News 05.2014.2
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31.05.2014
Source: EMTV
ABG: NEW CRUSHER, DUAL BENEFITS
The Autonomous Bougainville Government will not have to spend millions of kina to purchase any gravel from other centers in the country.
It will produce its own aggregate, at the crushing site at Wakunai, in Central Bougainville.
The crusher was bought at one million kina, from Kitano Road Works Construction.
The Autonomous Bougainville Government will no longer waste time waiting for aggregate shipment from outside the region, but use gravel produced from its own crushing plant.
The plant stationed at Wakunai in Central Bougainville can produce 150 tonnes of sealing chip per hour.
Those aggregates are for the high impact projects such as roads, airports and bridges.
While the crusher will be hard at work, producing these aggregates, Mr Kolan at the same time challenged the Autonomous Bougainville Government to ensure the machine is sustained.
Mr. Kolan said that Bougainville can become a domestic and international supplier of aggregates, to generate its internal revenue, as it has the raw materials.
Meanwhile the Kokopau to Siara road in North Bougainville will be resealed, as advised by the Project Management Unit.
The road is currently being reassessed, with the contract to be retendered.
31.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Aust team in Bougainville
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
Autonomous Bougainville Government Vice President Patrick Nisira has welcomed the Australian Defence Force-led team that arrived in Buka yesterday to continue planning for Operation Render Safe.
Operation Render Safe aims to clear the region of World War II landmines, explosives and the remains of other weaponry.
This is the second team to travel to Bougainville to conduct more scoping works that is needed before the commencement of the exercise in October.
The fifteen member team led by Captain Jay Bannister including defence planners and other senior officers and a member of the Canadian Armed Forces are to conduct detailed planning for the operation.
The team met with Mr Nisira, other ABG leaders and the head of the Bougainville Police Service, before traveling on to Torokina.
Mr Nisira, who asked the Australian Government for assistance with the clearance of World War II weapons and ammunitions at Torokina, said this exercise is aimed at improving public safety through the reduction of war remains.
He said once this exercise is successfully completed, people will be able to go about their daily life safely and they can pursue economic development in a safer environment.
Mr Nisira said this will also contribute towards ABG’s weapons disposal efforts in order to achieve security for all Bougainvilleans, before pointing that it does not involve development projects.
30.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
ABG to stop back door deals
BOUGAINVILLE does not have the capacity to check people coming through the back door to do back door deals, President John Momis said this week.
Mr Momis was asked by media in Port Moresby if the ABG had in place a policy or a law to curb such activities because of reports that many businesses are entering Bougainville through the back door.
He said the ABG will soon develop a strategy to address these issues and the loopholes that exist because too many a times freedom of movement in this regard is abused.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the ABG and development partners forum in Port Moresby this week.
"At the moment the ABG does not have the capacity to check people coming through the back door," Mr Momis said.
"But sooner or later we have to develop a strategy to address this because whilst people have the freedom to move in and out of Bougainville to do business or anything of that sort, people should not abuse that freedom which also amounts or causes instability."
He said these issues often resulted in people spreading false information and creating instability in the
30.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville MPs must help
By GORETHY KENNETH
AUTONOMOUS Bougainville Government President John Momis yesterday said the Government is looking at ways to get National MPs to better coordinate with his government on development funds for the island.
This is because as it is, there is no coordination and collaboration between the four national MPs of Bougainville in the National Parliament, especially with their K45 million received each year.
"K45 million is a lot of money to be distributed by the four MPs," Mr Momis said on Wednesday.
Mr Momis, who is in Port Moresby for the ABG/Development Partners Forum, said this while alluding to the fact that the ABG has no say in the K45 million that the national MPs receive each year.
He also said it was coming to a stage where he was going to exclude the National Budget for the four MPs in their ABG Budget because the government had no say in it.
"The National Government is one of the biggest donors in Bougainville but most of it is spent on the recurrent budget. There is little free money for the ABG to use to initiate new projects, to respond to people’s new initiative," he said.
"When the four MPs come with K45 million, that money should come to ABG. The ABG is the legitimate, mandated government on the ground and agree on priorities and projects to fund.
"When they circumnavigate the ABG, people are saying that some people are still dependent.
"And in many ways too, we fill that we have no voice in the National Government…I think there’s something we have to discuss because it’s just no. We are not cooperating, we should be collaborating.
"And yes, K10 million is a lot of money. A lot of projects may end up as white elephants. In fact many of the projects were started and never completed.
"But the worst thing for me as far as I am concerned is making people dependent, instead of accepting responsibility."
30.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Government.New member for Toanita Tinputz sworn into office
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
THE new member for Taonita Tinputz constituency in the Bougainville House of Representatives, David Braun Vatavi, was sworn into office yesterday by the senior Bougainville provincial magistrate Bruce Tasikul.
The event which was held at the ABG parliament chamber was witnessed by Acting ABG President Patrick Nisira, Speaker Andrew Miriki, other ABG members and Mr Vatavi’s supporters.
Mr Vatavi was elected during the recently held by-election replacing former member and Works Minister Carolus Ketsimur who passed away early this year.
ABG Minister for local level government Joseph Nopei while delivering the opening remarks called on Mr Vatavi to adhere to the declaration of loyalty which he had just made, saying if he fails to abide then the member and his people will bear the consequences. He said that the member now had a big responsibility to serve all people in the constituency regardless of which candidate they had supported, before offering on behalf of the other members their support and assistance towards the new member.
Mr Vatavi thanked the people for placing their trust in his leadership and voting him into parliament.
30.05.2014
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Bougainville people taking ownership of independence - writer
An emerging writer from Bougainville says its people are steadily taking ownership of the process towards viable independence.
Leonard Rong Foka was one of the speaker's at this week's PNG New Voices conference in Port Moresby, organised by the Lowy Institute's Melanesia Program.
Speakers addressed a range of topics including responsible sustainable development and new political engagement.
Leonard Rong Foka says the Bougainville conflict was about exploitation, indoctrination and genocide of a people.
He says young Bougainvilleans are increasingly pre-occupied with shaping a better, self-reliant future.
"Through the Bougainville constitution, I believe we have at least accomodated that problems or we are on the process of addressing the three very fundamental problems Bougainville is subjected to. However our constitution is one thing. Actually putting that constitution into action on Bougainville is another challenge for us Bougainvilleans."
Leonard Rong Foka
30.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
THREE DAYS FORUM ENDS ON HIGH NOTE
By Aloysius Laukai
The first Regional forum hosted by the Bougainville Regional member, JOE LERA ended this afternoon after a healthy review of the 2013 approved projects.
The three-days forum held at Ruruvu village was attended by ABG members Thomas KERIRI, Joanne Jerome and Ministers Melchior Dare, Minister Michael Oni and COE members from all over Central Bougainville.
In their closing remarks, all participants thanked the Regional member for his vision and making it possible for the leaders to meet and decide developments for the distinct.
They said that this transfer ant approach was welcomed and will definitely unite the people to work for one vision for Bougainville.
The next forum will be held for South Bougainville at Panakei village in Siwai next month.
Teacher house at Ruruvu
Cutting off the Ribbons of the Teacher's house
LERA handing keys for the teachers house at Ruruvu
30.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
EDUCATE THE BEAST THAT CAN DESTROY
By Aloysius Laukai
The Regional member for Bougainville , Joe Lera said Bougainville must educate Bougainvilleans who have been left out of the education system due to the Bougainville conflict.
Speaking at the opening of the Ruruvu Primary School Teacher's house this afternoon.
MR LERA said that a human being is a beast that must be educated to reason things and help in the development.
He said that from the population of 350 thousand Bougainvilleans, sixty percent are youths between the ages of 0 to 30 are youths of which a further forty percent are illiterate and must be educated.
MR LERA said that Bougainville must make sure these people are educated as these are the dangerous population that can create problems for Bougainville in future.
He told the people of Ruruvu that he will continue to work with the ABG to make sure capacity for the education sector is improved.
Two other projects were also opened in Ruruvu this afternoon.
They are the Maternity ward wing for the Ruruvu Health Centre funded by the ABG Health Division, Rice mill funded by the SPSN and the teachers house funded under the Regional member's PSIP.
30.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
FIRST FRUIT WITNESSED
By Aloysius Laukai in Ruruvu
One of the projects approved at the first Regional member's forum was officially opened at the Ruruvu Primary School this afternoon by the Central Bougainville Forum that actually approved this project last year.
The project opened is a One hundred thousand kina two-bedroom teacher's house built for the Ruruvu Primary School.
The building was built by Korikunu construction in just seven days.
In his opening remarks, Minister for Community Development, MELCHIOR DARE said that the future of Bougainville is in the children of Bougainville and therefore the leadership must ensure education infrastructures are built so that education services is delivered.
He thanked the Korikunu construction for starting and completing the building so that the school can use the facility.
3rd Day and final day of the Ruruvu forum
30.05.2014
Source: Bougainville24
Funeral traditions in Haku
By Maryanne Hanette
Funeral ceremonies in Bougainville are practiced in many different ways in different regions.
In North Bougainville, especially in the Haku area, the traditional funeral ceremony is still common practiced today.
The traditional funeral takes place if anyone in the village within Haku dies, whether they be a chief, baby or an ordinary person.
For the death of a child though there are certain steps that always undertaken and relate directly to traditional spiritual beliefs.
On the first day there is a funeral ceremony, where the clan or relatives of the deceased father bathe and dress the body.
They put perfume, herbs and leaves on the body, which is then laid in the coffin for mourning villagers to view, followed by a funeral reception to bid to the child farewell.
The body is placed in the coffin for the last hour before burial and this is considered the journey to the spiritual kingdom.
On the second day the mother’s clan prepares a knapsack for the child to carry in to the afterlife. The knapsack is put near the coffin and then the chief starts to call out holding it on his hand to the child’s spirit. He recites a chant, crying out “Oh! Oh! Oh!”
After calling three times, the chief then call her by the tribe name or tok ples name.
For instance if she was Rita, the chief calls out three times; “Rita! Rita! Rita!”; and then would say; “here is your knapsack of food, carry it with you and share it with whoever awaits your arrival.”
“Here your water gourd, quench your thirst along the journey and be aware that there are two tracks you meet at the cross road. The first path is clean and spotless, follow not this path and the second path is rough and bushy, this path you must follow.”
The day after the burial of the dead the process called Hatsin Liahana is carried out, where a small bonfire is made for sacrifice.
Recited over the small fire is another chant; “Oh Rita! You and your clan members and chiefs of your fathers clan come all come with you. Share this sacrifice we give thee before you go to Murkohiongo your God and our God… Eat and leave the left overs to us.”
Ten to twenty days after the Hatsin Liahana the main feast is held, concealed by a Pandanus veil.
Relatives come and discard their clothes for mourning, taro is then sliced over the grave to symbolize the end of the period of mourning.
The villagers then go and swim in the sea to cleanse their bodies.
Afterwards the chiefs and the villagers gather for a big feast, typically the father’s clan gets more than the mother’s clan with the money, pigs and other food. After the feast is over you could see and hear smiles and laughter everywhere meaning Rita has ascended into heaven.
This cultural ceremony in the Haku constituency has remained through the many changes in other aspects of culture. Though this practice too is slowly transforming from what was done in the past.
Traditionally the Haku people used two different methods in the past to see off the body of the deceased person. The body was either cremated at sea or simply thrown in to the ocean.
Everything changed due to the influence of the white people, specifically the early missionaries.
They told the Bougainvillean people that it was wrong to throw dead bodies in to the sea and they must dig a hole around six feet to bury the dead.
30.05.2014
Source: Bougainville24
Aquaculture on the rise in Bana
By Joel Tauko
Interest in aquaculture is growing very quickly in the Bana District (Nagovisi) as more people see its potential to provide a source of income and food for their families
Despite the sudden interest in constructed ponds and aquaculture there is a lack of training and proper management, especially compared with other fish farming systems.
“There are several factors hampering production in Bana,” said Junior Pini, a small scale fish farmer.
“Limited capacity to construct good ponds, lack of management skills, inadequate supply of fingerlings (juvenile fish) for farming and a general lack of knowledge in aquaculture husbandry are all issues.”
Most farmers expressed similar concerns and there is a growing desire for more workshops conducted by PNG Fisheries Board.
Inland areas of Bougainville tend to get overlooked in favour of coastal areas, where PNG Fisheries Board runs workshops on how to manage fish farms.
There is also a lack of protocols to support hatchery operations and stock management.
The expense of nutritional food is also another problem because manufactured pellet feeds too expensive for many farmers. Large amounts are also spent by local fish farmers importing fingerlings from outside Bougainville.
Is it expected that two experts in breeding fish from China will soon come to Bougainville to share their knowledge with participants and conduct instructive training and education.
A full day of panel sessions will be provided and the coordinators of the workshop will give out brochures, with information on forming the basis of the hatchery and contemporary fish farm management techniques.
A small forum will be conducted to get the views of local people and a method based on critical analysis and control points will be used to identify key problems and solutions.
Another seminar will be held mid-2015 and the attendees will be able to get an evaluation of how well they used the training.
It will also form the basis of a Smallholders Hatchery Manual that will be produced and distributed by project coordinators.
29.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
KERIRI APPLAUDS PAST LEADERS
By Aloysius Laukai in Ruruvu
The ABG member for RAO and member assisting the President,THOMAS KERIRI today praised past Bougainville leaders for paving the way for the development of Bougainville.
Speaking at the review of 2013 PSIP projects at Ruruvu village in Wakunai, Mr KERIRI said that Bougainville has created name on its own because of past leaders work.
He mentioned, Dr Alexis Sarei, Leo Hannett, Joseph Kabui and ABG President DR.JOHN MOMIS as pioneers who helped to shape Bougainville.
MR.KERIRI said that you have to know that past to plan for the future referring on the current forum that is planning projects for Central Bougainville.
He also thanked the Regional member, JOE LERA for documenting his vision so that it can be used in the future.
MR KERIRI also called on all forum participants to make sure they plan for Impact projects instead of too many little projects that create no impacts in the communities.
29.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
HEALTH MOVING
By Aloysius Laukai in Ruruvu.
The Secretary of the Department of a health, Amato Sahoto told the Regional member's forum currently in its second day that the ABG was working with the Regional member and other development partners to improve Health services throughout the region.
MR Sahoto said that the work of establishing Nursing colleges was also in the pipeline with the Community Health worker Training school in Haku ready to get trainees as early as next year.
Mr. sahoto said that work on the Arawa School of Nursing was also progressing well with the development of the Arawa Health Centre.
He said that the first task of the Tanamalo Community Health workers training centre will be to certify health workers trained during the Bougainville conflict and are already working in Health facilities throughout the region.
MR Sahoto said that once these training s are completed trainings of new students will then commence.
He said that accommodation for students will be completed by next month.
29.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
DON’T SPLIT KONNOU
By Aloysius Laukai
A prominent leader from Konnou who wants to remain anonymous wants the ABG to stop the ideo of creating another constituency for Konnou before the ABG General elections next year.
He told New Dawn FM that the people of Konnou want the constituency to remain united until such a time the people can decide for themselves.
The leader said that he does not want the people to fasttrack the split of Konnou before the election which will be not in the best interest of the people.
He said Konnou although is a biggest constituency will decide their boundaries once the time is right.
The leader said that Konnou is so divided now and must be given the time to reconcile and decide their future later.
29.05.2014
Source: The National
USAID helps Bougainville move forward
THE development office for the United States AID in PNG says it will assist the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
The programmes are very broad and focus to strengthen the resilience of the political, environmental, social and cultural aspects, the USAID director for the Regional Pacific Islands (RPI) G Mauries Knight said.
“Resilience means the ability to withstand shock that affects people’s livelihood.”
He said during an ABG forum in Port Moresby yesterday that USAID would work with ABG president Dr John Momis.
He said the president wanted to empower people and ensure implementation of the ABG peace agreement which was a challenge to work with.
Knight said he hoped to establish a link with the strategic document themes such as the Bougainville Peace Agreement and with the National Coordination Office of Bougainville Affairs.
US Ambassador Walter North said it would assist with important issues concerning women’s participation and justice and peace reconciliation because the society moved ahead with women.
North said it would look at other programmes such as trauma counselling, working with victims of gender-based violence and peace reconciliation.
29.05.2014
Source: The National
Momis wants update on aid
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government must be consulted concerning any foreign aid going into the region, president Chief Dr John Momis says.
Momis said that at the Autonomous Region of Bougainville’s first development forum in Port Moresby yesterday.
He acknowledged that the Government was ABG’s biggest and most important development partner but it had in most instances overlooked consulting his government when bringing in aid to the region.
Momis said the provisions of the peace agreement outlined this, therefore his government reserved the right to be consulted.
He said the region’s partners continued to provide support and they must be recognised for doing so.
29.05.2014
Source: The National
ABG must carry out authority
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government must use its powers under the peace agreement for the benefit of its people, President Dr John Momis says.
Momis was responding to questions on whether the ABG had the mandate to hold a forum with its development partners in Port Moresby yesterday.
Momis said the ABG had authority to call such forums because:
It needed to constructively engage with its partners to ensure that the aspirations of the Bougainville people for a highly regionalised form of autonomy is achieved;
Development partners need to be made aware of the history of the region and the circumstances that had brought it to its current situation; and
It needed to seek support and aid from its partners.
Momis said the ABG had always strived to maintain and improve its relationship with its partners.
He said to achieve a prosperous partnership which would bring about tangible development for the region, the ABG had to acquaint itself with its partners through regular dialogue.
“We can no longer assume that our partners and those seeking to engage with us fully understand our situation and history,” he said.
“Time moves on. We need to proactively tell our story. We need to convey our aspiration and priorities.”
Attending the forum were US Ambassador Walter North, representative from AusAID, New Zealand High Commission, United Nations, World Bank and officials of the region’s administration.
29.05.2014
Source: Radio New Zealand International
PNG Bougainville's Me'ekamui re-states opposition to mining
The head of the Papua New Guinea's Bougainville separatist group, the Me'ekamui, says he is against a resumption of mining before a vote on independence.
The leadership in the autonomous PNG province has been promoting a return to mining as the filip its economy needs.
Don Wiseman has more:
"President John Momis says the re-opening of the huge Panguna mine would bring immediate economic benefits that could not be achieved so quickly in other sectors. He says this is vital to show the province is economically viable ahead of the vote on possible independence, which can occur from 2015 onwards. Philip Miriori, who is styled as the president of the Me'ekamui Government of Unity, says the Me'ekamui position is clear. They are not opposed to mining and are happy for the people to decide but this cannot happen until after independence is achieved. Mr Miriori says this would ensure royalties stay in the province. He has also reiterated a call for Rio Tinto to pay compensation to the landowners of ten billion kina, or about two and a half billion US dollars, for damage caused by the mine. And he says the Me'ekamui will not allow access to their areas for government reconciliation efforts. He says President Momis needs to leave the sore to be healed. "
28.05.2014
Source: ABC Radio Australia
'Ethical concerns' surround Bougainville cocoa hopes
Bougainville's President John Momis has expressed concern about the landholding of an Australian company which is hoping to build a major cocoa and chocolate business.
The Bougainville Islands Group, led by Chairman Godfrey Mantle, has bought up the titles to 15 abandoned cocoa plantations and is in talks with landowers to start a business which could employ between three and four thousand Bougainvilleans.
LISTEN HERE !
Reporter: Jemima Garrett
Speakers: John Momis, the Bougainville President ; Australian businessman Godfey Mantle
GARRETT: Cocoa is booming on Bougainville.
It is putting 200 million kina a year or - 74 million Australian dollars - directly into the hands of small holders.
President John Momis says it will delivering more in the near future.
MOMIS: There is a lot of new cocoa plantings and we are told by experts that by 2017 cocoa price will triple so people are getting ready for that.
GARRETT: While small holders plant cocoa, Australian businessman Godfrey Mantle, is working to get a much larger-scale project off the ground.
He has bought the titles to 15 cocoa plantations in north, central and southern Bougainville.
The idea came to him 5 years ago, when he first visited the island.
MANTLE: We're in the food business. And I'm from a farming background in Billaweela in Queensland. So I first looked to start a hotel, which is closer to our hospitality. Couldn't negotiate with the government to buy the land, which is what I wanted to do. So started looking through titles to find alternate land and I came across lots and lots of cocoa plantation titles, among other titles, and that sparked my interest.
GARRETT: Mr Mantle's Bougainville Islands group now has 99-year leases on 12,500 hectares of land.
President Momis says it is unethical.
MOMIS: we just had a war over land so for one foreigner to own so much, in fact to own some of the best, choicest lands on Bougainville is not seen as ethically right. It may be legally right because he bought a mortgage from the bank but it is something that has to be dealt with. He may be allowed to have discussions with some landowners and go into a joint venture, but the ABG is a little bit concerned about allowing one foreigner to take 15 choicest plantations on Bougainville.
GARRETT: Mr Mantle says the scale of the project is necessary for it to bring maximum benefits to Bougainville.
He says there will be jobs for up to 4000 Bougainvilleans, and landowers will get a 30 per cent share in the business as well as other opportunities
MANTLE: We just don't want their ownership we want their involvement, we want to show how a business should be run, in our view, best practice but with transparency and a high level of integrity. I see the CEO of the business in a fairly short period of time being a Bougainvillean, in fact I have got somebody in mind, who I think is very talented but we want to build the skills first, get the best practice bedded down well and when they are rock solid then start to transition.
GARRETT: An inquiry into the cocoa project conducted by the Bougainville House of representative is due to report next month.
President Momis will take a lot of convincing.
MOMIS: This is where the government's role is very important and we must not try to undermine the authority of the government because in the final analysis the people will respect the government and we are spending a lot of time negotiating with them and telling them that international best practices must be adhered to you know and our zeal to make money should not be used as pretexts to break rules and to break conventions and protocols.
GARRETT: So under what sort of conditions would that development be possible and acceptable to you?
MOMIS: It has to be negotiated. In fact we already have a policy which say no stand-alone foreign business will be allowed. Of course we still have people like Ella Motors and Digicel, these are existing, but from now on we are not going to allow, and sooner of later we will be delaing with Digicel and Ella Motors and others, and say look this is the policy. We want to encourage joint venture deals and partnerships with foreign companies. And the reason for that is to make the people feel they have a sense of ownership and therefore they will take responsibility to protect the properties and operations of the companies.
GARRETT: Mr Mantle is confident he has addressed all President Momis's concerns.
He says the Bougainville Islands group will bring a skilled marketing, distribution and scientific team that will benefit all the island's cocoa growers.
MANTLE: You need scientists who can bring in the best cones, get the best practice. And the people who benefit from that are not just your plantations. That is an extension to the rest of the Bougainville cocoa producing community. So we would share those skills and resources and we'd also look to build a world class fermentaries where we control the fermentation, which is a key process of the cocoa beans, and buy green beans from the locals, if they want to sell them to us. And that way you are working with everybody to get an outcome that is multiples to what it would be both in terms of yields and in terms of quality and in terms of branding.
29.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville leaders, aid partners to coordinate development
By GORETHY KENNETH
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government and its development partners yesterday agreed to work together to address the challenges and opportunities for improved development coordination.
ABG President John Momis and acting Chief Secretary Chris Siriosi led a team to meet with Heads of Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, World Bank, the United Nations and United States of America (AusAID, NZAID, JICA, World Bank, UN and USAID) to iron out and further strengthen the important issues pertaining to aid assistance on Bougainville.
The development forum comprising the donor partners and the ABG came up with recommendations which would set another benchmark for the region and its people and will be released today.
The development partners resolved that:
- ABG priorities will drive development partner cooperation;
- ABG will identify development partners comparative strengths in relation to ABG needs;
- There will be two meetings every year prior to the Joint Supervisory Body meeting (JSB) and additional ones if necessary;
- Coordination meetings will link with themed discussions;
- Regular meetings will occur with the Chief Secretary;
- They cooperate to provide consolidated information in a form that is useful to forward planning and monitoring progress against ABG priorities (and does not add additional overheads to ABG management);
- ABG will identify gaps in development assistance and the highest priority needs within this;
- ABG will use this information to develop ways of monitoring and evaluating the progress towards defined outcomes;
- Their contributions will be identified in the National Government budget and ABG will draw on the is information, and;
- Recognition of the coordinating role of the ABG Project Management Unit (PMU) as the coordination point for all infrastructure projects. President Momis said yesterday he was generally happy with the donor partners and their engagement on Bougainville, but said the Government was looking seriously at addressing the dependency syndrome, which the leaders were now trying to correct.
"Generally we are happy that we have policy that encourages development partners, we don’t want to control it but I think there should be better coordination," Momis said.
"Bougainville is now trying to develop a new culture by which people respect the Government…you know, we had a rebellion government any aid or anything that is against government might undermine the Government’s authority. We still don’t have the capacity, laws and structure, police, we don’t have the money and it is difficult for ABG to enforce so when we have uncoordinated aid it could create impression that these aid are coming in independently and outside of the ABG," he said.
"So there’s the dependency syndrome that we are trying to correct to fight dependency."
But he said he was happy with the donor partners despite revealing that the there could be more interaction from the Bougainville National MPs and their funds to help boost and go hand in hand with the development partners.
29.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Belgian nurses visit Buka
By ROMULUS MASIU
The two Belgian nurses Pierre’ Ingrid (with glasses) and De Bock Marleen with staff of the Boku Health Centre in Bana District of South Bougainville displaying the 50kg of vital free medication brought in from Belgium. Picture by ROMULUS MASIU.
TWO nurses from Belgium came to Bougainville with free vital medication for a remote health centre on the semi-autonomous island province.
The two nurses, Pierre Ingrid and De Bock Marleen, came under Friends for Papua, a Belgian NGO group operating in the Bana district of South Bougainville.
The two nurses, who are specialists in hospitals in Belgium, will serve at the Boku Health Centre for three weeks. During their time, they will work with local nurses visiting villages and immunising children.
Friends for Papua in the last 10 years has invested more than K1 million in Bougainville with activities like brick making, chocolate making, school sponsorships and now the free supply of medication and nurses.
29.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
World Vision backs safe motherhood
By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS
A NON-Government organisation in Bougainville, World Vision, recently held a workshop on safe motherhood in the west coast of mainland Bougainville.
The training, themed “lead safe motherhood”, was held in Kunua and attended by 16 people from Kunua and Torokina. The participants were taught about maternal newborn child health care, with the aim of equipping them with the skills and knowledge on how to assist pregnant mothers in their areas starting from pregnancy to the delivery stages, as well as on the nutritional well being of the child during the first five years. World Vision has been conducting a five year program in the west coast on two areas ‘lukautim family health’ (look after families health) and ‘gutpela kaikai’ (good food). The program which will end next year has already produced positive results. Meanwhile, a maternal health specialist from the Bougainville Division of Health, Celine Tousala, has revealed that in 2013 alone Bougainville recorded eleven maternal deaths out of 9000 mothers who had visited the 36 health facilities including Buka General Hospital to deliver their babies. “And out of the babies born, 42 between the ages of 0 to 1 died of neonatal infections caused by mothers not delivering in a clean and safe environment,” said Mrs Tousala. “Our number one millennium development goal that we are trying to achieve by 2015 is to reduce our maternal death rate in Bougainville, and these trainings are to link up with the community as we are facing a shortage of nurses within our health facilities. “We cannot expect them to go out into the communities and carry out health education and awareness so this is an important link to influence communities to encourage mothers to have a safe delivery at the health centre or hospital.” Mrs Tousala said family planning and supervised safe delivery are the two things that they are currently promoting to reduce the rate of maternal death.
“In Bougainville we have three categories of workers: community health workers, nursing officers and midwives; and we train them on the same procedures of maternal child health care.”
She then encouraged mothers to always attend pregnancy clinics every Tuesdays and Thursdays in all health facilities throughout the region to get good advice and check-ups to avoid experiencing problems during and after pregnancy.
29.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Contractor clarifies report on sealing works
THE local road sealing contractor responsible for sealing the stretch of road from Kokopau to Baniata village in the northern tip of Bougainville has denied a report in the Post-Courier that they had not done standard sealing works on that road.
According to representatives from the company, Greenfield Contractors, the work done was equivalent to the amount of funding they were given for this project.
“We had won this 21km project worth K20m. However we were only given K6.3m which we were able to seal only 12km,” they said. “This money was not meant to fix the drainage or to do the second cote sealing on the road.
Even that money was not supposed to be used to pay the sub contractors, but we still went ahead and paid them.” They also denied receiving information that their contract has been terminated and that the project will be re-tendered. But when quizzed if they will still participate in the bidding of this re-sealing contract, the company representatives said they are ready and will be participating. “We have the machines including seven compactors and 2 spray trucks to do this work.
“People say that we do not have the machines. This is not true, we have machines to do road sealing works.”
29.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Aust to help remove WWII ordnance
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
A PLANNING team for the Operation Render Safe will be arriving in Buka today to conduct further discussions on this exercise which is set to take place in Torokina later this year.
According to a press release from the Australian High Commission, the 15-member team, which comprises 14 Australian Defence Force members and a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, will be traveling to Buka via a C-130J military aircraft.
The team will be led by Captain Jay Bannister, who will also be the overall commander of Operation Render Safe when it commences in October. In Buka they will be meeting with Autonomous Bougainville Government leaders focusing on logistics and support requirements for this exercise.
After meeting with government leaders, they will depart for Torokina to meet with community leaders there on the plans of the explosive disposal work of the pperation.
Operation Render Safe exercise will be carried out in Torokina following request by the ABG vice president Patrick Nisira to Australia to assist with the removal of unexploded WWII ordnance, small arms and ammunitions remaining in the district. This exercise also has the backing of the national Government.
28.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Momis: ABG stability provides conducive economic activity
By BENNY GETENG The stability within Bougainville has provided a conducive environment for economic activity which in turn supports Bougainville’s peace building efforts, says ABG President John Momis. President Momis said economic activity that provides income earning opportunities to the people contributes to peace-building as people involved in such activities tend to feel hopeful, and to see possibilities to improve. “A remarkable development in Bougainville’s political landscape is the relationship between peace buildings since 1997’s signing of the Cease Fire and how it has provided the basis for economic development.” Autonomous Bougainville Government President Chief Dr John Momis made this remark during the 30th Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum and Trade Expo in Cairns on Tuesday. The President said that since the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001, Bougainville has maintained peace without any sure sign of the resurgence of conflict. “There are continuing divisions in Bougainville and there are problems facing the government and the people but overall progress since the signing of the Peace Agreement has been surprisingly positive,” President Momis said. He adds that this has seen the two main lines of division and tension arising from the conflict dramatically reduced between the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) and the Bougainville Resistance Forces (BRF). On the economic front Bougainville has also seen positive strides with infrastructural development contributing towards internal revenue and employment opportunities. The President said artisanal gold mining and cash crops have also provided and immense input into Bougainville’s revenue. Despite the Autonomous Bougainville Government still relying on aid donors and grants from the National Government the President said the ABG utilizes this for capacity development to increase its move toward fiscal self-reliance. President concluded by saying that in a post-conflict situation such as exists in Bougainville, the way economic and business development occurs can have major impacts on conflict resolution and peace-building. “But whatever those political pressures, the ABG remains committed to development of its economy to provide opportunities for as many Bougainvilleans as possible, ensure an equitable spread of economic opportunities, and ensures active participation by Bougainvilleans in decision-making at all stages.” He added.
28.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Aussie advisers told to leave
PRESIDENT of the Me’ekamui Government of Unity Philip Miriori said his government is not against mining but wants all 22 Australian advisers out of Bougainville.
Mr Miriori said their discussions about mining can happen after the referendum but for now, all expatriate advisers must go home.
Mr Miriori made the statement while supporting Central Bougainville MP Jimmy Miringtoro’s move to remove Australian advisers serving on Bougainville.
In a statement to this newspaper, Mr Miriori said: “We are happy the Member for Central Bougainville at last has recognised the ‘wolf’ in the lawyer’s garment who has been paid by BCL to deceive ABG as a special consultant.
“Me’ekamui, the liberator of Bougainville with Panguna landowners is behind you. Don’t stop barking until the ‘wolf’ returns home.”
Mr Miriori said that they are already aware of 22 Australian advisers on Bougainville, which is the highest compared to PNG in proportion to the Bougainville population, turning ABG into the “Australian Bougainville Government”.
“Australia’s intention of becoming superpower in the Pacific must not be denied and it will do everything to dominate the scene,” Mr Miriori said.
He said the compensation awareness BCL is funding now is another abuse of our culture by a foreigner who doesn’t even understand the whole process.
28.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Landowners, people integral to reopening of Panguna mine
The Autonomous Bougainville Government’s approach to the reopening of the Panguna mine will continue to be driven by the wishes of the landowners and the people of Bougainville.
ABG President John Momis said this during the 30th Australia PNG Business forum in Cairns last week.
“We have strictly limited time in which to get real autonomy working, and before people are faced with a choice about independence, it is that limited time that requires us to focus on exploring the possibility of re-opening Panguna to create fiscal self-reliance on Bougainville,” the President said.
“We must focus on exploring the possibility of re-opening Panguna, for all being well that could occur in the early 2020s and the ABG would be in receipt of substantial taxation revenues during the projected three year construction period,” he said.
The ABG has been working with the PNG National Government to implement the provisions of the Bougainville Peace Agreement to allow it to exercise mining powers normally exercised by the National Government.
This process is largely complete and has involved establishing an ABG Mining Department, the development by the ABG of its own mining policy, and preparation of Bougainville mining legislation.
Unlike what most critics claim, the ABG has continued to consult with landowners and other Bougainvilleans to prepare for possible negotiations about the future of the mine, which are being done slowly, deliberately, and carefully.
“We have no intention to rush and we are first ensuring that mine lease area landowners are organised in such a way as to be fully involved in every step of the process,” President Momis said.
He said inspite of critics claiming the ABG’s hand in manipulating the issue and silently lobbying for the return of BCL, the ABG has always remained objective.
He said that the decision to have BCL return to Bougainville depends on the company, but further stated that the landowners themselves do want BCL to return, referring to the axiom – “it is better to have the devil you know than the devil you don’t”.
The President expressed that if mining goes ahead, it must provide economic opportunities for as many Bougainvilleans as possible, ensure an equitable spread of economic opportunities, and ensure active participation by Bougainvilleans in decision-making at all stages, including once the mine is operating.
28.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Former teacher wins Taonita Tinputz seat
PEOPLE in the Taonita Tinputz constituency in North Bougainville now have a new member. He is David Braun Vatavi.
Mr Braun, an elementary school teacher by profession was declared the member-elect on Saturday morning by the regional returning officer John Itanu, beating eight other candidates that also took part in the race.
Mr Braun led the race since the start of counting, comfortably wining the seat with 1380 votes.
The Taonita Tinputz seat became vacant following the death of Carolus Ketsimur early this year.
Meanwhile, losing candidate and runner up to Mr Braun, Dyson Kaitavara has announced that he will be taking the matter to the court of disputed returns.
Mr Kaitavara said he has evidence of foul play involved which resulted in Mr Braun’s win. “One of the evidence I have is that some primary school students in the area, who are under the age of 18 were allowed to vote,” said Mr Kaitavara.
If this case is brought to court, it will be a first in the history of the ABG elections for an election petition to be heard in court.
28.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
ABG President: Major Australian cocoa project may not be 'ethically right'.
The President of Bougainville has cast doubt on the future of a major cocoa project being developed by an Australian-based company. Bougainville Island's Group, owned by Australian businessman Godfrey Mantle (pictured), has acquired 99-year-long leases to 15 abandoned cocoa plantations, totaling 12,500 hectares.
Mr. Mantle said the traditional landowners will receive a 30 per cent stake in the company and up to 4,000 locals will get jobs. "We just don't want their ownership we want their involvement, we want to show how a business should be run in best practice but with transparency and a high level of integrity," he told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat.
"I see the CEO of the business in a fairly short period of time being a Bougainvillean, in fact I have got somebody in mind ... but we want to build the skills first." However, Bougainville's president John Momis said while the land leases may be legal, they are not ethical.
"We have just had a war over land," Mr. Morris said. "For one foreigner to own so much, in fact to own the best, choicest lands, is not seen as ethically right." But Mr Mantle said he has addressed all of the President's concerns.
He said his company will bring a skilled marketing, distribution and scientific team that will benefit all the island's cocoa growers. "You need scientists. And the people who benefit from that are not just your plantations," he said.
"That is an extension to the rest of the Bougainville cocoa producing community." Joint ventures preferred. An inquiry into the project is due to report on its findings next month, but president Momis said it will still take a lot of convincing.
"In the final analysis, the people will respect the government," he said. "We are spending a lot of time with them ... telling them that international best practices must be adhered to. "Our zeal to make money should not be used as pretexts to break rules and to break conventions and protocols."
He said the Bougainville government would like to encourage joint venture deals between foreign and local companies, rather than stand-alone foreign businesses. "The reason for that is to make the people feel they have a sense of ownership and therefore they will take responsibility to protect the properties and operations of the companies," Mr. Momis said.
President John Momis said that the Cocoa production is booming on the autonomous island where it is putting 200 million kina ($A74 million) a year directly into the hands of small holders and said it will deliver more in the near future. "There are a lot of new cocoa plantings and we are told by experts that by 2017, cocoa price will triple," he said.
28.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
ABG to get govt help on top posts
By ADRIANA SCHMIDT
THE appointment of the top executive posts of chief secretary and the head of the administrative services in Bougainville will be done jointly by the national Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
This was clarified by the ABG Minister for Administrative Services Joel Banam in a press conference last week.
Mr Banam explained that the Public Services Management Act recognises the Bougainville Peace Agreement which is a joint agreement between both governments.
This means that the national Government will still be involved in the selection, screening and appointment process of these two important positions within the Bougainville public service.
Mr Banam explained that five names will be selected by the national government and sent to the Bougainville Executive Council (BEC).
The BEC will then shortlist three candidates and forward to the senior appointments.
28.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
CENTRAL BOUGAINVILLE LEADERS MEETING OPENED AT RURUVU
By Aloysius Laukai in Ruruvu
The first of three leaders meetings sponsored by the Regional member for Bougainville, JOE LERA officially opened at the Ruruvu United Church this morning.
The meeting is being attended by ABG Ministers, MELCHIOR DARE,MICHAEL ONI women member for Central Bougainville, JOAN JEROME and the local ABG member for RAO THOMAS KERIRI and members of the CEO’s in Central Bougainville representing districts of PANGUNA,KIETA AND WAKUNAI.
In his welcome address the chairman of TERRA COE,AMOS TEVARIA said that the bottom-up approach being promoted by the Regional member, JOE LERA in identifying projects in the districts was paramount and must be supported.
MR. TEVARIA said that he was happy that the committee had selected RURUVU as the venue for the leaders of Central Bougainville to meet and identify projects that would develop Central Bougainville and Bougainville as a whole.
The ABG member for RAO, THOMAS KERIRI in his comments also praised the Regional member for his work and said that his people were supporting the approach being followed by the member.
He said that him as the ABG member will continue to work with the Regional member and the people of RAO to see some tangible developments in the districts.
The meeting will end tomorrow.
Ruruvu Upe group performing for the leaders.
Member Joe Lera is carried
28.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
AKOITAI NOT HAPPY WITH RURUVU RECONCILIATION
By Aloysius Laukai in Ruruvu
Former resistant Commander from Togarau, PAUL AKOITAI this afternoon set up a road block to stop car travelling for the Regional member Joe Lera’s regional forum scheduled for two days starting tomorrow.
A furious PAUL AKOITAI told New Dawn FM at the road block that he was not happy with the Central Bougainville member and Communication Minister’s reconciliation held earlier today.
He said he did some work for the ceremony and was not compensated for his services and based on that he refused to let the regional member’s team to Ruruvu which is on this Togarau road.
MR. AKOITAI said that his people have been used so many times in the past by leaders and does not want them to be used again without compensating them.
After so much discussion in which the regional member promised to settle the grieving parties they allowed the team to pass through to Ruruvu tonight for tomorrow’s meeting.
27.05.2014
Source: The National
ABG leaves mine decision to people
THE reopening of the Panguna mine will be driven by the wishes of the landowners and the people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, says the president Chief Dr John Momis.
He said this on New Dawn FM in Cairns, Australia, last week while attending the Australian-PNG Business Forum.
Momis said the region should focus on the possibility of re-opening the mine to create fiscal self-reliance for itself as the time span for it to achieve real autonomy and imminent independence was limited.
Momis said if all went well, the mine should be reopened by 2020 and ABG would be the recipient of substantial taxation revenues during the projected three construction phase.
According to Alois Lautokai of New Dawn FM, the ABG has been working with the PNG Government to implement the provisions of the Bougainville Peace Agreement to allow it to exercise mining powers normally exercised by the Government.
He said the process was largely complete and had involved:
- Establishing an ABG Mining Department;
- The development by the ABG of its own mining policy; and
- The preparation of Bougainville mining legislation.
Unlike what most critics claim, the ABG has continued to consult landowners and other Bougainvilleans to prepare for possible negotiations about the future of the mine. These are being done slowly, deliberately and carefully, Momis said.
He said the region had no intention to rush and they were first trying to ensure that the mine lease landowners were organised to be fully involved in every step of the process.
He said in spite of critics claiming ABG’s hand in manipulating the issue and quietly lobbying for the return of BCL, the ABG had always remained objective.
He said the decision to have BCL return to Bougainville depended on the company, but further stated that the landowners wanted BCL.
Momis said if mining went ahead, it must provide economic opportunities for as many Bougainvilleans as possible and ensure active participation.
27.05.2014
Source: The National
Herbal healers offer health care services
THE Bougainville Traditional Health Association is offering primary health care services in communities by working with health authorities, chairman Steven Naget says.
Members of the association, commonly known as BouTHA, attended a workshop on traditional medicine regulation held last week in Port Moresby. Naget said the association had 16 traditional practitioner groups representing more than 500 traditional medicine practitioners in the province.
“We are working with Catholic Diocese of Bougainville on its traditional health project to develop BouTHA, training traditional birth attendants and village birth attendants to help during child delivery,” he said.
“We have grown medicinal plants to have access to herbs and to improve environment conservation.”
Naget said the association had established three herbal clinics which were now serving the people. It is planning to establish 16 herbal clinics, one for each practitioner group.
27.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
REGIONAL FORUM ON
By Aloysius Laukai
The three annual regional forums organized by the regional member for Bougainville, JOE LERA is ready to stage the forum for Central Bougainville starting tomorrow.
The forum ill be held at Rururvu Primary School in Wakunai
This will be the first meeting for this year 2014.
The meeting according to the Regional member will review projects planned for scoping and implementation and be an opportunity for the forum to re-prioritize some projects.
Member LERA said that after Central they will hold the South
Bougainville one at Panakei and North Bougainville one t Malasang village.
27.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Banam warns Bougainville public servants
JOEL Banam hands over the new Bougainville Public Service documents to ABG President John Momis at the launchying of the autonomous province’s own public service two weeks ago.
Public servants involved in corrupt activities within the public service will be exposed through the newly established Public Service Management Act.
ABG Minister for Public Services Joel Banam said this in a press conference last week in Buka.
He said this in response to claims made by the President for Bougainville Public Employees Association last week about corrupt activities happening within the public service.
In relation to the claims made by the Bougainville Public Employees Association, Mr Banam said because of the lack of information on autonomy and referendum in the communities, the Bougainville Executive Council had asked the Chief Secretary to take immediate action in an effort to improve the performance of this division.
Following these orders, the chief secretary has already appointed two people, one to be the adviser for the Division of Autonomy and Referendum and also an adviser for the Legal Services of Bougainville.
The BEC believes that these appointments will enhance the performance of these divisions because these advisers are of reputable character and they have been appointed based on their high qualifications, experience and knowledge of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
Mr Banam clarified that they are not public servants but only advisers working on a six-month contract.
Mr Banam described these claims as misleading to the public and said people should not be “bad-mouthing” in public when they do not have the facts.
He urged the people to approach him if there is a problem about the public service, or if it is an administrative matter then they should approach the acting chief secretary.
He said public servants in Bougainville should not be insecure about their positions within the public service if they know that they have been performing well in their duties.
He also explained that he does not have the power to hire and fire public servants; that is the job of the head of the public service which is the chief secretary.
He asked all public servants to work together with him because they all have something in common and that is to serve the people.
“We must be transparent in our dealings with procedures and processes that affect the lives of our people,” he said.
The Public Service Management Act is in the process of implementation pending approval from the Bougainville Executive Council.
27.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Greenfield slams Bougainville road contract report
By GORETHY KENNETH
THE managing director of Greenfield Contractors Limited William Reinhardt has refuted reports from the Autonomous Bougainville Government project office on the performance of his company in the region.
Mr Reinhardt slammed recent comments in the Post-Courier about his attributed to Eddie Kenai, the program co-ordinator of the program management (PMU) in Buka.
Mr Kenai had stated that the ABG and the national Government had decided to have the Kokopau-Siara road re-tendered due to non-completion of the project to satisfactory standards.
Mr Kenai said Greenfield had failed to meet many specifications associated with the project, including having proper drainage systems in place as well as sealing only one layer of the road.
“I am totally lost for words as to why Mr Kenai has gone to the media without taking time to read the report by Department of Works on the project, which was scoped poorly at phase one and for which the Finance Department delayed raising the authority to pre-commit by nine months,” Mr Reinhardt said.
“By then, condition of road surfaced that was paved for sealing had deteriorated so badly that variation was necessary to repair the road to a condition where it could be sealed.
“The drainage systems that Mr Kenai talks about are not listed on the contract bill of quantities because they were supposed to have been in the contract for phase one of the project but obviously were poorly done.
“The slanderous statements from Mr Kenai have tarnished the image of Greenfield Contractors Limited and we have already contacted our lawyers to set in motion a process through which those responsible for the report will be sued for loss of business,” Mr Reinhardt said.
In the report by the Works Department to the Chief Secretary and director of High Impact Office of the infrastructure Development Authority (IDA), it was stated that “The project had numerous unnecessary delays.
“The main delay being for nine months with the Finance Department not raising authority to pre-commit for reasons known to the APC chairman, Steven Nukuitu who held up the process.
“As a result of more than nine months delay the pavement works done in first place (by a separate contractor) deteriorated to an appalling state due to increment of wet weather and heavy traffic.
“Other delays also by Finance Department were delaying of progressive claims forwarded by the contractor that affected the continuity of activities on the road.”
Meanwhile, Central Bougainville MP Jimmy Miringtoro has raised concerns that local contractors are being marginalised by the administration in favour of non-Bougainvillean contractors who bring in their own labour and expertise.
Mr Reinhardt said the sealing subcontractor, which had the sealing equipment, withdrew because of the delays by Finance Department so Greenfield had to purchase sealing equipment to build up its sealing capacity and all this happened at a considerable cost to company.
27.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville prepares for double celebration
The famous Bougainville Mona Festival is now set to be staged in August this year.
This was announced at the launch of the festival at the Bel Isi Park in Buka last week.
The ABG Division of Arts, Culture and Tourism also handed over the responsibilities of organising the event to a new committee chaired by former Speaker of the ABG House of Representatives, Francesca Semoso.
The launch of the festival also marked the beginning of a fundraising drive to raise funds for the event.
Ms Semoso appealed to individuals, corporate and business houses in Bougainville to assist and donate in cash or kind to this important event.
Member for the Hagogohe constituency Peter Sohia pledged K3000 towards the event and commended the committee for their efforts.
He said he will be talking to all Members representing North Bougainville to support this unique event.
Member representing Central Women in Bougainville Joan Jerome was also present at the launch.
She acknowledged the Bougainville women who are taking the lead in organizing the event and encouraged the people to take part in it.
“Culture is very important. The Mona Festival will bring pride to the people of Bougainville,” she said.
The festival will be staged from August 28-30.
This will also coincide with the Flower and Crafts Show which will take place from August 25-28.
The organizing committee is also selling raffle tickets for the chance to travel with the Bougainville contingent to Port Moresby for the Melanesian Arts Festival that will be staged this year.
27.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Minister: Peace, development needed
AUTONOMOUS Bougainville Government Minister for Community Development Melchior Dare says peace and development together will bring peace itself to the next level.
Mr Dare was making these remarks during the launch of the Women’s Peace Building Initiative project at the Kuri Village Resort in Buka on Tuesday.
“Bougainville is at peace but we have come to the crossroad and peace itself is not enough. Today is about peace and development. This will alter peace to the next level.”
As the minister responsible for women and looking after development partners, today I see this important event as the start of a relationship with our partners in the United States”, he said.
Mr Dare thanked the United States and its citizens through USAID for complimenting and boosting local programs in Bougainville with the launch of this new project.
“We are privileged that you are here for us through this program.”
He later described Bougainville women as the peace makers and resource owners in Bougainville.
26.05.2014
Source: The National
Momis: Politics, economy go together
THE political and economic landscape in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville cannot be separated, its President Chief John Momis says.
He said that in an interview with New Dawn FM from Cairns, Australia, where he was attending the PNG-Australia Business forum.
He said although remarkable wealth was generated from the Panguna mine between 1972 and 1989, deep resentment was felt by Bougainvilleans that resulted in the civil war.
Momis said that was because there was unfair arrangement that saw the people bear heavy social and environment costs under an inequitable revenue regime.
He said the political progress had been remarkable since the conflict ended in 1997 through conflict resolutions, reconciliations and peace-building.
Momis said the government had started re-building infrastructure, basic services and economic activities.
He said this was made possible largely because of the powerful qualities in Melanesian culture that enabled them to end conflict and reconcile.
Momis said these remarkable efforts came into fruition in the Bougainville Peace Agreement that began in 1997 and continued to today.
26.05.2014
Source: ESBC
Anti-mining faction turns mad!
The expected re-opening of the Panguna mine turns the losers of the militant anti-mining faction the more and more hysterical: Have fun and enjoy below their latest defamtion of BCL and its shareholders. The article has just been published on Papua New Guinea Mine Watch! It is another excellent proof for BCL's progress on the ground:
Rats begin fleeing sinking BCL ship
by ramunickel
Anyone remotely familiar with the conditions on the ground in Bougainville, as opposed to the fantasy like pronouncements of President John Momis and his merry band of Australian advisers, would know their elaborate campaign (or hoax) to reopen the mine is a castle made of sand … and its sinking into the sea, quickly.
Axel Sturm and Peter Taylor having lunch in Singapore.
No one on the ground supports Rio Tinto/BCL, because we remember what the company did to our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children. Memories of horror don’t leave, no matter how hard people try to exorcise the demons left by rio Tinto/BCL.
So BCL is one big poisoned chalice. The question is which shareholders are going to be left holding the empty slips of paper when reality sets in. It appears that reality is dawning on many investors and they are leaving BCL, to the cries of ponzi scheme magnate Axel Sturm (President, European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper) – who has been trying to puff up the share price.
Now he is begging for the rats to stay on the sinking ship so they can all plummet to the bottom together. Here is the latest bit of puffery from ESBC and Axel Sturm:
The news on the expected re-opening the Panguna mine by Bougainville Copper are getting more promising, day by day [LOL!! LOL!!].
Quotation:
The hysteric yelling from anti-mining activists becomes louder and louder [yes, they are deafening at Panguna!!] and last but not least: backdoor players – once again – are aggressively pulling down BCL’s shareprice to a ridiculous level by selling off huge quantities (up to 500,000 shares and more) at low price.
These three facts should encourage investors of BCL in buying more shares now [Ponzi scheme!!]. Of course, contradictory public statements, strange political games by local politicians or malicious claims of a local drunkard landowner are confusing investors repeatedly.
However, the majority of Bougainvilleans are aware that their personal future depends on the re-opening of the Panguna mine by a trustful organisation like Bougainville Copper Limited. And this is supposed to become reality one day – sooner or later.
26.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
COMMISSIONER RETURNS WRITS FOR TAONITA TINPUTZ BY-ELECTION
By Aloysius Laukai
The ABG Electoral Commissioner, GEORGE MANU this afternoon returned the writs for the Taonita/Tinputz By Election to the ABG Speaker, ANDREW MIRIKI after a successful by election.
In his remarks, MR. MANU said that he was happy that the By election was done without any incident and was also on time.
The ABG Speaker when accepting the writs said that he was happy this By election was done to fill the vacancy left when the former Works Minister, died last year.
MR. MIRIKI also said that because the counting was done for the first time in the district it also shows the maturity of the people to respect the election process.
He said that this also indicates that future election can be counted in the districts so that the people can appreciate the process that installs a parliament member.
26.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
COMMITTEE DEFERS MEETING
By Aloysius Laukai
Secretariat of the ABG Parliamentary Committees today said that the proposed enquiry on Peace Process and Weapons disposal has been deferred to a later date due non availability of funds.
This was revealed in a service message sent from the Committee secretariat to New Dawn FM this afternoon.
The message said that Committee on Peace, Reconciliation, Weapons Disposal and Veterans Affairs would like to apologize to the public on the delay but it was beyond their control.
Another message will be given as soon as funds have been secured for the meetings
Meanwhile, New Dawn FM was told last week that the Committee on Education that was supposed to carry enquiry in East New Britain was still waiting for its share to complete their task.
It is not known if this committee were able to travel to East New Britain for the Inquiry.
26.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville tech college calls for assistance
SINCE its launching in September 2012 by the then Minister for Education Paru Aihi, the Bougainville Technical College (BTC) was seen by many parents as the answer to their prayers.
This is because they know that their children will no longer be travelling to the other provinces to further their education.
However, it is now nearly two years and the college is yet to begin its classes due to some problems experienced which continue to hamper the institution’s smooth operations.
Principal Alphones Umba said he has already identified his immediate aims as well as long term goals for the college however there are some pressing needs that have become obstacles to achieving this aims.
Mr Umba wasted no time pointing out that funding constrains was one of the major issues affecting the institution.
“One constrains is funding. Funding is a main problem. I’m crippled right now. If the national government is talking about Bougainville Technical College (BTC), I need funding now.
If ABG wants the manpower, I want the funds now, otherwise we are sitting ducks,” said Mr Umba.
Another problem faced by the school is lack of a reliable 24 hour power source and water for staff and students to use for washing, cooking, drinking as well as on other uses.
“Power should be available 24 hours. Water should be available 24 hours.
Operations should be easy but I am struggling.”
He also questioned the motive behind Regional MP Joe Lera’s decision to start up a polytechnic college in Buka, before adding that if Mr Lera was concerned about establishing a tertiary institution in Bougainville then he should have allocated funding to the “one we already have on the ground”.
He said Bougainville Technical College (BTC) was the first tertiary institution to be established in Bougainville therefore ABG, the Bougainville national parliamentarians and the national Government should allocate funding to the college.
Mr Umba later announced that he has a five year plan which he plans to achieve in order to bring the standard of the institution to the next level, before pointing out that in the near future Bougainville Technical College (BTC) should be a multi skilled training college offering courses that other institutions both in the country and abroad are offering.
He said some courses that he plans to offer in the coming years include pilot training and aircraft maintenance, medical trainings and others.
Meanwhile, Mr Umba said they will be taking their first enrolments in the second semester of this year.
He said they will be starting off by offering eight courses to students including carpentry construction, joinery, plumbing, electrical, metal fabrication and welding, hospitality and tourism, computing and business studies.
26.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville PEA condemns corrupt practices
By ADRIANA SCHMIDT
THE acting president of the Public Employees Association Bougainville Branch has condemned the actions of some Bougainville leaders who are involved in corrupt practices.
Mr Patrick Heromate complained that since the launching of the Bougainville public service, it has been evident that certain leaders have been pushing to have their cronies appointed into various senior positions of the Bougainville public service. He said these corrupt leaders have already approached the acting chief secretary to employ their people in the administration.
“The Public Employees Association is very concerned about the manner these ABG leaders are trying to implement the Act through a corrupt system. The Act clearly enacts and states the procedures of employment and termination under its guidelines and procedures.
Every public servant must be recruited through the set right procedures,” Mr Heromate said.
He said the union was very concerned with the actions taken by these leaders and is now calling on all public servants to oppose the intention of these corrupt leaders.
“Opposing the corrupt ABG leaders’ intention is helping out ABG leaders and every Bougainvillean should help to get rid of the corrupt procedures that the few ABG leaders are trying to use,” he said.
26.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Minister: Peace, development needed
AUTONOMOUS Bougainville Government Minister for Community Development Melchior Dare says peace and development together will bring peace itself to the next level.
Mr Dare was making these remarks during the launch of the Women’s Peace Building Initiative project at the Kuri Village Resort in Buka on Tuesday.
“Bougainville is at peace but we have come to the crossroad and peace itself is not enough. Today is about peace and development. This will alter peace to the next level.”
As the minister responsible for women and looking after development partners, today I see this important event as the start of a relationship with our partners in the United States”, he said.
Mr Dare thanked the United States and its citizens through USAID for complimenting and boosting local programs in Bougainville with the launch of this new project.
“We are privileged that you are here for us through this program.”
He later described Bougainville women as the peace makers and resource owners in Bougainville.
24.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
TAONITA TINPUTZ HAS A NEW MEMBER
By Aloysius Laukai
TAONITA/TINPUTZ constituency has a new member.
He is DAVID BRAUN VATAVI who was declared just after 6.30 am this morning by the Regional Returning Officer, JOHN ITANU at the Tinputz Technical School mess which was used as the counting centre.
MR.BRAUN VATAVI polled a total of 1380 votes to pass the absolute majority mark required of 1, 261 votes.
Mr Braun was declared winner after the 6th elimination which show the removal of Gabriel Spae Paito who up to the fifth elimination polled 446 votes.
After his declaration the newly elected member for Taonita Tinputz thanked the voters and promised to carry out his promised three pillars that he campaigned with.
He said that first he wants to unite all the leadership of Tinputz from the Village Assemblies to the ABG who have been divided for so long.
MR. BRAUN said that he wants to use the churches to work with the people using his Electoral funds and will distribute equally to all churches despite on the size of their congregations.
23.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
COMMISSIONER CALLS FOR RESPECT DURING COUNT
By Aloysius Laukai in Tinputz
The Bougainville Electoral Commissioner, GEORGE MANU has called for respect by all stakeholders as counting for the TAONITA/TINPUTZ By election commenced at the Tinputz Technical School mess tonight.
MR. MANU said that he was happy at the peaceful preparation leading up to polling and now the counting in the district which is the first time for any election to be counted in a district.
He said that the decision to have the counting process in Tinputz is a learning Process for the people to learn and appreciate the process of electing leaders to Parliament.
MR. MANU said that the continuation of these arrangements in future by election will depend on how the counting in Tinputz has progressed.
He called on all candidates their supporters and scrutineers to protect the process so that the electoral process of electing a member to parliament can be completed and a member declared in the end.
MR. MANU said that in this election he has trialled working with Police and former combatants to look after the ballot boxes and the election process as equal partners in the election process.
He also pointed out his disappointment in the overall turnout of voters during this by-election.
23.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
TABINAMAN PRAISES US
By Aloysius Laukai
The Acting ABG President, JOHN TABINAMAN has praise the US government and Counterpart International for assisting Bougainville women to provide quality trauma counseling and prevention and support services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence.
He made these remarks at the launching of the Program under Counterpart international a latest NGO group established on Bougainville this week.
MR. TABINAMAN said that the ABG of which President DR. JOHN MOMIS is heading is happy to partner with development partners to assist in areas of national importance to Bougainville.
He said that whilst the ABG was happy of such assistance it was also concerned at the continuity of such projects.
23.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
COUNTING STARTED 6PM
By Aloysius Laukai
Counting for the TAONITA TINPUTZ By election started at 6 pm this evening and will continue tonight and into tomorrow until the seat is declared.
The Bougainville Electoral Commissioner, GEORGE MANU in his election update said that this morning his team had to carry out training for counting officials in preparation of the counting.
He said he hopes that a new member would be declared by tomorrow afternoon.
MR. MANU also said that as the ABG General Election is in May next year, this by-election would be the last as his office will now start work on the preparation for this June 2015 General Election that would be for the 3rd ABG House.
23.05.2014
Source: Papua New Guinea Mine Watch
ESBC: Another shining example for using defamatory statements to keep Bougainville in the stone-age. We cannot exclude that this text below was written under the influence of drugs, such as marijuana, betel nut or alcohol:
Enough is enough: Panguna people do not support reopening the mine
by Peter Nerau
The notion that the Panguna Landowner’s support BCL is misleading and not true.
The Landowners can be catergorise into two groups. Those that are from the lower tailings and those from the pit and concentrator areas.
The Landowners in the mine pit and concentrator areas do not want the reopening of the Panguna and their view is represented by the Meekamui Tribal Government (MTG) and the Member for Central Bougainville. Furthermore, most Landowners from the mine pit and the concentrator areas are members of the MTG and their views are represented by MTG locally and overseas.
Even the Women Landowners from the pit and adjacent land in the mine area opposed the reopening of the Panguna Mine. They are educated enough to understand that BCL caused massive human rights violation and enviromental destructions.
The MTG and Meekamui Defence Force (MDF) are the custodians of the cultural properties and rights of the Panguna people and elsewhere in Bougainville. We all know that BCL is not welcome in Panguna and we invite investors to invest in non mining projects.
The Meekamui people in Panguna cannot be fooled easily by Momis, ABG, Regan or BCL. They can all jump in the lake for pushing their draconian agenda without any regard for the human rights violations and environmental destructions.
Momis is a failed leader who did nothing for the people of Bougainville for the last 40 years. All of a sudden he wants to be a savior of Bougainville. Momis’ mining policy is a smoke screen to divert the attention of the Bougainville people when he has miserably failed in his previous policies on non mining sector. He thinks he can patronise the people of Bougainville with his usual political rehtorics.
Enough is enough Momis. You can fool some people sometimes but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
23.05.2014
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Bougainvilleans promised slow and careful Panguna negotiations
The President of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville says his Government's approach to a reopening of the Panguna Mine will continue to be driven by the wishes of the landowners and the people.
The President of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville says his Government's approach to a reopening of the Panguna Mine will continue to be driven by the wishes of the landowners and the people.
John Momis was speaking during this week's 30th Australia PNG Business Forum in Cairns.
Don Wiseman has more:
"Bougainville's New Dawn FM reports him says the province has strictly limited time in which to get real autonomy working before the vote on possible independence. Mr Momis says this requires that the Government to focus on the possibility of re-opening Panguna to create fiscal self-reliance on Bougainville. He says if this is done the mine could be in operation in the early 2020s and the Government would have been receiving substantial tax income during the projected three year construction period. Mr Momis says despite what critics have claimed the ABG has continued to consult with landowners and other Bougainvilleans to prepare for possible negotiations about the future of the mine. He says this is being done slowly, deliberately, and carefully."
23.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Corrupt leaders condemned
By ADRIANA SCHMIDT
THE acting president of the Public Employees Association Bougainville Branch has condemned the actions of some Bougainville leaders who are involved in corrupt practices.
Mr Patrick Heromate complained that since the launching of the Bougainville Public Service Act, it has been evident that certain leaders have been pushing to have their cronies appointed into various senior positions of the Bougainville public service.
He said these corrupt leaders have already approached the acting chief secretary to employ their people in the administration.
"The Public Employees Association is very concerned about the manner in which these ABG leaders are trying to implement the act through a corrupt system. The act clearly spells out the procedures of employment and termination of employees in the public service in Bougainville. Every public servant must be recruited following this procedures," he said.
23.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainvilleans rely on herbal medicine
By MAUREEN GERAWA
BOUGAINVILLEANS have relied on traditional medicine during the crisis when there was no western medicine and are working towards integrating traditional herbs to be a part of the formal health system.
On day two of the workshop on regulation of traditional medicine in Port Moresby yesterday, it was reported that work towards this goal had begun since 2010 with the collection of data on plants used by traditional medicine practitioners.
The Traditional Health Project is supported by the Catholic Health Services, a major partner of the Government in the delivery of health services on Bougainville and many parts of the country.
Adviser of the Traditional Health Project Ute Ochsenether said THP is managed by a team and has a staff which has so far trained 18 local healers who collected 600 plants and information on their use. These have been sent to the Forestry Research Institute in Lae for scientific identification.
The training, aimed at improving the knowledge and skills of the local healers, also covers nutrition and hygiene.
Altogether, 35 primary health care trainings have been held for these healers, two on management, one training on bonesetter, and 10 on pregnancy.
Ms Ochsenether said a lot of babies are still being born on the road as the women are making their way to health facilities which are far away.
Work on use of what is available in the communities is hoped to help alleviate some of the problems faced in the delivery of conventional health care.
She said local healers are now all members of the Bougainville Traditional Health Association (BouTHA) which is an umbrella organisation of 16 Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations in Bougainville.
23.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Diarrhoea outbreak hits Tasman Island
By ADRIANA SCHMIDT
THERE has been a recent outbreak of diarrhoea in Tasman Island in the Atolls constituency of North Bougainville.
This was revealed through a press release by the member for Atolls constituency in the Bougainville House of Representatives, Frank Pasini Marena.
Mr Marena blamed the diarrhoea outbreak on the lack of transportation and proper food securities in his constituency.
He said that the aid post on Tasman Island has also run out of medical supplies which resulted in the death of two infants in the community.
The Atolls member said he believes that the other neighbouring islands of Mortlock, Fead and Carterets are also in the same situation and immediate action must be taken by the ABG to prevent more likely deaths.
He further explained that food security problem in his constituency is on the rise due to land shortage caused by an increase in population. Mr Marena also stated that the rise in sea level has also destroyed food gardens because of the high content of salt in the soil.
23.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Court releases rape accused after eight months in prison
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
THE Buka District Court ordered the immediate release of a suspected rapist from custody on Wednesday citing police failure to properly investigate the case after the suspect’s arrest as the reason.
This decision was handed down by the senior provincial magistrate Bruce Tasikul after learning that the suspect has been in police custody for the past eight months without proper investigations being carried out by police.
The suspect, Thomas Papaun, was arrested and charged by police on September 1 last year at Namanporavan village in the Tinputz District after he was alleged to have raped a young girl (named) there.
He first appeared before the court on the November 13 but was refused bail as this court did not have the jurisdiction to grant him bail as stipulated under section 4 of the Bail Act.
His case then proceeded through a committal process where the court gives police ample time to investigate the matter and complete a report which should be served in court with copies given to the defendant.
However, from the date of that first hearing, police failed to conduct proper investigations and compile a report until the case was brought to court.
Mr Tasikul before handing down his decision said court records show that the defendant has spent almost eight months in custody waiting for police to complete investigations.
He said that police also failed to provide reasonable reasons as to why they were not able to conduct proper investigations.
"This is a very serious offence committed by the defendant and police should have treated this matter as a priority in their investigation.
"Sexual offences in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have been on the rise and when police failed to investigate such cases people will have no respect for the rule of law," said Mr Tasikul.
"This is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed by the police hierarchy here in the Autonomous Region. I say this because many of the serious offences committed by people have either been left unattended by police or dealt with at the village level.
Mr Tasikul said despite the seriousness of this offence the defendant had spent about eight months in custody without proper investigations being carried out.
This contradicts Section 42 of Constitution which protects the rights of individuals.
Those that are arrested and charged should promptly be brought before a court.
"The prosecution has not given me reasonable reasons why investigation of this matter was not ready with time.
"I therefore refuse to grant any further adjournment and I will discharge the defendant from custody.
23.05.2014
Source: Bougainville24
Bougainville’s movie stars
By Nigel Matte
The film Tukana – Husat i asua?, set in pre-crisis Bougainville, is one of Papua New Guinea’s favourite local movies.
The eponymous protagonist, Tukana, is a lovable buffoon like Mr. Bean. The character was brought to life by Albert Toro and opposite was Francesca Semoso, who played the role of Lucy in the film.
The tagline for Tukana defines its purpose as ‘Husat I Asua?’ meaning ‘who is to be blamed?
Though the film is based around its physical comedy, like Mr. Bean and Mr. Bones, it special because it captures the issues and attitudes towards Bougainville’s future that existed at the time and continue to exist today.
The crisis has caused Bougainville to be portrayed negatively, but in reality Bougainvilleans are funny, loving, peaceful and friendly people.
Films present an opportunity to change the perception and show the real Bougainville.
The recent film, Mr. Pip, exemplifies the real Bougainville, it is is portrayed as a peaceful, friendly and danger free. As well the regions portrayal in the film itself, positives can be drawn from the completion of its production in Bougainville without any interference or danger.
23.05.2014
Source: PNG Attitude
While war raged in Bougainville, there was a miracle at Haisi
by AGNES MAINEKE nee KAAI
I NEVER thought I could give birth on my own, but I did. Confirming for me the words of the Angel Gabriel, “With God there is nothing impossible.”
The year – 1992. The month - October.
Since May we had been hiding from the Defence Force in the deep jungle of south-west Bougainville. I was pregnant with my fourth child.
These were difficult times. Food could be carried from abandoned gardens and villages only on certain days. Movement was restricted in fear of both the Defence Force soldiers with their Bougainvillean helpers, the Resistance, and also our own Bougainville Revolutionary Army.
By October I was heavy with my child but still had to carry food, coconuts and other requirements from our village to the bush camps because I had to provide for my three little girls - aged at that time eight, six and two.
My husband was a chronic asthmatic who often suffered attacks due to the state of the slap-dash houses we lived in.
Sundays were special days when everyone left their hiding places and gathered at the Mission Station for service. It was our faith that helped us face the hardships of the ten long years of the Bougainville Crisis.
Even those who didn’t attend Sunday service or Mass prior to 1989 started attending during the war. In these years, until 1999, we sometimes had the opportunity to hear Mass on a special Feast day like the Assumption celebrated by the Italian SVD Priest, Fr Dario.
He was our light during those dark days. He fearlessly travelled between BRA strongholds and Defence Force posts. He was the one who made it possible for me to travel to the health centre to bear my fifth child. But that is another story.
It was on Sunday 18 October 1992. My husband and I left our three daughters with their maternal grandmother and journeyed to the mission for Sunday service.
My due date was 27 October, so this was our last day to prepare the five litres of coconut oil which the BRA required each family to make and give to them for fuel.
After service, my husband and I stopped at a coconut plantation belonging to our relatives. We husked about 40 dry coconuts and scraped them in the garden shack. We scraped twenty each and I carried the grated coconut in an old bag and returned to the camp at dusk.
I cooked our evening meal and got the girls ready for the night. When we had eaten our meal, we prayed and put the girls on the mats where they slept.
I had one other task, which was to squeeze the grated coconut ready for heating to make oil.
As I started squeezing, I felt the first twinge of pain in my back. I ignored it, thinking it was due to the exertion of scraping 20 coconuts earlier that afternoon.
But the pain came back after half an hour, so I went to lie down. My scheduled delivery date was still nine days off.
As I lay on my mat beside my now sleeping girls, the pain returned. I knew this was the onset of labour. I got up and told my mother who said I’d have to go to another camp where there was a nurse.
It was dark in the jungle. People in our camp sat beside their fires and told stories.
We had no torches or lamps and was surprised and touched when my grandmother gave me a little hurricane lantern which she had already lit.
It was her precious treasure which she extended to me saying, “Here granddaughter, you have more need of it than I. Take it with you.” She had kept that little lamp well hidden.
My husband put the nappies and baby things that he’d bought when he had been permitted by the army to accompany his late brother-in-law to Rabaul when he got sick.
With these things in hand we set off towards the camp where the nurse lived. My great uncle’s wife was willing to accompany us. I had the little lamp in my left hand and a stick in my right hand to help me walk firmly along the muddy jungle tracks towards our abandoned villages and then further east to the nurse.
Offering a silent prayer to Our Blessed Mother, I walked between the old lady and my husband. I knew this is going to be quite a night for me. As we travelled, the pains of the child-birth were increasing and coming more frequently.
It took us about an hour to reach the first deserted village. By then it was about eight o’clock at night. I asked my two companions if we could stop there, but both of them were quite adamant.
“No! No! This village is near the road. The BRA’s might see us and kill us.”
So I steeled myself and again whispered a prayer to Mother Mary. “Please be with me, dear Mother. I need your help.” By then I knew that I would not be able to make it to the camp where the nurse stayed.
By this time we had left the muddy jungle tracks and were travelling towards another deserted village along the Haisi – Boku road.
I was stopping nearly every five minutes because of the pain.
We had just reached the houses of the abandoned village when I just had to stop walking. The pain was excruciating.
I told my two companions, “I cannot walk another step. I know the baby is on its way down.” They both acquiesced.
My husband decided that he would continue on to the nurse and bring her to me. So he took off without any light, not even a piece of firewood. It was just lucky that this was our village and he was quite familiar with the bush tracks.
Now I had to try to prepare for the arrival of my baby. My three girls had been born in hospital with nurses in attendance, but now I had to be a nurse as well as a birthing mother.
The baby was insistent. What could I do? The house was a ground house with only a broken down limbun bed near the fireplace. No time to cut a leaf or find something to lie on and let the baby come.
The old woman wouldn’t do anything because she was frozen with fear. Each thing I asked her to do something, she responded, “I’m afraid; I don’t know what to do.”
Even when I put the broken pieces of limbun together and laid myself down and asked her, “Can you see if the baby’s head is visible?” She answered. “I don’t know,” without even going anywhere near me.
I had to resort to touching myself and feeling the baby’s head. So I waited for the next sharp pains and pushed and pushed, eventually expelling the child out on to the dust.
By nine o’clock the baby had been born, falling on to the dusty, dirty ground.
I half-sat and picked up the child, determining that it was a male. I asked the old woman to get a nappy from the bag and give it to me.
The poor baby was already sucking on its bloody fingers because it was hungry. I tied its two hands along his body with the nappy but I had to lay him back at my feet in the dust.
I seethed with anger at this useless old woman. I had thought she would help me, for she used to give birth to her children by herself in the old days.
I reminded myself I was still not free. I had to remove the placenta and then I would be able to stand up and attend to the poor baby. I had been told in pre-natal clinics that the placenta will be birthed with the pain same as the baby.
Therefore, when the next pains came, I pushed, and thankfully without further effort the afterbirth came tumbling out. I was free.
I asked the old lady to get me another nappy and I folded it as a pad then stood and picked up the baby from the ground, wrapped it in another nappy and laid it on a high bed that was used to put things on. I just said, “Thank you Mama Maria.”
In the meantime, where was the baby’s father? He had gone on a mission to bring the nurse but had got lost in the dark. It was eleven o’clock by the time he and the nurse and my aunt and cousin-sister arrived at the ‘birthing room.’
By then the baby and I were asleep and the old woman sat nodding in a corner.
As he led the rescue party, my husband heard no noise and anxiously called out, “Aggie are you there?” I replied, “Come and see your son.” The baby was still attached to its placenta by the umbilical cord, for I didn’t know how to cut the umbilical cord.
Maineke shouted and rushed inside. The nurse and my aunt took over. They made a fire, heated water and made me wash and also washed the baby. It was a relief to place myself into capable hands.
We stayed in that old kitchen until the next morning when we had to return to our bush camp. My aunt and her daughter brought us to our camp before returning to theirs.
My son Barnabas (pictured above) is grown up now, he’s 22 years old.
When he was an infant he was diagnosed with heart murmur, perhaps as a result of his birth. He used to get sick and run a heavy fever whenever he was afraid or stressed. Last year he completed Certificate in Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning at Badili Vocational School in Port Moresby.
That night, 22 years ago is long gone. But I just thank the Lord and especially His Blessed Mother for being with me throughout that night.
With God nothing is impossible.
23.0.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
MONOITU HEALTH PROVIDING FREE SERVICE
By Aloysius Laukai
MONOITU HEALTH CENTRE has been providing free Health Services to the people of Siwai since 2012.
HEO in-charge of the Health Centre, LAUNO MOLOMDATSO told New Dawn FM this week that this has been made possible by direct Health facility funding from New Zealand Aid.
He said the Health Centre was started by early missionaries under Mission Sisters but left when they had some problems with the locals.
MR.MOLOMDATSO said that since the Catholic Bishop of Bougainville started funding the Health Centre it has now come up to serving the people of Monoitu area.
He said problems previous faced by the Health facility in terms of referrals to Buka and Arawa has been reduced as the facility is getting more staff.
The HEO said now their referrals are for complications with pregnant mothers to Arawa and accidents to Buka.
He said even referrals costs are now met by the Monoitu Health centre thanks to the Direct Health Facility funding.
The HEO said that he was worried this type of service could drop if this funding support ends at the end of the program.
Pictured is the Monoitu Church Building in Siwai
22.05.2014
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Rio Tinto cannot assume it will operate mine - Momis
Bougainville's President John Momis says he is not assuming that the Rio Tinto-owned copper mine on Bougainville will re-open or that Rio Tinto or its subsidiary Bougainville copper will be the operator.
Moves to re-open the mine have been underway for 5 years but, as the mine was the spark which lit a 10-year civil war on the island in the 1980's and 90's, the issue is a sensitive one.
Mr Momis told the Australia PNG Business Forum earlier this week that extensive consultations are underway and that landowers have indicated that they prefer Bougainville Copper.
LISTEN HERE !
Presenter: Jemima Garrett.
Speakers: John Momis, President, Bougainville
Peter Taylor, Executive Chairman, Bougainville Copper Ltd
GARRETT: Bougainville is due to hold a referendum on Independence from Papua New Guinea before mid-2020 but for there to be a real choice the Austonomous Bougainville Government must have an independent source of revenue.
For many on Bougainville, including President John Momis, the massive Panguna copper mine owned by Rio-Tinto subsidiary BCL is the best hope.
Mr Momis says altho he initially sought other developers, he and his people are now backing Bougainville copper.
MOMIS: The leaders of the landowers from the mine have consistently indicated that they prefer to deal with BCL rather than a new potential operator. They talk of preferring the devil they know and not a new devil. In large part they mean that they achknowledge that BCL both accepts that it played a role in what went wrong at Panguna and is prepared to contribute to finding workable solutions. They fear that a new developer may not have the same attitude.
GARRETT: Back in 1975 the Panguna copper mine was the revenue source that bank-rolled Papua New Guinea's independence from Australia.
The agreement to get it up and running in time was rushed and its failure to deliver benefits to landowners led to the grievances behind the civil war.
This time President Momis is determined to get it right.
He has put strict conditions on approval of the mine and says Bougainville Copper and its 53 per cent shareholder, Rio Tinto, cannot assume they will be the operator.
While BCL's Executive Chairman Peter Taylor is not too keen on being seen as the 'preferred devil' he is not worried the company will be ousted.
TAYLOR: There are criteria that he expects any potential operator to meet. We think we will be in good shape to meet those criteria so at that level I am not concerned.
GARRETT: President Momis says any mining development must provide opportunities for as many Bougainvilleans as possible, and it must spread the opportunities equitably and ensure participation of Bougainvilleans in decision-making. What are you prepared to do to make that happen?
TAYLOR: Well, I certainly share that view. We will certainly give priority to Bougainvilleans. In terms of training we might do for potential workers in the future, we will employ as many Bougainvilleans as possible. That is common sense any way. You would rather have local employees than outsiders because it is more economic to do it that way, but none the less it also helps us be part of the community rather than just be an operation in the community.
GARRETT: President Momis is working hard to diversify Bougainville's economy.
Crops such as cocoa are now providing substantial income for Bougainvilleans but not the tax revenue needed for Bougainville to be self-reliant.
Mr Momis sees Panguna having an impact well beyond mining.
MOMIS: Panguna mine will be like a magnet that attracts a lot of other businesses and it only needs Bougainville Copper landowners and ABG to agree and that will attract a lot of these companies to come and generate income for the people and revenue for the government.
GARRETT: At this stage how do you rate Bougainville copper's approach to the negotiations?
MOMIS: BCL's approach to the negotiations I think has been quite good. We don't know what Rio Tinto will do because they are so remote from us but I must say Bougainville Copper's approach is very good and I am quite happy that we are collaborating and I think we sort of share in a general way a common vision to generate revenue for Bougainville, of course revenue for the company, and do things under a new paradigm where the ABG (Autonomous Bougainville Government) and the landowners are not just treated as marginalised units.
GARRETT: Is it time Rio Tinto took more interest in Bougainville?
MOMIS: I think so! And I think Rio Tinto is probably being consistently and systematically briefed by BCL. We haven't heard anything that might mitigate against the process proceeding towards reaching a conclusion, in fact, we are very happy with Bougainville Copper's approach so far.
22.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
President on Mine
by Anthony Kaybing
The Autonomous Bougainville Government’s approach to the reopening of the Panguna Mine will continue to be driven by the wishes of the landowners and the people of Bougainville.
ABG President Chief Dr John Momis made this remark during the 30th Australia PNG Business forum in Cairns this week.
“We have strictly limited time in which to get real autonomy working, and before people are faced with a choice about independence, it is that limited time that requires us to focus on exploring the possibility of re-opening Panguna to create fiscal self-reliance on Bougainville,” the President said.
“We must focus on exploring the possibility of re-opening Panguna, for all being well that could occur in the early 2020s and the ABG would be in receipt of substantial taxation revenues during the projected three year construction period,” he added.
The ABG has been working with the PNG National Government to implement the provisions of the Bougainville Peace Agreement to allow it to exercise mining powers normally exercised by the National Government.
This process is largely complete and has involved establishing an ABG Mining Department, the development by the ABG of its own mining policy, and preparation of Bougainville mining legislation.
Unlike what most critics claim the ABG has continued to consult with landowners and other Bougainvilleans to prepare for possible negotiations about the future of the mine are being done slowly, deliberately, and carefully.
“We have no intention to rush and we are first ensuring that mine lease area landowners are organised in such a way as to be fully involved in every step of the process,” President Momis said.
He said inspite of critics claiming the ABG’s hand in manipulating the issue and silently lobbying for the return of BCL the ABG has always remained objective.
He adds that the decision to have BCL return to Bougainville depends on the company but further stated that the landowners themselves do want BCL to return referring to the axiom “it is better to have the devil you than the devil you don’t”.
The President expressed that if mining goes ahead, it must provide economic opportunities for as many Bougainvilleans as possible, ensure an equitable spread of economic opportunities, and ensure active participation by Bougainvilleans in decision-making at all stages, including once the mine is operating.
22.05.2014
Source: ESBC
WILD SELL-OFF GOES CRAZY !
The news on the expected re-opening the Panguna mine by Bougainville Copper are getting more promising, day by day. The hysteric yelling from anti-mining activists becomes louder and louder and last but not least: backdoor players - once again - are aggressively pulling down BCL's shareprice to a ridiculous level by selling off huge quantities (up to 500,000 shares and more) at low price. These three facts should encourage investors of BCL in buying more shares now. Of course, contradictory public statements, strange political games by local politicians or malicious claims of a local drunkard landowner are confusing investors repeatedly . However, the majority of Bougainvilleans are aware that their personal future depends on the re-opening of the Panguna mine by a trustful organisation like Bougainville Copper Limited. And this is supposed to become reality one day - sooner or later.
22.05.2014
Source: The National
Momis: Peace agreement boosted economic growth
A remarkable development in Bougainville’s political landscape is the relationship between peace building since 1997’s signing of the cease fire and how it has provided the basis for economic development.
Autonomous Bougainville Government President Chief Dr John Momis made the remark during the 30th Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum and Trade Expo in Cairns on Tuesday.
He said that since the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001, Bougainville had maintained peace without any sure sign of the resurgence of conflict.
“There are continuing divisions in Bougainville and there are problems facing the government and the people but overall progress since the signing of the Peace Agreement has been surprisingly positive.”
He said that had seen the two main lines of division and tension arising from the conflict dramatically reduced between the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) and the Bougainville Resistance Forces (BRF).
On the economic front Bougainville has seen positive strides with infrastructural development contributing towards internal revenue and employment opportunities.
He said artisanal gold mining and cash crops had provided an immense input into Bougainville’s revenue. Despite the Autonomous Bougainville Government still relying on aid donors and grants from the PNG National Government, Momis said ABG utilised this for capacity development to increase its move toward fiscal self-reliance.
Momis said economic activity that provides income earning opportunities to the people contributes to peace-building as people involved in such activities tend to feel hopeful, and to see possibilities to improve.
22.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
MOMIS COMMENTS ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS
BY Aloysius Laukai
ABG President Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS says that in Bougainville as the case everywhere, the political and economic landscapes cannot be separated.
He made these remarks whilst addressing the PNG/AUSTRALIA Business forum in Australia this week.
President Momis said that the progress has been remarkable since 1997, through conflict resolution, reconciliation and Peace building.
He said that there were two way processes at work that is expanding business and employment opportunities at the same time continue with conflict resolution and Peace building efforts.
ABG President Momis said that when discussing economic and business opportunities and constraints on Bougainville, the key issues that always leap to mind tend to include,
The remarkable wealth generated by the Panguna Copper and Gold mine from 1972 to 1989.
AND the deep resentment amongst Bougainvilleans about unfairness of the arrangement for the Panguna mine which saw Bougainville bear heavy social and environmental costs under an un-equitable revenue regime.
He said that since the conflict ended in 1997, there has been remarkable political progress.
President Momis said that the government has started re-building Government infrastructure, basic government services and economic activity.
He said that this has been possible in large part because of powerful qualities in Melanesian culture that enable us to end conflict and then reconcile.
The ABG President said that this remarkable efforts came into fruition in the Bougainville Peace Agreement that began in 1997 and continues to today.
22.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
HEROMATE COMMENTS ON PUBLIC SERVICE
By Aloysius Laukai
A senior Public servant and executive of the Bougainville Public Service Union, PATRICK HEROMATE today called on all stakeholders of the Bougainville Peace Process to make sure that all policies are followed and implemented.
He told New Dawn FM that the Public Service Union was very concerned at the implementation of the Bougainville Public Service.
MR. HEROMATE said that he does not want to see some ABG members select their own friends to be recruited but all must go through the normal public service process of recruiting workers.
He said Bougainville Public service was ready to work with the Government to make sure service is delivered to all areas of Bougainville.
MR. HEROMATE said that this requires the co-operation of all Bougainvilleans.
22.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
DISASTER MAN WARNS SKIPPERS
By Aloysius Laukai
The Bougainville coordinator for the Disaster and Emergency Office, FRANKLYN LACEY today warned boat skippers to make sure they have all safety equipments when travelling at this time of weather.
MR. LACEY told New Dawn FM that the current weather with the sea a bit rough and 2 meters high needs the boat operators to be alert and make sure they are not overloaded and must have extra water and food when travelling between islands.
He said that no government services to these islands should not be used by boat owners to run on these routes to make fast cash and overlooking safety requirements.
MR. LACEY said that passengers on Banana boats (pictured below) should be between 6 and seven passengers at any one time.
22.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
CHURCHES CAN THE CHANGE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE
By Aloysius Laukai
Churches can change the lives of people if given the opportunity to do so according to the ABG Administrative Minister, JOEL BANAM.
He made these remarks at the 100 years celebrations of the Catholic Church in Siwai, South Bougainville yesterday.
MR. BANAM said that the ABG was committed to work with the churches on Bougainville to make sure the spread the word of God which can change the mindset and the lives of the people.
He thanked the National member for South Bougainville for contributing to the work of the churches.
MR. BANAM said that the ABG does not have much money and relies on the contribution of the National members to assist in these areas as Bougainville can move much faster if all stakeholders work hand in hand for the development of the region.
22.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
COUNTERPART INTERNATIONAL COMMENCES WORK
By Aloysius Laukai
An US based NGO organization, Counterpart International will start operating on Bougainville as of tomorrow.
The group to be based on Buka island have started recruiting staff since the end of last year and would be launching their two-year Bougainville Women Peace Building Initiative tomorrow at the Kuri Village resort.
According to the Chief of Party, WILSON MONORI the project goals are supported by two objectives, 1 Help Ex combatants and civilians particularly youth and women overcome trauma caused by the conflict and 2 Build organizational capacity and leadership skills of women organizations to enable them to enhance and implement domestic and sexual violence against women and protect women survivors.
The launching will be at the KURI village resort starting at 3 PM.
The Counterpart International office is located in the New Dawn FM yard in Buka town.
22.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SOUTH MEMBER SUPPORTS CHURCH
By Aloysius Laukai
The National member for South Bougainville and Minister for Bougainville Affairs, STEVEN PIRIKA says that the National Government is committed to support Churches throughout South Bougainville.
He made these remarks at the Centenary celebrations of the Catholic Church in Siwai yesterday.
MR. PIRIKA said that he gave ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA to the celebrations in Siwai because he believes in development of Churches as the Church and the government serve the same people.
MR. PIRIKA said that he has allocated some funds to all the churches in South Bougainville and they will receive their share next month.
The member for South Bougainville told the people of South Bougainville that he has a vision to move South Bougainville as a member of the National Parliament.
22.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
POLLING ENDS TODAY
By Aloysius Laukai
Polling for the TAONITA- TINPUTZ By election officially ended this afternoon and counting starts at 9 am tomorrow morning at the Tinputz District.
Bougainville Electoral Commissioner, GEORGE MANU told New Dawn FM that counting will be done in Tinputz to allow the people to participate in the process and also to see a member is elected to Parliament.
NEW DAWN FM will be giving live coverage from Tinputz on the progress of the counting until a new member is announced.
Candidates vying for the seat are, GABRIEL SPAE PAITO,PETER TOVALEO BOEVIRI,VINCENT OVINS,GREGORY MANAO,CLARENCE C.KOSUN,ROBERT SINGKO KEKEVIO,LAWRENCE WONE,DYSON KAETAVARA and DAVID BRAUN VATAVI.
The writs will be returned to the ABG Speaker, ANDREW MIRIKI on May 26th, 2014.
This seat became vacant when the former member and Minister for Works, the Late CAROLUS KETSIMUR died at the end of last year.
22.05.2014
Source: Papua New Guinea Mine Watch
ESBC: PNG Mine Watch's furious attacks to be continued...
President Momis has just sealed his place in historical infamy
Dansi Oearupeu
We all know President Momis sat in Cabinet during 1988-1992, and watched as the PNG Defence Force under the command of Leo Nuia, the butcher of Arawa, laid waste to innocent Bougainvilleans.
Momis could have resisted, he could have quit Cabinet, he could have called a vote of no confidence in the government – instead he took his pay cheques, and watched as war crimes obliterated his people, causing a fire storm of violence never yet seen before in the South Pacific.
Being a coward is one thing, now Momis is courting a much more dangerous place in history, by becoming an advocate of violence. On this blog I warned the Bougainville President that his Ministers are inciting ex-combatants to violence, telling them that the people of central Bougainville owe a blood-debt to the rest of the island.
Any responsible leader, with a shred of respect for the peace, would have quashed these claims. Instead, Momis has now come out in support of them. Here is what he told Radio New Zealand:
“Actually the people of Bougainville are saying Panguna Mine does not belong just to the land owners. That’s a very strong claim. Ex combatants are saying, the people of Bougainville are saying ‘We all own Panguna Mine because all of us shed blood over it;. And Miningtoro claims that because he’s the Member for Central Bougainville, and because he’s got relatives there, he has more rights than anybody else. It’s totally untrue”
Of course it is not ‘the people’ or the ‘ex-combatants’ who invented this idea about the blood-debt, it was Momis and his Ministers. They invented it in a cynical attempt divide the island, and strong arm the Panguna landowners into submission. And they have spread this destabilising narrative far and wide, telling people it is a legitimate belief. Then when a few people, and we should underline ‘a few‘, have started echoing the ABG’s divisive lies, the President has the audacity to cite these echoes as evidence that it is the people’s will.
If blood is shed Momis must be prosecuted before the criminal courts for his role in stirring up tensions. He is now inciting violence and hatred, in a last desperate attempt to reopen the mine.
During 1988-1992 Momis secured his status as a coward when stood by as the PNGDF sacked Bougainville, now he secures his status as a traitor to the peace process, and all this for Rio Tinto.
22.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Women launch project
Ambassador Walter North with Mr Tabinaman, ABG minister for Community Development Melchior Dare and the women representatives after the presentation. Picture: ADRIANA SCHMIDT.
BOUGAINVILLE women play a key role in sustaining peace, reducing violence and putting Bougainville back on a path of inclusive, sustainable and transparent growth.
This was the message given by the US Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Walter North during the launching of the Women’s Peace Building Initiative Project at the Kuri Village Resort in Buka on Tuesday.
This two-year US$1.5 million project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and will work with women’s civil society organizations through USAID’s implementing partner Counterpart International to accelerate progress in the region.
This project will engage with a number of local civil society organizations in Bougainville to provide much needed counselling for former combatants and civilians, prevent gender-based violence, raise awareness and increase understanding on the rights of women and new economic opportunities.
“The women of Bougainville played a key role in the peace movement. They were resourceful, resilient and reliable. They never gave up. They provide an awesome example of staying on the right side of history”, he said.
Also present at the launching was the ABG’s acting President John Tabinaman.
22.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Police to investigate prisoner’s hospital death
POLICE in Buka will soon be conducting a post mortem into the recent death of a prisoner at the Buka General Hospital.
The deceased, Alex Avo, 24, passed away a day after he was admitted to the hospital.
According to the Acting Assistant Police Commissioner for Bougainville, Chief Superintendent Paul Kamuai, the deceased was busy telling stories with the other inmates inside the cell at the Buka police station on Tuesday last week at around 10am when he suddenly collapsed.
He was later rushed to the Buka hospital in the evening by the duty officers, before meeting his fate in the early hours of Wednesday.
The deceased who hails from West Sepik but was residing with his adoptive parents at Aita in the Wakunai District of Central Bougainville was doing his grade nine at Mabiri high school when he was arrested by Arawa police for having in possession of marijuana. He was sentenced to two years by the District Court in Arawa in April this year and later transferred to Buka to serve his term at the Bekut CS facility.
However due to some problems experienced at Bekut, CS officers decided that he spend his term at the Buka police station cell.
Chief Supt Kamuai said police will shortly be conducting a post mortem to determine the cause of death.
“It is a very unfortunate thing to have happened. But we will make sure that a post-mortem is conducted to determine the cause of death,” said My Kamuai.
“Apart from the post-mortem, police will also conduct an internal investigation here at the Buka police station, Arawa police station and Mabiri high school to try and identify if there were some activities involving the deceased that may have led to his sudden death.
The body will be repatriated to Aita following the completion of the post mortem.
Mr Kamuai said the member for Rau constituency in the ABG parliament had told police to meet the airfares for the deceased’s mother to travel to Bougainville to attend the funeral, before adding that the Law and Justice Sector program has agreed to meet this expense.
Meanwhile, Mr Kamuai is calling on leaders from the Wakunai area to help police in addressing the escalating marijuana cultivation and consumption rate in the area.
He said many times people think that it is the duty of police to address this issue, without realizing that such issues needed support from all stakeholders including police and the leaders.
Mr Kamuai said many cases including rape and murder that are taking place in the Wakunai area are marijuana-related.
22.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Minister: Peace, development needed
AUTONOMOUS Bougainville Government Minister for Community Development Melchior Dare says peace and development together will bring peace itself to the next level.
Mr Dare was making these remarks during the launch of the Women’s Peace Building Initiative project at the Kuri Village Resort in Buka on Tuesday.
“Bougainville is at peace but we have come to the crossroad and peace itself is not enough. Today is about peace and development. This will alter peace to the next level.”
As the minister responsible for women and looking after development partners, today I see this important event as the start of a relationship with our partners in the United States”, he said.
Mr Dare thanked the United States and its citizens through USAID for complimenting and boosting local programs in Bougainville with the launch of this new project.
“We are privileged that you are here for us through this program.”
He later described Bougainville women as the peace makers and resource owners in Bougainville.
21.05.2014
Source: EMTV
BUSINESS FORUM A SUCCESS
Outgoing chairman of the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council, Peter Taylor, is delighted at success of the 30th Annual Australia Papua New Guinea forum, and has shared some thoughts about his time on the council.
The two day event held in Cairns, Australia, included a trade expo where Australian and PNG companies marketed their goods and services.
The Expo, and council meeting, concluded yesterday afternoon with a record attendance, signifying the continuous bond between the two countries.
The 30th annual Australia-PNG business forum was hailed a success with record attendance from public and private sector professionals. This was according to former president of the APNG Business Council, Peter Taylor.
Mr. Taylor, who relinquished his three year title yesterday, spoke highly of the event, saying the council had achieved the objectives they had set for the event.
During his time as chairman of the APNG forum, Mr. Taylor was a vocal opponent of the government’s recent ban of the visa on arrival for Australian citizens.
He stated that though it may not severely affect business between the two countries, the government should be making avenues for business and investment, easier, rather than taking facilities away.
Retiring from his chairmanship, Mr. Taylor is confident that his time with the council has yielded good results.
21.05.2014
Source: Papua New Guinea Mine watch
John Momis: Deciding the Future of the Panguna Mine
Let me begin by answering a key question: why would the ABG consider re- opening the very mine that was at the heart of the worst conflict ever to occur amongst Pacific islanders?
There are many factors involved. But the central issues concern the unique political pressures facing the ABG because of the combination of the timetable for the referendum and our lack of a sustainable revenue base. We have strictly limited time in which to get real autonomy working, and before people are faced with a choice about independence. It is that limited time that requires us to focus on exploring the possibility of re-opening Panguna, for all being well, that could occur in the early 2020s, and the ABG would be in receipt of substantial taxation revenues during the projected three year construction period.
I also must make another fundamental point. It relates to the point I have already made about the vital importance of participation by Bougainvilleans in making decisions about the economy.
The ABG’s approach to the reopening of Panguna has been driven, and will continue to be driven, by the wishes of Panguna-affected landowners and the people of Bougainville. I have stated publicly on many occasions that the mine will only re-open if the Panguna lease landowners agree.
So let me outline some of the main things we have been doing to consult landowners and other Bougainvilleans, and to prepare for possible negotiations about the future of the mine. These things have been done slowly, deliberately, and carefully. We have no intention of rushing into making decisions about re- opening the mine. Rather, we are first ensuring that mine lease area landowners are organised in such a way as to be fully involved in every step of the process.
The ABG started to consult with customary landowners about their views on reopening the mine in 2009. Large meetings were held in each lease area in March and July 2010. These meetings established that most landowners were open to the possibility of the Panguna mine re-opening, if certain conditions are met.
Landowners said that problems caused by past mining must be resolved; that new and fair conditions must be applied to any future mining; that landowners must participate fully at all stages of development; and that landowners for different lease areas wanted to have their own representative associations to make sure their specific concerns are adequately addressed.
So from mid-2010, the ABG worked closely with the landowners from the mine lease areas to establish associations to represent their views. There are now nine separate associations. This has been very slow work, but absolutely essential if the landowners’ voices are to be truly heard.
In 2012 and 2013 the ABG organised Regional Forums throughout Bougainville to provide information and solicit the views of stakeholder groups and the Bougainville general public on mining related issues.
The Forums indicated support for reopening Panguna, as long as this could be done in a way that is fair and just and contributes to the welfare, security and wellbeing of the Bougainvilleans.
The ABG also undertook two forums and numerous smaller meetings to engage with ex-combatants, and in late March 2014 held a Bougainville Women’s Mining Forum in Buka attended by over 200 women representatives from all over Bougainville.
Women reiterated the view expressed in other forums that the ABG should consider reopening of Panguna, but only if this can be done in a way that addresses issues from earlier mining and the conflict it created, and if the benefits of any new project are allocated in a way that is fair to Bougainvilleans.
Some critics have said these Forums were staged events, attended only by selected people who the ABG knew supported mining. Nothing could be further from the truth. Invitations went to the widest possible range of organisations. They were asked to select their own representatives. The Forums were open to any who wished to attend. The ABG did not control the agenda or the discussion. So the Forums have provided a very good indication of the views of the community leaders and other opinion leaders of Bougainville.
Against this background of extensive consultations and general support in Bougainville for the reopening of Panguna if stringent conditions can be met, the ABG has undertaken a great deal of work to ensure that customary landowners and the ABG itself are well prepared for negotiations regarding the future of the mine.
Let’s be clear: the ABG is not assuming that the mine will reopen or that, if it is, Bougainville Copper Ltd (BCL)/Rio Tinto will be the operator. Panguna will only reopen if the proposed project and its operator are able to deliver sustainable social and economic benefits for customary landowners and all of Bougainville, and can do so in a way that avoids creating further conflict.
Some critics have attacked the ABG for being willing to even negotiate with BCL. I have been accused of being too close to BCL, of ‘selling out’. In fact, as many of you know, from the late 1960s I was a consistent critic of BCL, and have certainly not become beholden to BCL since becoming Bougainville’s President in 2010. Indeed, I was initially seeking other possible developers for Panguna. But we have two main reasons for now engaging with BCL.
First, the leaders of the landowners from the mine lease areas have consistently indicated that they prefer to deal with BCL rather than a new potential operator. They talk of preferring the ‘devil they know, and not a new devil’. In large part they mean that they acknowledge that BCL both accepts that it played a role in what went wrong at Panguna and is prepared to contribute to finding workable solutions. They fear that a new developer may not have the same attitude. They also acknowledge, quite openly, that BCL did some things very well, especially training of Bougainvilleans. If we are committed to fully involving the landowners, we must listen to them on this issue. Second, the ABG accepts that BCL has existing legal rights that cannot simply be ignored.
So, if the negotiations we are preparing for do get underway later this year, as we hope, they will begin with BCL. But if we are unable to reach an acceptable agreement, the ABG and the landowners will seek other potential developers with a proven track record of developing and managing similar large scale but low grade copper and gold deposits.
Authorising the establishment of the nine associations to represent landowners, and the holding of the Forums have been important steps in preparing for negotiations on the future of Panguna. But in addition the ABG has done much else.
We have established:
a Ministerial Committee chaired by the President to provide political direction in the preparation for and conduct of the negotiations;
a Steering Group of senior ABG officials to direct the preparations for negotiations; and
an Office of Panguna Negotiations to undertake the work involved;
We have approved a Negotiation Structure which will ensure input into negotiations by all Bougainvilleans, and specific opportunities for input by key interest groups including landowners, women and ex-combatants;
For well over a year, we have been engaging with BCL and landowners regarding the conduct of a reconciliation ceremony or “Bel Kol”, as the first step towards BCL establishing a presence on Bougainville;
Through the ABG budget we have allocated substantial funding (some K7 million) to these preparations from our own resources, a large amount given the small size of the ABG budget;
We have negotiated with BCL, the Government of Papua New Guineas (GPNG) and development agencies to provide funding for ABG and landowners to participate fully and effectively in negotiations over coming years;
We have taken the lead in establishing a multi-donor trust fund as part of mechanisms intended to ensure that funding for preparations for negotiations, and participation by landowners and the ABG, are provided with no strings attached and managed transparently;
The ABG also took the lead in establishing a ‘Panguna Negotiations Joint Coordination Committee’ (JPNCC) comprised of representatives of the ABG, GPNG, BCL and Landowner Associations. The JPNCC has met regularly since March 2013 and has made significant progress in preparations for possible negotiations on the future of the Panguna mine. Its key role is to coordinate preparation for negotiations, including the conduct of environmental and social baseline studies.
These baseline studies must be conducted regardless of whether Panguna reopens or not, because they will generate critical information needed to address urgent environmental and social issues created by earlier mining and related activities.
The studies will also help ensure that Landowners and the ABG have critically important available to them. That will be needed to negotiate strong and fair agreements with the National Government and BCL or other investors. The information will also ensure that the ABG, BCL and the National Government understand what are the most urgent and important issues for landowners and other people affected by Panguna.
All the baseline studies and the consultants undertaking them will be approved and overseen by the JPNCC, rather than only by the developer, which is normally the case in Papua New Guinea. This too ensures that Bougainvilleans (ABG and landowners representatives) are actively participating in decision- making at all stages.
It also means that the ABG and landowners can together ensure that the baseline studies are carried out to a high technical standard. This increases the likelihood that baseline study results can be accepted by all stakeholders. In pursuit of those goals, the ABG is also organising for independent experts like the United Nations Environment Program to monitor the scope and quality of the studies.
Landowners will also be directly involved in the conduct of the baseline studies, for the consultants will be required to employ and train as many as practicable. In this way significant economic opportunities will be created. It also allows landowners to assure themselves of the quality of the studies.
In terms of future preparations for negotiations regarding Panguna, the ABG hopes that the Bel Kol ceremony can happen in July 2014. BCL will then be able to establish an office in Arawa. Work can then begin to identify and address immediate environmental issues.
The immediate focus will be those arising from contaminants that were not properly disposed of because of BCL’s forced departure from Bougainville. Work will also commence on identifying and addressing the most urgent social needs faced by landowners in the Panguna area. BCL will also be able to commence technical investigations necessary for undertaking its next levels of feasibility studies.
One further point concerning preparations is that for the past 12 months or so, the ABG and the landowner representatives have been identifying, and discussing, the agenda of issues that Bougainvilleans will want addressed when negotiations begin. In addition to key issues such as protection of the environment and a fair economic return to Bougainville, our focus is already on those same issues I mentioned above. In other words, if mining goes ahead, it must provide economic opportunities for as many Bougainvilleans as possible, ensure an equitable spread of economic opportunities, and ensure active participation by Bougainvilleans in decision-making at all stages, including once the mine is operating.
An additional key issue already being considered by the ABG is how best to ensure that a significant part of the funds generated by any future mining is used not just for past compensation and immediate needs, but is instead used to build a diversified and sustainable Bougainville economy.
Through the various steps I have outlined, we have moved gradually to the point where I believe we can soon begin negotiations with BCL. Of course, unlike other mining negotiations elsewhere in PNG, they will not relate solely to future mining operations. They will also deal with how best to respond to environmental damage caused by past mining, and also with other significant ‘legacy’ issues.
The negotiations will take time, particularly because of time expected to be needed to conduct baseline and other technical studies. While we hope for a successful outcome, we will be ready to negotiate with other highly reputable miners if an agreement cannot be reached with BCL.
Ultimately, while we hope for success, we cannot even assume that Panguna will prove a viable project for re-opening. It is for that reason that I have made it clear that the ABG will be identifying other prospective areas, where landowners are open to exploration and mining. Exploration may then be permitted in a limited number of such areas. Of course, ‘green-field’ exploration projects are a different proposition from re-opening the already proven resource at Panguna. It’s likely that if minerals are found, it would be at least 15 years from exploration to beginning of production.
* From the Presentation given at the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum in Cairns on May 20, 2014
21.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Momis: ‘Panguna landowners prefer BCL’
LANDOWNERS from Bougainville’s Panguna area that hosts the shut copper mine prefer to work with Bougainville Copper Limited [Rio Tinto] rather than a new operator.
Autonomous Bougainville government president John Momis said this yesterday at a workshop which was part of the 30th Papua New Guinea-Australia Business Forum in the Australian city of Cairns.
He said leaders representing the landowners of the mine lease areas had indicated that they preferred BCL [Rio-Tinto] due to its role as the developer and operator of the mine and the fact that it owns existing legal rights to the land on which the mine sits.
“They talk of preferring the ‘devil they know and not a new devil’. In large part they acknowledge that BCL [Rio Tinto] accepts that it played a role in what went wrong at Panguna and is prepared to contribute to finding workable solutions. They fear that a new developer may not have the same attitude. They also acknowledge, quite openly, that BCL [Rio Tinto] did some things very well, especially training of Bougainvilleans,” said Mr Momis.
“So if the negotiations we are preparing for do get underway later this year, as we hope, they will begin with BCL [Rio Tinto]. But if we are unable to reach an acceptable agreement, the ABG and the landowners will seek other potential developers with a proven track record of developing and managing similar large scale but low grade copper and gold deposits.”
Women on the island are also of the view that should the ABG reopen the mine said Mr Momis, though on the condition that other issues were addressed and the wealth from the project is fairly distributed to Bougainvilleans.
Mr Momis said work on Bougainville’s mining policy and legislation was also complete and would see the establishment of a mining department.
ESBC: PNG Mine Watch and PNGexposed -two left-wing blogs that work hand in hand in their fight against BCL!
Enjoy reading below:
21.05.2014
Papua New Guinea Mine Watch
Bougainville mine is “closed forever”
by Peter Nerau
President Momis has lost the plot. There was nothing to show for in the first 100 days of his election. The six MOA’s signed with Chinese Companies is an illusion. He fail miserably to develop the agriculture and fisheries sector. He cannot trust and work with educated nationals. He only believes in foreigners.
Now he going to bed with BCL despite all the opposition from the Landowners and ex combatants. The Meekamui Tribal Government which operate under article 26 of the UN Charter on the Indigenous People’s Rights does not support the reopening of the Panguna Mine. The Meekamui are the custodians of the indigenous people’s cultural rights. The Meekamui Executive Council, Council of Elders and the Meekamui Defence Force Members are the same people who own the land where the Mine pit is located and the surrounding areas.
Even the Panguna Women in their last two Forums in Panguna and Arawa vehemently opposed the reopening of the Mine.
The Hon Minister Jimmy Miringtoro as the mandated leader of Central Bougainville is right to support the views of the people.
Momis and Regan with their outdated colonial ideas should not mislead the people of Bougainville. They are only dreaming and procastinating. The Panguna Mine is closed forever because the MTG and MDF are in full control to ensure that nobody trespass their ancestral land.
21.05.2014
Source: PNG exposed
Momis Celebrates Bougainville Independence Day with Masta
We hear on the grapevine that President John Momis celebrated the anniversary of Bougainville’s unilateral declaration of independence by flying to Cairns, to sell off more of the island’s resources to his pals in Australia.
The event was facilitated by Godfrey Mantle a QLD property developer, and prolific donor to both the Liberals and ALP. Mantle runs the Mantle Group which plans to open plantations across Bougainville with the help of the company’s Director Sam Akoitai, former MP for Central Bougainville and Rio Tinto cheerleader.
Sam Akoitai with Axel Sturm head of the European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper association
So while the ABG serially ignores the cries of Bougainville’s smallholder farmers for basic support services, the President is off recreating the grand old colonial days, where indentured labourers worked and died in the fields, while masta cracked the whip from the shade of his veranda.
And of course it would seem never far from Momis is his friend at BCL, Peter Taylor – once again evidence of what a formidable ‘critic’ Momis is of Rio Tinto (as the President recently claimed in a press release).
Let the sell-off begin!!
20.05.2014
Source: PNG exposed
ESBC: Another mean attack from left-wing Australian backdoor players! They represent false voices from Bougainville!
Momis defends his Australian puppeteer Anthony Regan
Bougainville’s President has a reputation for towing the line set by his Australian advisors. First there was the epic failure of his ‘Bougainville Initiative’ which was, we hear, the brainchild of a Melbourne based advisor, who scurried away in 1987. The initiative was a ham-fisted attempt by Momis to get a larger share of mine revenues for the North Solomons Province, by offering Rio Tinto access to the island’s other ore deposits,.
Now John Momis dances to the tune of a Canberra lawyer, Anthony Regan, brought to Bougainville by the Australian government – for a mere K680,000 – to advise the ABG on mining, and draft legislation that will facilitate Rio Tinto’s return.
So close is Regan to the President that his views seem to miraculously appear in the President’s speeches to Parliament – clearly ‘great minds’ think alike.
This is what Regan said in 2011:
“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”.
This is what Momis told parliament in 2013:
“I believe that it is not really the Panguna mine that caused the many problems and the conflict Bougainville has experienced since the 1960s. No – the real problem was the fact that we Bougainvilleans were ignored. The mine was imposed on us. We had no role in decision-making. Without our consent, the bad impacts of the mine fell on us. All we received was a small dribble of the revenues and opportunities”.
This is what Regan said about BRA figurehead, Francis Ona, in 2011:
“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”.
This is what President Momis told parliament in 2013:
“Francis was not trying to end the mine for ever. No – his complaint was about the unfair treatment of Bougainville. He wanted the rights of Bougainvilleans recognised. He wanted fair distribution of the revenue”.
Of course, independent blogs have published on numerous occasions Francis Ona’s ACTUAL views, backed up by something the President and his advisors are immune to, evidence. Francis was unequivocal in his opposition to BCL and the mine, as demonstrated in personal correspondence written during the conflict.
But the spin doesn’t end there.
Here is what Regan said in about Sam Kauona in 2011:
“ABC: 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”.
Fast forward two years, and this spin finds its way into President’s Momis vocabulary:
“The former commander of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, Sam Kauona, is now on side and in agreement with the need to re-open the mine.”
Yet, these claims seem to contrast with Kauona publicly stated position on the mine captured on video in 2013, lest there be any ‘confusion’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZMOWpvD9W0#t=10
But of course, evidence is a relative entity. In a debate with UK academic, Regan has suggested that the mountain of data collected to date documenting BCL/Rio Tinto’s role in PNGDF offensive operations – including ADMISSIONS by senior executives at BCL, corroborated by internal BCL documents – are ‘not credible’.
And it is these types of logic-defying statements that led MP for Central Bougainville to raise concerns about Regan’s independence.
Yet what is most telling of all, is the high pitched response from the President’s office. Something of a panic has set in, as Momis faces the prospect of losing the power behind the throne. Like with the Bougainville Initiative in 1987, Momis is rudderless without his Australian support team.
20.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Kali assures Bougainville public servants
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
Mr JOHN Kali making the clarification before handing to Mr Siriosi a copy of his entitlements.
THE Secretary for the Department of Personnel Management John Kali has assured public servants in Bougainville that the launching of the autonomous province’s public service will not affect their financial entitlements.
He said all their entitlements saved while working under the national public service will be transferred to the Bougainville public service, with no deductions to be made.
Mr Kali gave this assurance last week to clarify misconceptions that some government officers had that the launching of Bougainville’s own public service will affect their entitlements.
Shortly after making the clarification, Mr Kali handed to the Acting Bougainville Chief Secretary Chris Siriosi a copy of all his entitlements and a certificate of commendation for his services rendered under the national public service.
Mr Siriosi said all public servants in Bougainville will also be getting theirs shortly.
He later announced that public servants in Bougainville will have to choose whether to become members of the new Bougainville public service or remain with the national public service.
He said the government will not be forcing them to decide which public service system they would be operating under.
20.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Polling for Taonita Tinputz set
By ADRIANA SCHMIDT
POLLING for the Taonita Tinputz by-election in the Tinputz District of North Bougainville commenced yesterday.
According to the acting Bougainville Electoral Commis-sioner George Manu, polling will run for three days while counting will take place starting at 9am on Friday.
Mr Manu says he is in constant contact with the officers on the ground and they have assured him that so far, everything is running smoothly and security on the ground is good.
Mr Manu will be travelling to Tinputz later this week to oversee the polling and counting progress.
He thanked the Autonomous Bougainville Government for releasing funds on time to allow for the by-election to take place, before adding that the people are happy that they will soon have a new leader representing them in the Bougainville House of Representatives.
There are nine candidates who are contesting this by-election including Dyson Kaetavara, Lawrence Wone, David Braun Vatavi, Robert Singko Kekevio, Gabriel Spae, Gregory Manao, Clarence Kosun, Vincent Ovins and Peter Boeviri.
Mr Manu said a new member should be announced by this weekend, while the election writ is scheduled to be returned to the ABG speaker Andrew Miriki next Monday. The seat became vacant following the death of minister for works Carolus Ketsimur in January this year.
20.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
US Ambassador visits Bougainville
UNITED States Ambassador Walter North is on a tour of Bougainville starting yesterday and will end on Saturday, May 24.
The main objective of his trip is to see firsthand and commemorate the inauguration of the two-year Women’s Peace Building Initiatives (WPBI) program. Mr North will launch a $1.5 million dollar (K4.6 million) USAID Project to Empower Women in Peace Building in Bougainville at Kuri Village Resort today
In this program, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through Counterpart International, will strengthen the capacity of women as effective change agents, and in turn contribute towards sustainable peace, security, and development in the ARB.
During his trip, Ambassador North will also meet with members of the ARB Government and various civil society leaders.
Ambassador North, ARB Government officials, and international project executives will give remarks and announce the five community implementing organisations
USAID assistance in the Pacific Islands region supports programs that help communities adapt to the negative impacts of global climate change and environmental degradation; assists the government and civil society of Papua New Guinea (PNG) expand HIV prevention, care and treatment models; strengthens women, peace and security in PNG; support elections in Fiji; and provides disaster mitigation, relief and reconstruction in Federal States of Micronesia and Republic of Marshall Islands.
20.05.2014
Source: The National
US helping Buka women
THE United States Embassy will launch a Women’s Peace-building Initiative project in Buka to build on the women’s achievements.
The project aims to advance and sustain women of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville with the National Women’s Forum being sponsored by the embassy and the Government.
US Ambassador Walter North will launch the US$1.5m (K4.2m) project which will be for two years. It is funded by the US Agency for International Development in partnership with women’s civil society organisation through Counterpart International.
“The women of Bougainville are awesome. They walk the talk. It is a privilege for us to walk with them towards a better tomorrow for Bougainville,” North said.
Counterpart International working with the local civil society will enable them to make awards to organisations, extend quality trauma counselling services for ex-combatants and civilians.
It will expand prevention and treatment services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Counterpart International held three workshops in March at Buka, Arawa and Buin.
20.05.2014
Source: Bougainville24
‘We are building a nation’ say Bougainville officers
by Leonard Fong Roka
Students at the Divine Word University (DWU) had the good fortune to receive an update on the future of the autonomous region from Bougainville Administration officers.
The officers were undertaking short courses under the DWU Faculty of Flexible Learning on campus in Madang.
At an informal gathering on the Sunday 13 April, Bougainville administration officers told excited students that Bougainville was moving forward, not backwards.
The officers were David Kelele from the Education Division’s Teacher In-service wing, Tommy Samson from the Human Resources and Corporate Services, Graham Kakarauts from the Joint Supervisory Body (a bilateral PNG/Bougainville that looks at the implementation of the autonomy) and Manah Kakarauts from the Community Development section.
David Kelele briefed students on the completed Bougainville Education Act. He said under the act Bougainville will be now independent from PNG on its pursued of educational development and progress.
Bougainville now has 12 secondary schools and some of these are still developing. With all the changes some schools have turned into technical secondary schools that specialise in practical and theoretical teaching, such as Bishop Wade Secondary.
The amalgamation of vocational schools with secondary schools in Bougainville has left with three vocational schools, including Metonai in Kieta.
Bougainville is also actively rolling out adult literacy schools across Bougainville which is producing positive outcomes for the lost generation.
Soon Bougainville will have its own teachers college, located in Buin, and nursing college, in a location yet to be announced. It is hoped this will end the flow of Bougainvilleans out of the island for education in these sectors.
Whilst investment in these developments is taking place, Bougainville has plans to develop its own university soon.
David Kelele chats to the students at DWU.
Tommy Samson, Manah Kakarauts and Graham Kakarauts supported Mr Kelele by adding that all the new laws created by the Autonomous Bougainville Government – the Public Service and Administration Law; Public Finance and Management Law; and the Contract and Supply Law – will contribute to the region’s autonomy and helping young Bougainvilleans to understand their rights and make decisions for their island.
“The current government is building your foundation,” the group told students, “and it is you who will build the Bougainville we have suffered and died for.”
According to the team Bougainville will have new powers and functions in many areas, such as police laws and laws on civil registry.
Bougainville has now own laws on community development, a boost to sport and development issues that will impact the 405 Bougainville athletes that will travel to the PNG Games in November 2014.
Bougainville is currently undergoing massive changes at the policy levels as it moves towards referendum.
With the transfer of police powers with the new Bougainville Police Act it has been stated that no one will be above the law, regardless of their position or importance.
The new laws also are intended to ensure there are checks and balances within the political system, to deter the self-interested, law changing culture seen elsewhere in the country. Under these laws the powers the Bougainville President has over the Administrative Service will be limited.
Concluding the meeting, Graham Kakarauts told students to be ready to go back home and build their nation after graduating.
“We are moving forward and not backwards,” Mr Kakarauts said.
“We are building a nation that will need you young Bougainvilleans to carry forward.”
“Our leaders have contributed their part in the fight; I am doing my part and soon I will step down”
“It is you – the youth with energy – that will move our Bougainville forward.”
20.05.2014
Source: Papua New Guinea Mine Watch
ESBC: GOOD SIGNAL! PNG Mine Watch intensifies its mud-slinging contest mining in Bougainville! So, re-opening of Panguna mine by Bougainville Copper Limited might be nearer than ever!
Momis and Regan ‘relics of the colonial era’
Chris Baria*
The President and Anthony Regan are both foreigners and relics of the colonial era. President Momis continued reliance on foreign advisers proves that he lacks vision and direction. He also has no faith in advice from our own educated people who have the heart in the right place. Minister Miringtoro is not just an individual as he speaks for the people of Central Bougainville who mandated him to represent them. The people of Central are fed up with mining and their land to grow crops is now a gravel pit.
Mr. Luakenu** if you have time please do come to Central Bougainville and hear it all from our womenfolk, our ex-combatant leaders and the simple folk in the villages. They may not be as educated as you but they are not blind. They know now what they did not know before mining was established in their land. They know who came to kill them to take away what was rightfully theirs.
Can the good president provide us some proof of wider consultation he is talking about at all levels including the COEs, We want statistics and resolutions that have been signed to prove that he has the permission to allow mining to start?
Mr. Luakenu do you fully aware of the implications of opening that mine against the United Nations Declaration of the rights of indigenous people who must have a “free prior informed consent” (FPIC) for anyone to do anything their land? Do you understand the consequence of re-opening a mine for which our people were murdered and made to suffer? Has BCL accepted the terms set down by our people? Yes I am speaking for all the people of Bougainville who will lose out again to provide for someone’s good comfort and to maintain a way of life in a develop world. What of our people are they children of a lesser god? Mr. Luakenu.
Mining will not stop at Panguna because it will tear the whole island apart and our people will do nothing but watch it all fritter into foreign coffers because they won’t own the mining company to have any say or influence on it.
My friend BCL has taken over your ABG government as it is the case in many parts of the world where mining took place. Here are somethings Mr Regan said about us for your information Mr. Luakenu:
“There are cultist elements [in the BRA], including not only Damen Damien, but possibly also Francis Ona. They may see little chance of achieving the kind of anti-development and anti-education ‘kastom’ based society which they want for Bougainville except in a Bougainville which they and like-minded people control”. (1996: 29)
He adds, “Ona and those closest to him had limited education and experience, and had little understanding of the complex practical issues and problems involved in establishing an independent nation” (Regan 1996: 7).
He goes on to say this about the BRA:
“The BRA has been very effective in portraying itself as fighting for a just and attractive cause. They are seen as similar to FRETLIN, in East Timor – brave fighters against powerful odds. There is considerable ‘liberal’ constituency in Australia, sympathetic to ‘romantic’ causes. The profound ignorance of Australians about the situation in Bougainville plays into the BRA hands. The brutality and intransigence of the BRA and their lack of popular support are not understood or are ignored by the international media. Such alleged actions by PNGDF or Resistance Groups as executions of former BRA member, clearing out of civilians from Central Bougainville, the use of mortars on villages, incursions into Solomon Islands territory combine to create an impression of unreasonable use of force (especially – but not only – in Australia)”. (Regan 1996: 12) …
I find it very hard to understand what it is of significance that Momis has achieved for Bougainville in he forty years he has been in the representative of the people of Bougainville. His obsession with mining is really annoying and unbelievable. Valuable time had been wasted on this destructive, extractive unsustainable industry that little is done to develop agriculture and other cleaner industries.
Momis was quoted in a Philippine media as saying the Bougainvilleans lack knowledge and skills so Filipinos must come and live among us an teach us how to do it. What is Philippines? Nothing but a source of cheap labour around the world where women are desperate to marry man from other places like PNG to escape poverty.
What are we talking about here? Let the rest the good President for the next term before he breaks something. He is old and his ideas stale.
* Written in response to the story Bougainville’s Momis – no reason to ban academic
** Michael Luakeno has commented on the above story, supporting of John Momis and Anthony Regan
19.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
US Ambassador Visit
by ANTHONY KAYBING
The United States of America is concerned on the outcome of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville’s move towards its political future.
This sentiment was made known by the US Envoy to Papua New Guinea, Ambassador Walter North during a courtesy call on the Autonomous Bougainville Government Acting President, John Tabinaman today.
The Ambassador told MrTabinaman that the US shared Bougainville’s concerns on development but added that the US Government’s main concern was on maintaining human dignity and that the people are not marginalized.
MrTabinaman reassured Ambassador North telling him the government of ABG President Chief Dr John Momis was focused on the empowerment of its people and featured a policy that refrained from marginalizing its people.
“With the US Government’s interest on Women Peace Building Initiatives program in Bougainville the ABG welcomes and supports this program,” MrTabinaman said.
Other issues discussed between the two leaders were issues on Bougainville’s economic development, health and education as well as the issue on the reopening of the Panguna Mine in Central Bougainville.
MrTabinaman said that Bougainville was making a gradual recovery to rebuild its economy and infrastructure with its meager resources which the ABG was thankful for the continued support of its development partners.
The visit by Ambassador North to Bougainville will be for a week which will see him travelling the length of mainland Bougainville and parts of the Buka Island.
The intention of the visit is to launch the USAID funded Non-government Organization, Counterpart International’s Women Peace Building Initiative which is centered in Bougainville.
Meanwhile MrTabinaman is acting in President Momis’ stead as the President is away in Australia attending the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum and Trade Expo which begins today.
19.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
FIVE DAYS POLLING BEGINS
By Aloysius Laukai
The Five-days polling for the TAUNITA TINPUTZ By-election started at 8 o’clock this morning.
In making the announcement, Bougainville Electoral Commissioner, GEORGE MANU said that ten Polling teams will be involved in this election.
He said that the electoral teams will operate between the hours of 8AM and 4 PM in the next five days.
According to the Polling schedule, the ten polling teams would cover 38 polling booths.
Polling will end on Friday 23rd May and according to the Bougainville electoral Commissioner, counting will start immediately at the Tinputz District office.
And the people of Taunita/Tinputz will know their new member by Saturday afternoon.
19.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
COUNTERPART INTERNATIONAL COMMEMNCES WORK
By Aloysius Laukai
An US based NGO organization, Counterpart International will start operating on Bougainville as of tomorrow.
The group to be based on Buka island have started recruiting staff since the end of last year and would be launching their two-year Bougainville Women Peace Building Initiative tomorrow at the Kuri Village resort.
According to the Chief of Party, WILSON MONORI the project goals are supported by two objectives, 1 Help Ex combatants and civilians particularly youth and women overcome trauma caused by the conflict and 2 Build organizational capacity and leadership skills of women organizations to enable them to enhance and implement domestic and sexual violence against women and protect women survivors.
The launching will be at the KURI village resort starting at 3 PM.
The Counterpart International office is located in the New Dawn FM yard in Buka town.
19.05.2014
Source: The National
Momis denies claims
AUTONOMOUS Region of Bougainville president Dr John Momis has rubbished a claim that he was pushing for the Bougainville Copper Ltd to re-open the Panguna mine.
Central Bougainville MP Jimmy Miringtoro had accused Momis of ignoring the wishes of the people and that the company would off-load all its shares to the Government.
Miringtoro claimed that government legal adviser Tony Regan was recently engaged as consultant to the draft ABG mining law.
Momis said the claims by Miringtoro were wrong and questioned whether he knew anything about Bougainville’s history in which Momis was a consistent critic of the mining company and its treatment of the people of Bougainville.
He said he was looking at other options for the re-opening of the Panguna Mine but the mine-lease landowners “preferred the devil they know and not the one they do not know”.
Momis clarified that under international law, the Government and the ABG could not ignore the company’s legal rights.
He denied Miringtoro’s claim that the mining company would off-load its shares to the State. He said he had advised Prime Minister Peter O’Neill against any move to repeal the Mining Act or take over Rio Tinto shares in the mining company.
Regan was one of the legal advisers to Bougainville leaders in negotiations for the Bougainville peace agreement and on the Bougainville Constitution.
19.05.2014
Source: The Marlborough Express - New Zealand
Policeman on the ball with his overseas prep
by ANNA WILLIAMS
A Blenheim police officer heading overseas on deployment will not arrive empty-handed.
Constable Nick Cooke is leaving for Bougainville, the autonomous region in Papua New Guinea, next month.
And in his luggage will be 23 kilograms of sports balls, all donated by a friend.
Cooke said it was easier for people to take sports equipment with them rather than try to get it sent over.
The Blenheim Lions Club stepped in, and covered the freight cost of transporting the equipment for some of the journey. Virgin Australia also helped by waiving the cost of carrying the load on its leg of the flight.
Cooke will be joining former Marlborough area commander Inspector Steve Caldwell, who left Marlborough a year ago to take up a two-year post in Bougainville.
Caldwell served 17 years at the top in Marlborough and heads a six-man team of New Zealand officers assisting Bougainville police.
Cooke was excited about the posting, and said it was something he had wanted to do for a while. He came up with the idea of taking the sports equipment with him as a way of giving back to the community, he said.
"We're going over there to help, and this is a new and unique way to help the kids," he said.
Blenheim Lions Club vice-president Jim Thomas said he was glad he got a call from Cooke. The club liked to help those less fortunate and it was a good opportunity to do just that, he said.
19.05.2014
Source: EMTV
MVIL EXTENDS SERVICES TO BUKA
Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited has extended its services to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Their presence will help generate revenue to contribute to Bougainville’s restoration efforts. Its new office will be officially opened in three weeks’ time.
Restoration is slowly taking shape in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Government agencies are starting to move into the area as part of the restoration program to provide services to the people.
Arawa Township in Central Bougainville also has its fair share of developments. Business is booming with the influx of people and relevant government agencies.
MVIL is the latest government agency to expand its services into Bougainville. Chief Executive Officer of MVIL, Joe Wemin is confident about the business in the area. He said, it will generate revenue for the ABG government to assist in their restoration program.
Their new office in Arawa is the first standalone office in the country apart from the official headquarters in Port Moresby. He inspected the office over the weekend and is pleased with the outcome.
The move by MVIL into Bougainville is economically viable and has also provided employment opportunities for the locals. So far, six locals have been recruited to deliver MVIL services.
They will be working in collaboration with other stakeholders such as police and the traffic registry, to ensure all vehicles are registered.
19.05.2014
Source: Papua New Guinea Mine Watch
ESBC: Sadly the back-stabbing pack of PNG Mine Watch continues its dirty war of words against ABG President John Momis and his honest desire to achieve the very best for the people of Bougainville:
John Momis Watch: Debunking the missionary of money’s deceptive sermon
by ramunickel
MP for Central Bougainville, Jimmy Miringtoro, has prodded an angry bear at the Autonomous Bougainville Government. Miringtoro, it would appear, didn’t get the ABG memo, EVERYONE on Bougainville supports the mine reopening, and EVERYONE wants Rio Tinto-BCL to return.
MP Jimmy Miringtoro has prodded an angry bear
Contrary to ABG gospel, Miringtoro suggests communities in the mine affected areas have not been properly consulted about the interim mining bill, or the reopening of the mine. He has also slammed the ABG President for working with a company, Rio Tinto-BCL, which WAS complicit in war crimes on the island.
He hit a raw nerve. Momis has come out and labelled the Central Bougainville MP “foolish” and “ignorant”.
In a report on New Dawn, a radio station FUNDED by Rio Tinto through its ‘benevolent’ arm the Bougainville Copper Foundation, “President Momis said that the claims by Miringtoro were completely wrong and questioned if he knew anything of Bougainville’s history in which President Momis was a consistent critic of BCL and its treatment to the people of Bougainville”.
Momis is such a critic that in 1987 he secretly offered to lift a moratorium on mining, so Rio Tinto-BCL could expand its Panguna operations and of course profit margins.
And when Momis got elected in 2010, he was such a critic that BCL’s Chairman claimed at the company's AGM: “This [Momis’ election] is an important development for the company … [President Momis] has established an office in Port Moresby which will allow him to meet directly with BCL and the PNG Government on a regular basis … The tide is running our way”.
With critics like this who needs friends!
Momis, contrary to Miringtoro’s statement, also claims that the communities in the mine area are fully behind Rio Tinto-BCL’s return.
Should we believe Momis on this? No! Put simply, he lies to suit his political agenda, which is a thin veil for the economic agenda of Rio Tinto.
For example, here is what the President said about Sam Kauona back in July 2013: “The former commander of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, Sam Kauona, is now on side and in agreement with the need to re-open the mine.”
Compare this with Kauona stating his own position just one month later:
And this is NOT the first time Momis has misrepresented the position of an adversary. Here is what Momis said of Francis Ona in 2013: “Francis was not trying to end the mine for ever. No – his complaint was about the unfair treatment of Bougainville. He wanted the rights of Bougainvilleans recognised. He wanted fair distribution of the revenue … We have continued that same struggle throughout the peace process”.
Anyone actually interested in what Francis Ona believed can read here, in Francis’ own words, his unmitigated position of opposition to large-scale mining.
No wonder there is no opposition to the mine, Momis’ ears only here the word yes yes yes, despite the very audible no no no.
The President also claims the consultation process has been world class, “we have spent so much money on consultation”.
Last time we checked the Oxford dictionary consultation was “the action or process of formally discussing”. Discussing, exchanging ideas! But Momis does not believe in an exchange of ideas.
Momis claims opposition to the mine is a “syndrome” suffered by “ignorant people” in the mine affected areas, “due to a lack of understanding”. In March 2011 he told the ABC “I believe we can responsibly and effectively deal with this culture of fear [over the mine reopening], this syndrome of fear, by educating people."
Momis has become the missionary for money it would seem. Those who oppose Rio Tinto’s return are ignorant kanakas plagued by superstition and backward ways. So, Momis and his trusted Australian advisers must come in to enlighten the primitive indigenous people, through providing them with the great bounty of western civilisation, rational thought. Rio Tinto, meanwhile waits in the wings to 'rationally' scoop up the people’s resources, and take them back to Australia for dividing up among its bloated investors and shareholders.
But the President forgets it is 2014 . The ‘kanakas’ are not impressed by Momis and his foreign ‘advisers’, or their money-wisdom. The people have a more potent lived wisdom, lived wisdom of staring down the barrel of a Rio Tinto backed gun, and a lived wisdom of watching their birthright plundered for twenty years while they watched on in misery.
This wisdom will never be demeaned, and no one is interested in Momis’ brand of education. They know where this leads, and no one wants to return down that dark path again.
19.05.2014
Source: EMTV
MOMIS SLAMS REPORT
BY: FABIAN HAKALITZ – EMTV PORT MORESBY
Autonomous Bougainville Government President, Chief Dr John Momis, has the Central Bougainville MP’s comments on the new Mining Laws.
Local MP, Jimmy Miringtoro claimed the autonomous government, was engaging foreign legal consultants without consulting landowners.
This week Mr Miringtoro questioned the engagement of foreign legal consultants to draft the mining law and accused the Autonomous Bougainville Government of working in isolation.
Panguna must not be reopened unless laws are made to protect resource owners, until mining related issues are resolved.
A press statement released by Chief Momis described these comments as foolish, ignorant and misleading. It wrongly attacked the President, for pushing BCL to re-open the Panguna Mine.
At the same time under international law, the National Government and the ABG cannot completely ignore BCL’s existing legal rights.
Claims that BCL will offload all its shares to the PNG Government engaging Tony Regan as a legal consultant are untrue.
President Momis explained Regan has done legal work for successive governments since 1981, and the ABG is entirely satisfied of him having no links with Rio Tinto.
19.05.2014
Source: EMTV
AUTONOMY WAY FORWARD
BY: FABIAN HAKALITZ – EMTV PORT MORESBY
The Bougainville experience of autonomy is a way forward for other provinces in Papua New Guinea.
These comments were made by the Secretary for the Department of Personnel Management John Kali, while in Buka, for the launching of the new public service law.
Mr Kali said that Bougainville is Papua New Guinea’s model region, for successfully implementing the autonomy arrangements.
It is a good experience for other provinces, to bring the public service right at people’s door step, to improve the delivery of goods and services, accessible and efficient.
The service must roll over starting from the Provincial Government all the way to the local level government.
For Bougainville’s case, from the Bougainville Administration, right to the Council of Elders, then to the Council of Chiefs.
The approach leaders took, has seen the successful draw down of powers and functions from the National Government to the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
19.05.2014
Source: Bougainville24
More funds for education as schools plant gardens
By Ishmael Palipal
Some schools in Bougainville have set an example of how to benefit from traditional agriculture in the modern economy.
There has been much talk in recent years on how to develop the economy of the region, meanwhile the farmers have been hard at work to cultivate their crops.
The majority of the people are villagers who tend to and farm the land, which is historically passed down to them through their mothers and grandmothers.
The largely informal nature of the economy has created revenue raising difficulties for the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
The soil on the island of Bougainville is very rich and garden goods or crops grow very well throughout the Island.
School farms have grown goods without the use of fertiliser to show the beauty of the soil below.
Mr Jermal Hirara has been a great exponent of agriculture at schools, a practice that allows schools to spend less on food and more on education.
Since 2010 Bishop Wade Secondary School, under the initial direction of Hirara, has grown cabbage and many other vegetables to provide the school mess with farmed goods. The money budgeted for buying farmed foods was saved and later use for other purposes.
Mr. Hirara now teaches at Hutjena Secodary School and has brought his school farm concept with him.
“We just grow them in small long mounts without fertilisers but water them every morning and evening because the land has been used for a long time,” said Mr. Hirara, showing the cabbage grown in Hutjena Secondary School farm.
He said that the farm provides the needed vegetables and other food in the mess to complement the other store bought goods and also to make the meals more nutritious instead of eating the same old store goods every day.
While recent focus has been on the re-opening of the Panguna mine, the traditional agricultural economy continues to quietly work away.
“The government is planning on taking agricultural means and the first project which is underway is the growing of potatoes in Wakunai District,” said the member for Kunua-Kereaka District during his talk with the Bougainville students in Divine Word University.
He said with the recent visit of the National Minister for Agriculture Tommy Tomscoll, agriculture looks promising to boost the economy of the region because our land is rich in nutrients and things can grow even much better with the help of experts.
He said that he believed in Bougainville because they have done it in the past and can do it again and this time with the support of their government.
17.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
REMEMBRANCE DAY TO BE COMMEMORATED TOMORROW
By Aloysius Laukai
The people of Bougainville will celebrate May 17 th tomorrow .
May 17 th is the UDI day announced by the Late Francis Ona at Arawa on May 17th 1990.
Since then the ABG has recognized it as remembrance day to remember those who died during the Bougainville crisis on both sides of the conflict.
16.05.2014
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Bougainville leader says Miningtoro lying on mining
Bougainville's leader takes issue with claims by a national MP that it has not sought the views of the people over its proposed mining law.
The President of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville says the National Government's Communication Minister, Jimmy Miningtoro, is lying when he claims the people's views have not been sought on the proposed new mining law.
The ABG is promoting mining and the re-opening of the Panguna mine as the best route to economic development for the province and President John Momis told Don Wiseman that Mr Miningtoro, who is also the member for Central Bougainville, is wrong.
JOHN MOMIS: He's not telling the truth when he claims that we've had not enough consultation with the people. We've conducted more consultations with the people in Bougainville than any other government has ever done. I would guess even in PNG. We've consulted the land owners, we've consulted the ex combatants throughout the region, we've consulted women, we've consulted different parts of Bougainville. We've spent so much money on consultation precisely because we believe that unless we listen to the people and unless the people understand what we are about, what our reasons for wanting to reopen the Panguna Mine, we would not be doing justice to that. So his claim is totally untrue. Actually the people of Bougainville are saying Panguna Mine does not belong just to the land owners. That's a very strong claim. Ex combatants are saying, the people of Bougainville are saying "We all own Panguna Mine because all of us shed blood over it". And Miningtoro claims that because he's the Member for Central Bougainville, and because he's got relatives there, he has more rights than anybody else. It's totally untrue. And the people of Bougainville, this is not Momis saying it, the people of Bougainville are saying Panguna Mine belongs to all of us and therefore it should not be a matter just for the landowners. But of course the ABG is saying "well the landowners are the owners and we must also give them special treatment", which we have done.
DON WISEMAN: Jimmy Mingingtoro has in the past expressed his desire for mining not to happen and he wants to see a focus on other things. I know you've said that mining is needed because of the immediate money it can generate for the province, and that's still your position?
JOHN MOMIS: That is still my position and not only mining. Mining will act as a magnet, it will attract other subsidiary economic activities to Bougainville. Other agricultural projects and programmes will take a long time. Even if Bougainville Copper Limited and the land owners and ourselves, the ABG, agree to have the mine re-open, we will have a lot of companies, subsidiary companies involved in subsidiary economic activities come to Bougainville.
DON WISEMAN: He's made this call. He says he's going to approach Foreign Affairs and ask Anthony Regan to be removed, what chance has he of succeeding there? Do you have any say in that?
JOHN MOMIS: Well, Tony Regan is working for the ABG as a consultant. We see absolutely no reason why he should be deported or should be black listed from coming to Bougainville. There are many other people that have come to Bougainville through the back door some of whom that Miningtoro knows should be black listed. Tony Regan has a track record that speaks for itself. Tony Regan qualifies to continue to work here as long as we need him.
LISTEN HERE!
16.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BOUGAINVILLE COULD BE THE GUIDING STAR FOR PNG SAYS KALI
By Aloysius Laukai
The Secretary for the Department of Personal Management, JOHN KALI said that Bougainville could be leading PAPUA NEW GUINEA into the future with the Autonomy Arrangement being developed in Bougainville.
He made these remarks at a farewell function to farewell the National Government delegation in Buka last night.
MR. KALI said that if the Autonomy arrangement currently operating on Bougainville becomes successful, other Provinces in Papua New Guinea can also be upgraded to the Autonomy level in which they can operate their own public service that can be closer to the people.
He said this can be a good model that can further strengthen Papua New Guinea instead of what some critics are saying Autonomy will destroy the country.
MR. KALI said that bottom up approach which the leaders of Bougainville have been preaching about through the many agreements of the past could be the way forward for PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
He said that he was happy to have worked with the Bougainville leaders since the early 2000, first on the Bougainville Peace Agreement and at the different levels he was involved representing the Government of Papua New Guinea since.
The Bougainville Public Service officially began working under the Bougainville Public Service today May 15th, 2014.
And most offices did not operate as expected due to the celebrations that went into the early hours of this morning.
16.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BOUGAINVILLE WANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN DEVELOPMENT
By Aloysius Laukai
The ABG President, Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS says Bougainvilleans must not become just passive recipients of goods and services but must have the power to make decisions that affect their lives.
President Momis made these remarks at the Launching of the Bougainville Public Service in Buka yesterday.
A happy President told the gathering that Bougainvilleans have been requesting to have the power to control the public service well before the independence of Papua New Guinea.
He said that the National Government has done a great service to the people of Bougainville by allowing them to have their own public service.
This means that the people of Bougainville will now be able to deliver services and also develop policy programs and laws that are unique to the Bougainville situation.
President MOMIS said that many people have been praying and hoping that the problems on Bougainville would naturally end soon.
These benefits and service are necessary and more valuable than receiving ready-made answers from Port Moresby..
He said that Bougainvilleans must be happy that we are in this situation, so that we must work hard to come out of these situations.
President Momis said that we must make an effort and the adaption of the laws that we are launching today is a demonstration that the people are now empowered to make their own decisions as Man is not meant to be a mere recipient of Goods and services.
He said that having our own public service gives us the responsibility to be the active agents of change on Bougainville.
16.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BOUGAINVILLE PRIORITIES MUST BE CLEAR
By Aloysius Laukai
The ABG President, Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS says that Bougainville must now create more departments to address issues affecting the region under the changes taking place today.
He made these remarks at the launching of the Bougainville Public Service yesterday.
President Momis said that Bougainvilleans can be able to solve their own problems if given the support by the National Government as demonstrated by the launching today as the Bougainville Peace Agreement is a joint creation of Bougainville and the Papua New Guinea Government.
He said that it was dangerous for people to accept the social and economic model of development... about making money and feeding the people without giving them the opportunity to participate in wealth creation.
The President said that some form of equitable distribution DOES NOT ADDRESS the root cause of poverty but enabling the people to make their own money and distribute services would definitely raise the standard of the people in the villages.
He said that the changes now must empower the COEs and village people to make decisions and not making them merely accepting materials from the people and powerful.
16.05.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
LOIO WANTS RESTRICTED BUSINESSES LEFT ALONE
By Aloysius Laukai
The former DPI officer and Buka businessman, FRANCIS LOIO today called on the Division Commerce to start implementing restricted Businesses for Bougainvilleans only.
He told NEW DAWN FM last night that he was not happy at the increase in the number of Hire cars owned by outsiders operating in Bougainville.
MR. LOIO said that these Businesses are restricted to Bougainvilleans only and must be kept that way.
MR. LOIO said that the Commerce Division has been silent over the restricted Businesses issue since the Bougainville Inward outward law was enacted in the ABG house last year.
New Dawn FM understands that the Restricted Businesses was not included in the original law however there was an announcement by the Minister for Commerce, WILFRED KOMBA that his office was working on the Restricted Businesses list and would hold Forums in the three regions to gauge the comments of the people before including them in the List.
16.05.2014
Source: Radio New Zealand International
PNG MP accused of lying over consultation claim
The President of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville says his government has conducted more consultations with the people on the proposed new mining law than any government has ever done.
The autonomous government is promoting mining and the re-opening of the Panguna mine as the best route to economic development for the province.
The President John Momis says the PNG Communications Minister and Central Bougainville MP, Jimmy Miningtoro, is lying when he claims the people's views have not been sought.
He says his government has spoken with the ex-combatants, the landowners and the women across different parts of Bougainville.
"We have spent so much money on consultation precisely because we believe that unless we listen to the people and unless the people understand what we are about, what are our reasons for wanting to re-open the Panguna mine, we would not be doing justice to them."
The President of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville, John Momis
16.05.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville launches own public service law
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
THE Secretary for the Department of Personnel Management John Kali says launch of Bougainville’s own public service law is an important step towards the delivery of government services to the people.
"We come here to witness this most important occasion for the launch of the public service Act because without the establishment of the public service on Bougainville, there will be no true political autonomy on Bougainville that would deliver the services expected by the people of Bougainville," said Mr Kali.
"After the launch of this public service the responsibility and the accountability for the running of the public service will truly be vested in the chief secretary and the chief executives and the ministers of Bougainville.
"I believe that the establishment of the Bougainville public service will enable the Bougainville House of Representatives to make real progress in ensuring that the aspiration of the people of Bougainville are delivered in full restoration, peace and harmonious activities for the people of Bougainville."
Mr Kali announced that the O’Neill-Dion Government has also categorised Bougainville as of priority importance, before adding that yesterday’s launch was also one of the key programs identified by his department that needed to be fully achieved and established within the next twelve months.
He said the event had come about through the guidance of the Joint Supervisory Body under the joint chairmanship of the prime minister and the ABG president, support from DPM in collaboration with the National Co-ordination Office for Bougainville Affairs, the Bougainville administration under the leadership of Chris Siriosi and others.
He highlighted some relevant parts of the Acts, and announced that the law took effect starting yesterday.
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