and physical planning, discussions will cover areas of mining and development, customary land management, mission and plantation land acquisition and PNG land law reform.
In a district land workshop report circulated for pre-consultation in preparation for the summit, the report said 97% of land on Bougainville was customary owned yet no protection was given through any legislation.
The remaining 3% of land is state land for public purposes and leasing.
“During the Bougainville crisis, many lease holders abandoned their land and never returned, including residential, commercial, government and plantation land,” the report said.
It said misinformation was spread during that time that all alienated land had returned to traditional landowners.
“This was fallacy and has caused significant confusion over land tenure in Bougainville.”
The Bougainville Land Summit, a first for the region, will seek to address these concerns through discussions on land use and natural resources, customary land rights and obligations and land disputes and legal processes.
The guest speakers to the summit will include ABG minister of lands and natural resources Michael Oni, land experts Dr Jim Fingleton and Dr Ruth Spriggs and Bishop Bernard Unabali, who will present an overview of land acquired by missions.
03.05.2011
Source: The National
ABG’s new teachers learn policies and procedures
By STEPHANIE ELIZAH
NEW graduates teaching for the first time in elementary, secondary and vocational schools in Bougainville have learnt the policies and procedures of the Bougainville education division.
Newly-appointed senior and head teachers are among those in the induction exercise.
Senior professional assistant for in-service and secondary schools David Kelele said 160 teachers from throughout the autonomous region gathered at Hutjena High School for the induction exercise, which ended last Thursday.
“We invited stakeholders like police, Teachers’ Savings and Loans (TSL), Nambawan Super, ABG Autonomy division and Community Development, to market their programmes and inform the teachers of their (stakeholder’s) roles,” Kelele said.
He said the induction was jointly funded by board of managements of participating schools under the school learning improvement plan (SLIP) programme and the Bougainville education division.
“The only teachers not inducted this year are those from Mortlock, Tasman, Nissan and Caterets atolls, who missed out because of the lack of transport.
“Every year, they miss out on this very important induction exercise, it is becoming a real concern for the division,” Kelele said.
He appealed to the Autonomous Bougainville Government to help the division address this issue of sea transport for the atolls.
03.05.2011
Source: The National
Bougainville MP: Plantations sold without locals knowing
By JEFFREY ELAPA
MORE than eight rundown cocoa and coconut plantations in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have been secretly sold to foreign companies.
However the traditional landowners of those plantations want the land to be given back to them.
Member for Central Bougainville Jimmy Miringtoro, who is behind the move, told reporters during a press conference that more than 30,000ha of land had been transferred privately to Australian owners without the knowledge of the landowners.
The plantations were first established by Germans in 1910 and were some of the biggest cocoa and copra plantation.
They were abandoned at the height of the Bougainville crisis.
He said the Numanuma, Arigua and Tomanapu plantations in his Central Bougainville had their titles transferred to new owners without consulting the traditional landowners.
He said they were now calling on the owners to tell the people how the transactions took place.
He said his people wanted the land back to use because the population of the locals had increased tremendously over the years.
“The people want their land back because they want to take full control and ownership of the plantation as the 99-year leases expired a long time ago and they have the right to take the plantation lands back,” he said.
Miringtoro he said the people of Central Bougainville wanted to use the legal and modern ways to take their land back and had engaged Joseph Nanei, of JB Nanei and companies, to see if there were any legal options for them to get their land back.
He said the land sold were acquired by force.
He said once the land was transferred back to them, they could mobilise themselves to form cooperatives and seek government help to revive the rundown plantations.
The land transfer move has received support from the Autonomous Bougainville Government and members of parliament from the region.
02.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Vaccination Week
ABG vice president and health minister Patrick Nisira (left) is assisted by a MCH nurse in applying a dose of the measles vaccine as part of the launch of the Bougainville Vaccination Week from May 2 – 6.
02.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
LIQUOR OUTLETS WARNING
By Tom Kathoa
Owners’ of Bottle Shops in the North Region of Bougainville may lose their trading licenses if they fail to observe liquor trading laws as specified in their trading licenses
Head of Police for North Bougainville, Inspector Cletus TSIEN says there are about One Hundred and Fifty (150) liquor outlets in the region; a figure he says is too high for an area with a small population.
Buka Town alone has 110 trade stores selling liquor in their premises with 48 at Kokopau just across the Buka Passage.
Mr. Tsien said police will engaged several officers checking to make sure that liquor laws are followed and not abused.
He said the common abuse is, allowing already drunken people to continue to purchase liquor, trading outside of the legal trading hours and the consumption of liquor by the shop owners themselves and store keepers.
Inspector Tsien warned that operators found to abuse or break these liquor regulations would be dealt with accordingly.
Police will make recommendations to the Liquor Licensing Commission for the possibility of suspending or cancelling of these licenses.
He said this exercise will run until the end of this year.
Meanwhile, Inspector Tsien said he intense to introduce this concept at the Community level with Council of Elders (COEs) being involved in the program.
C.O.E.s would also be encouraged to take ownership of the program as the majority of youths come from and under their direct control.
02.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
WEEKEND SUICIDE
BY Tom Kathoa
Disobedience to warning against the consumption of illegal alcoholic drinks like Homebrew and Marijuana has resulted in loss of many lives both in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea as a whole.
Several youths in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have been arrested and jailed by the courts, hospitalized while others have died as a directed result of consuming these illegal drugs.
A recent case is the death of a young man from Gohi Village in the Selau area who committed suicide at the weekend.
A Community Leader from the area who is heavily involved in the fight against drinking of such lethal drinks said the deceased hang himself after consuming homebrew.
The decease tied a mosquito net around his neck resulting in his death.
This latest death should be a warning to other youths to refrain from continuing such practices that could lead to serious problems including death.
02.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Bougainville vaccination week
BOUGAINVILLE today launched its vaccination week at the Buka General Hospital.
The vaccination week will be observed from May 2 to May 6.
Vaccination week provides an opportunity to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of vaccination in protecting their children from preventable diseases.
The week also focuses attention on immunization achievements and revitalizes efforts to protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases and give them a healthy start to life.
WHO Public Health Advisor in Bougainville Dr MOHAMMAD SALIM REZA urged every parent to make use of the opportunity this week to have their child vaccinated for all curable diseases such as measles, polio, TB and Hepatitis B.
DR SALIM added that there had been many complaints in the past by parents not only in Bougainville, of their child becoming feverish after being vaccinated.
He assured that, the fever is not a side effect of the vaccine.
He says is common for the child to be feverish when the vaccine taken begins to work in the child’s body.
WHO in partnership with AusAID’s Capacity Building Service Centre (CBSC) and the Bougainville Health Division will target more than 6000 children in all 33 health facilities throughout the region.
02.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
ABG: We do not fund gangs
By Kaola Hamao
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government has denied funding armed groups, especially rebels in the region.
Acting ABG President Patrick Nisira said last Friday that the Momis-led Government does not pay and will not pay any armed group in Bougainville, let alone the four armed groups in Buin, south Bougainville.
“The ABG does not believe the barrel of a gun will solve anything in south Bougainville, especially from criminal groups causing instability and disunity amongst the peace loving people of Wisai in the Konnou area,” Mr Nisira said.
“The ABG will not pay compensation for any deaths which may have occurred recently in the Konnou area in the Buin district as a direct result of violence and lawlessness. That would be the matter (compensation) for armed groups to resolve or whoever is responsible for the death of those innocent people.
“The ABG is committed to the peace Agreement and will ensure that peace remains a priority and will prevail to enhance the livelihood of Bougainvilleans who abide by this agreement.
“The Me’ekamui leadership, including former MDF leaders Moses Pipiro and Chris Uma have isolated themselves from the Konnou killings and have publicly condemned the killings and other criminal activities.
“The ABG condemns in the strongest possible term, the manner in which two men had been killed by armed groups during Easter break. The murderous acts must come to a stop. The people have had enough of this type of activities and the people have had enough of these armed groups in the Konnou constituency, Buin and south Bougainville generally,” they said.
“The people are fed up with anyone who is found today in Bougainville with arms, and the people are fed up with those who are involved in the arms trade in Torokina, south Bougainville.”
President John Momis has also called for all leaders in south Bougainville to address the Konnou situation.
02.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
ABG warns on Panguna
By GORETHY KENNETH
ACTING Bougainville President Patrick Nisira has issued a strong warning to people interested or intending to do business in Panguna to take precautions as it is still a very sensitive issue.
Mr Nisira’s warning comes after reports to the ABG that there have been a lot of visits made by Bougainvilleans, PNG nationals and other foreign interests and ABG does not want to derail the already established process and understanding reached with the people in the area.
“I want to tell everyone that the current Panguna Unification and Reconciliation process is very fragile and at the same time very important to the people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. The peace process belongs to the ABG acting directly on behalf of the people of Bougainville and the people of Panguna,” Mr Nisira said.
“Anyone who has any interest in the minerals at Panguna, scrap metals or anything must be mindful of the process being carried out.
“Any intentions to go to Panguna to do business by anyone must declare their interest to the ABG as well as government departments and divisions, they too must declare their programs and activities to the Bougainville administration, mining division or the office of the vice President. There had been a lot of visits made by Bougainvilleans, PNG nationals and other foreign interests in the past three months and we do not want to derail the already established process and understanding reached.
“I want all national members of Parliament, ABG ministers, members, LLG members and COE members, Bougainville administration, business houses and individuals to be honest and not to make empty promises to the people of Panguna to win their favours or interest.”
02.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier
Vaccination delayed
BOUGAINVILLE’S vaccination week has been put off for a week due to the cholera outbreak in the northern tip of Buka Island.
World Health Oganisation technical officer-public health adviser Dr Mohammad Salim Reza in a press conference last Friday advised the program had been moved to May 2nd -6th, and will start in all health centres and sub-health centres of the region.
Dr Reza said that there had a target of 6000 babies to immunise but – the one year-olds and pregnant mother of Bougainville, however, it depended entirely on every district and clinics in all areas of the region.
Bougainville has 33 health facilities in Bougainville, of which 16 are health centres and 17 are sub-health centres. It has 112 aid posts in operation while another 200 aid posts are still closed because of financial constraints- these health facilities will provide the vaccination services including the main Buka Hospital, which will have its child out-patient clinic open come May 2.
02.05.2011
Source: Post-Courier The Drum
The Tolai community in Buka are as many as they are everywhere else in Papua New Guinea. On Easter Sunday, these happy Tolai men did a special “aigir” their famous traditional dish for a special globetrotting photographer Stephen Dupont, who was in Bougainville during Easter. The group of men partied all afternoon, spoiling themselves with all the aigir they did specially for their visiting friend who is featured in this picture in their Ieta village compound.
02.05.2011
Source: The National
ABG denies funding armed groups
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government does not pay and will not pay armed groups in Bougainville, acting President Patrick Nisira says.
Nisira stressed this after media reports last Wednesday claimed rebel Damien Koike warned the ABG to help the Me’ekamui Defence Force settle outstanding claims.
It reported Koike wanted the issues handled by the United Nations.
In a statement yesterday, the ABG “wholeheartedly welcomed UN intervention in the Konnou area”.
Another report quoted a chief from Wissai alleging that criminal activities in the Konnou constituency of South Bougainville were being funded by the ABG.
The ABG strongly denied that.
“The ABG does not believe that the barrel of the gun will solve anything in South Bougainville especially criminal groups causing instability and disunity among the peace loving people of Wisai and in the Konnou area,” Nisira said.
He said the ABG would not pay compensation for any deaths which may have occurred recently in the Konnou area as a result of violence and lawlessness.
Nisira said the ABG “is committed to the peace agreement and will ensure that peace remains a priority and will prevail to enhance the livelihood of Bougainvilleans who abide by this agreement”.
“The ABG condemns in the strongest possible term the manner in which two men had been killed by armed groups before the Easter break. These murderous acts must stop,” he said.
He said the people of Bougainville had had enough of this type of activities and were fed up of everyone found with arms on Bougainville.
“The sale of ammunition and guns to those who have the potential to derail and cause a big set-back to the peace process must stop now.
“If anyone is in this illegal trade, he is responsible for the deaths caused by guns or ammunition that he supplies,” Nisira said.
He called on the chiefs, community leaders, church groups and right thinking citizens throughout the region to respect the peace process in Bougainville.
01.05.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Distant picture of the MV Sankamap 2
by Aloysius Laukai
Authorities are now warning the people not to board the ship for their own safety.
New Dawn FM last night send out messages for people not to board the ship.
Also they said that anyone caught removing assets from the boat would be prosecuted by Police.
New Dawn FM understands that if the boat is not towed back it could float into the ocean.
