News 11.2013.1
23.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ABG INVITES BOMB EXPERTS
By Aloysius Laukai
World War II remains in the jungle near Torokina
The Bougainville Acting Chief Administrator, CHRIS SIRIOSI (pictured) this afternoon clarified why seven Australian Defence Force Soldiers are on Bougainville.
In a press release made this afternoon after the uniformed soldiers got off the plane at the Buka airport on the AIR NIUGINI, MR. SIRIOSI explained that these group of soldiers were invited by the ABG to remove un exploded World War 2 Bombs and ammunitions in the TOROKINA area of South Bougainville.
He said that this group is an advance party of a much larger group who will be based in Torokina for this program.
The Chief Administrator said that the group will be in Torokina from the 27th of November and will return to Buka on the 2nd of December.
They will leave Buka on December 5th,2013.
He said that persons who want more information can call the Division of Media and Communication on Telephone 9739978 or Mobile number 72375576.
23.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SIF SIGNING
Pictured are the two chiefs, CHRIS SIRIOSI and SIR MANAZUPE ZURENUOC signing the documents at the Hutjena Secondary School Hall last Friday.
23.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
CHIEF HAPPY
By Aloysius Laukai
The Chief Secretary, SIR MANAZUPE ZURENUOC is happy at the progress of some projects currently been carried out the by ABG under the National Government’s Rural Electrification Program and also at the upgrading and sealing of the Buka ring road.
He made this comments after visiting the Rural Electrification Project up to Malasang village on Buka this morning.
SIR ZURENUOC said that although there has been some tussle between the ABG and the National Government on projects under the Special Intervention fund it was now evident that some work has been done and this must be acknowledged.
He made these comments after he was briefed by the ABG’s special Project Officer, APHRAIME EMINONI on the progress of the Rural Electrification program covering NORTH, CENTRAL and SOUTH BOUGAINVILLE.
MR. EMINONI said that the Rural Electrification on Buka island has reached Malasang village and will continue up to KESSA which is the end of the road.
He said that his program will continue and will not wait for the Sealing which is coming at a much slower pace.
MR. EMINONI said that the another program on MAINLAND Bougainville will start from KOKOPAU up to the proposed RAMAZON HYDRO POWER Project.
In the Central Bougainville, MR. EMINONI reported that the project from Arawa has already reached TONIVA whilst the BUIN District Power has been fully established and will soon come under the control of PNG POWER.
MR. EMINONI said that the ABG aims to fully restore power generation in the three main District Headquaters that is BUKA, ARAWA and BUIN before it moves into the other districts.
He said that Hydro Power generation centres have been identified in North, Central and South Bougainville and work will start soon on these projects.
On the continuous Power Blackouts in Buka town, MR. EMINONI said that his group will meet with the ABG to purchase new and Bigger Generators whilst waiting for the RAMAZON HYDRO POWER project to come on line.
The Chief Secretary was also happy to see new Permanent Buildings being built along the Buka ring road as a result of the Rural Electrification Project on the island.
On awarding of Contracts on Roads, he said that the ABG Technical Division will have to be involved in future issue and approval of Tenders unlike in the past where it was approved without the involvement of the ABG.
The team left for Port Moresby this afternoon.
Pictured is a Meeting with the Chief Secretary and Works and PNG POWER team at Malasang this morning.
23.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
CHANGE YOURSELF TO CHANGE BOUGAINVILLE
By Alex Munme
YOU must change first in order to bring peace and change Bougainville, and this can only be done if Bougainvilleans recognize Jesus death on the Cross to reconcile us back with God.
This was the message delivered by Pastor Donald Tarakoa at the Buka District SDA YAPA Public Witnessing Program this morning at the Bel Isi Park in Buka, Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The Buka Youth, Ambassadors, Pathfinders and Adventurers or YAPA from Sohano, Maregoi and Bei Churches met for a week long DQYA Program which started on Monday and will end on Sunday.
This was part of this one week District Quarterly Youth and Ambassador or DQYA Program to end the 2013 Youth Curriculum activities for the young people in the district.
Pastor Donald Tarakoa is the Bougainville Mission Youth Director and travelled from SDA Mission Headquarter in Rumba to deliver the message and to officiate at the YAPA Investiture Program tomorrow Saturday at the Sohano SDA Church.
He encouraged the young people and Bougainvilleans to restore their broken relationship with God through Jesus Christ in order to restore their relationships with each other and bring peace and change Bougainville.
Pastor Donald also thanked the Bougainville Police for providing escort to this program and other Church activities.
He also acknowledged and thanked Buka Urban Council for allowing the SDA Youth to use their public facility at the Bel Isi Park in Buka town.
23.11.2013
Source: PNG Attitude
From BRA fighter to a sniper’s role in the Mr Pip movie
by LEONARD FONG ROKA
HE WAS ONE OF THE MEN who ambushed and killed eight Papua New Guinean soldiers outside Arawa in late 1992. He was wounded at the former Kieta port in mid-1993. And he recently acted as a Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) sniper in the movie, Mr Pip.
Today Kevin Paibaku and his wife and children live a calm life at Bomena hamlet in Pidia village of Kieta, taking up opportunities with openness and a positive mind.
“We all suffered in the 10 year war for independence,” he told me, “but our struggle is still going on. We have yet to reach the destiny we fought and died for and that is freedom from our own selfish leaders, the cruel PNG government and its people, and Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) and its friends that are still running around to exploit us again with old laws.”
Paibaku joined the BRA in 1990, angered by the PNG army and its patrol boats that came and regularly shot at villagers.
According to Michael J Field’s 1998 Chronology of Bougainville Civil War (online), the PNG government, after failing in 1990 to end the BRA rebellion in Panguna, had its National Intelligence Organization create a confidential plan to re-take Bougainville with Australian input. The plan had two strategies: (1) a total blockade, and (2) deliberate setting Bougainvilleans against each other on geographic/ethnic terms.
All this worked out on Bougainville and Paibaku believes that Bougainville was and is still trapped in this PNG and Australian set-up.
In early 1992, when the PNG army began intensifying its attacks on the coastal villages, the Pidia people began moving their families into the hinterland. As they moved to the refugee camps, their village went up in flames in dawn raids.
It was now the responsibility of young people like Paibaku to patrol the Pidia Peninsula. They had the role of containing the PNG army camps at Kobuan and Kieta from which regular attempted ambushes occurred on the narrow trails of entry into the peninsula.
It was these duties that got him engaged in a gun battle that saw him wounded in 1993. His unit of BRA patrol was trying to block a PNG army team from gaining access to Kieta port.
After facing BRA firepower on the Arawa-Kieta access road without any gain, the PNG army patrol sent a unit further up the ridge under cover of night.
Early the next morning, Paibaku and his mates went to look at the scene of the previous confrontation. There they discovered a section of the PNG army patrol.
Paibaku and his men did not waste a moment and started shooting. The panicking PNG soldiers, some forgetting their weapons, fled towards Kobuan.
Paibaku and his team were about to pick up a few discarded weapons from the road when gunshots from the ridge above took them by surprise. Four of his friends were shot but managed to help each other move away from the line of fire.
Paibaku was trying to get a good shot at the ridge position of the PNG army when a stray bullet bounced off a metal frame he was hiding beside and ripped through his buttocks. He ran down hill into the old Kieta township and made it to Karakung village.
As he reached Karakung, he collapsed from loss of blood. His friends carried him further inland.
His wound was life threatening so he was shouldered to Koromira from where BRA boats transported him to Choiseul in the Solomons. He had a life saving operation in Honiara.
Soon after his treatment, Paibaku returned to resume fighting but the peace process began soon after. He thinks peace was a positive development for Bougainvilleans.
“Peace was good since our kids are now in school as our leaders are fighting the war on the table,” Paibaku told me at Pidia village. “But peace again has sadly created irresponsible and corrupt Bougainville leaders who had forgotten our struggles since the 1960s.
“The BRA leaders are worst. They have forgotten what we fought for and now they are running after money. They have also forgotten us, the soldiers who actually suffered to earn them the reputation they have as our leaders. They are recklessly running after money.”
His recent role in the movie Mr Pip as a BRA rifleman was a moment of pride in his life as a fighter for the Bougainville freedom struggle.
“The New Zealanders helped us make our story be felt in the wider cinema world,” he said, “where people will know at least we had suffered in the hands of redskins from PNG who did wanted only to rob us our rights and dignity.”
22.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ABG WANTS INPUT
By Aloysius Laukai
The ABG acting President and Minister for Finance, Planning and Implementation ,ALBERT PUNGHAU (pictured) today called on the National Government to pay outstanding payments for the Development and Restoration Grants so that the ABG can deliver services to the people of Bougainville.
He made these remarks at the signing ceremony of the Special Intervention fund program between the ABG and the National Government at the Hutjena Secondary School hall this morning.
MR. PUNGHAU said that ABG has its own priorities which are also impact projects which the National Government does not see as important.
He said that the signed agreement now has strings attached to the funding which makes it difficult for the ABG to develop other areas which also is lacking capacity at the moment.
MR. PUNGHAU said that ABG will need the National Government to pay up all outstanding payments of the Restoration and development grants to fund the priority areas of the ABG.
22.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
TWO MAINLANDERS RECONCILE
By Aloysius Laukai
Two former enemies during the Bougainville conflict and from the Northen tip of mainland Bougainville reconciled yesterday at a moving ceremony at Waropa village near Tinputz.
The ceremony was between MR. GLYN TOVIRIKA the former BRA strongman and former ABG Minister for Veterans and the Acting ABG Chief Administrator and Lawyer, CHRIS SIRIOSI.
This ceremony was witnessed by the people of Central, South and North Bougainville.
This was one of the outstanding ceremonies between former factions of the bloody Bougainville conflict that has separated families due to their differences.
The former BRA MAN, GLYN TOVIRIKA who is a former PNGDF soldier and CHRIS SIRIOSI was a member of the Resistance Force that sided with the PNG Security forces during the conflict.
Other similar situations are been addressed by the ABG through its Peace and Veterans Affairs divisions.
One such reconciliation was held on Nissan island this week.
Picture of GLYN TOVIRIKA Being dressed into Traditional Attire for the ceremony'
Picture by Lawrence Banae
Picture of Kunua Cultural Group arriving for the Reconciliation ceremony between former BRA man GLYN TOVIRIKA and Resistance Fighter and Now Acting Chief Administrator, CHRIS SIRIOSI at Waropa village in Tinputz yesterday.
22.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
CHIEF SECRETARY SUPPORT
By Aloysius Laukai
Go PNG Chief Secretary, Manazupe Zurenuoc has pledged to support the ABG especially the implementation of the Special Intervention Fund as agreed at the KOKOPO JSB last month.
He made these comments at the signing of the Special Intervention Fund in Buka today.
The Chief Secretary also said the National Government was committed to supporting the ABG to move forward and prepare her people for the future.
The chief secretary was accompanied by the Acting Secretary for Planning, Ms Kubak and other National Government officers.
Chief Secretary making his speech at the signing this morning
22.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
ABG enacts business laws
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government has passed a legislation that will balance economic development with the needs of the local people.
Director of local law firm, Tuia Namani International, Hubert Namani congratulated the ABG on the passage of Bougainville’s Inward Investment Legislation describing it as an historic moment in Bougainville and PNG.
“Too often in this part of the world we have seen investment take place with no thought for the consequences on the indigenous people. The ABG’s model for responsible investment means that only the right type of investor will be able to operate in Bougainville, bringing in much needed expertise and capital, but ensuring that the needs of Bougainvilleans are met. This is a great example of how to tailor policy and legislation from the ground up to meet local aspirations and to provide certainty for the investor”.
Namani, a director of the Small Business Development Corporation and went on to say that the PNG mainland could learn much from the approach that the ABG has taken in developing and implementing its policy.
“We must welcome responsible foreign investment because it has helped build PNG’s economy and it will continue to enhance the wellbeing of our people by supporting economic growth and prosperity.
“Foreign investment brings many benefits. It supports existing jobs and creates new jobs, it encourages innovation, it introduces new technologies and skills, it brings access to overseas markets and it promotes competition amongst our industries.
He said the national government must review foreign investment proposals against the national interest on a case-by-case basis and link it to a development strategy and policy for future development of our economy and country.
Our processes must also protect genuine investors who have been a part of the PNG economy for considerable time as opposed to fly by companies who come in to the country with competing interests and no capital.
Mr Namani further said that “We are proud that our partner in Tuia Namani, Tuia International, has played a leading role in working with the ABG on it policy, legislation and implementation”.
Tuia Namani is a PNG registered joint venture between local law firm Namani & Associates and New Zealand based Tuia International & Tuia Group.
The business group jointly provide expert services in the following areas of trade development, investment promotion, public policy, law and regulatory advice, organisation design, performance measurement, strategy and economic development.
22.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Buka police arrest Atolls drug users
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
POLICE in Buka have arrested two youths from Carterets Island in North Bougainville for being in possession and consumption of marijuana.
The two, Glenti Joseph, 29, and Malcom Naha, 19, were caught by the villagers and handed over to police personnel who had gone there recently.
According to the North Bougainville police commander, Inspector Spencer Aili, the two suspects have also been reported to have abused two children by influencing them to consume marijuana.
One of boys aged 14 years old is in grade five while the other is a 10 year old still doing his elementary two.
Insp Aili said the chiefs and village court magistrates however saw both boys as juveniles and insisted that their case be heard in the village court, where they were later fined K50.00 each.
Both suspects have been taken to Buka police station and formerly arrested and charged on one count each for having in-possession of marijuana and will shortly be appearing in court for mention.
Apart from the above case, other common crimes as reported by chiefs from the island include homebrew and marijuana consumption, family violence and extra marital affairs, increase in incest rate, stealing of garden food, land disputes and gambling for food and sorcery related cases.
The islanders have also alleged that marijuana and homebrew are not cultivated or brewed on the Island but believed to be smuggled there, before calling on police to check every boats that go there..
He said lack of police presence on the island has resulted in most cases being dealt with by the village court magistrates and village chiefs.
Mr Aili later said he was impressed with the initiative by the chiefs, village court officials and islanders in dealing with law and order issues in the absence of police personnel.
Mr Aili said the islanders have also requested for the community policing concept to be introduced on the island to police and monitor all activities happening there.
“They also requested and wanted to see more awareness on the highlighted areas above to see some changes in their community,” Mr Aili said.
Mr Aili later appealed to youths on the island to refrain from involving in illegal activities during this festive season.
“I would like to make a special appeal to the youths on the island to refrain from drug abuses, illicit brewing of homebrew and other law and order problems.
“We are nearing the Christmas and New Year period and I urge every youth and the communities to respect and work with their community leaders to maintain peace at this point of time.”
22.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville police await doctor’s report
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
THE young girl from Gohi village in the Selau constituency of North Bougainville that was hit by speeding vehicle last week is still in Buka General Hospital.
The victim, aged between 9 and 12 years of age, was hit by a vehicle driven by one of the former combatants from Buin District in South Bougainville last Monday morning.
The suspect (named) and aged in his early 50s was driving an open back Toyota landcruiser when the accident occurred.
This vehicle was given by the Autonomous Bougainville Government to the former combatants in South Bougainville to use while carrying out their awareness campaigns.
The victim was trying to run across the road when she was hit. She was unconscious when rushed to the hospital but her condition has now stabilised.
According to the North Bougainville provincial police commander, Inspector Spencer Aili, the suspect was apprehended and locked up at Buka police station, but later released.
Police also took his driver’s license and the vehicle.
Inspector Aili said police have not yet laid any charges on him as they are still waiting for the final medical report from the doctor handling this case. “We cannot arrest and press charges for minor Due Care Attention and Negligent Driving in case the injuries sustained turn out to be more severe and a tougher charge will be needed,” Insp Aili said.
“We will pick up the final medical report from the doctor and look at the doctor’s comments on whether the impact of the accident will affect her future. Then the suspect will be formerly arrested and charged appropriately.”
Mr Aili said relatives of the suspect had given K300 to the victim’s family to meet medical expenses.
The families and relatives of the suspect and the victim had also met to find ways to address this issue, with the victim’s family demanding a K50,000 compensation.
However, Mr Aili said if this compensation demand, or the traditional Bougainvillean way of solving a problem, is met, it will not deter police from formally arresting and charging the suspect.
22.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Chief Secretary Manazupe Zurenuoc welcomed at the Buka airport this morning.
He and the National Government team came for the Signing of the Special Intervention Fund Guidelines in Buka today
22.11.2013
Source: Bougainville24
ABG pushes ecotourism with website
A website branded as Bougainville’s official tourism hub was launched last week as the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) pushes to increase the number of visitors to the region.
The site, Bougainville – Time to Discover, looks to provide information to potential visitors to the island province, including attractions, experiences, and local businesses.
Bougainville – Time to Discover is a joint-project between the Tourism Office of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the Central Bougainville Tourism Association and Voluntary Service Abroad New Zealand.
The CEO of Bougainville Tourism, Lawrence Belleh, told Radio Australia that Bougainville is now ready to share its gifts of natural beauty with the world after many years marred by conflict.
“We have the still rawness in the natural environment and everything people would want to see especially with the ecotourism that is around here in Bougainville,” Mr Belleh said.
22.11.2013
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Bougainville song competition tackles violence against women
The United Nations has launched a new song competition in Bougainville to encourage more women to participate in the largely male-dominated local music industry.
A cash prize is being offered to the best song that tackles one of two themes - 'real men don't hit women' or 'empowering women'.
The winner will be announced on White Ribbon Day on November 25.
Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speaker: Agnes Titus, sub-national coordinator for UN Women Bougainville
LISTEN HERE !
21.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SPECIAL INTERVENTION FUND SIGNING
(ABG Media)
A Memorandum of Understanding of the Special Intervention Funds will be signed between the national government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
The MoU signing which will take place on Friday (22 November) at the Hutjena High School Hall will contribute significantly to efficient implementation and delivery of high impact projects in the Bougainville region.
The signing of the SIF Guidelines wraps up weeks of tireless work by the joint working committee of the GoPNG and ABG following the recent JSB
meeting in Kokopo in which both governments resolved to the development of an administrative and acquittal arrangement for managing the SIFs.
21.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Doctor brings relief to Arawa
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
THE recent transfer of a senior doctor from the Buka General Hospital to Arawa Hospital in Central Bougainville has been greatly appreciated by many people in Central and South Bougainville.
This is because they know that after many years of waiting, they now have a medical practitioner who can help properly diagnose their cause of illness, instead of having to travel all the way to Buka to seek medical attention.
It has been more than a month since Dr Joseph Vilosi was transferred to Arawa to head the hospital’s operations there.
According to Dr Vilosi, his transfer has also seen an increase in the number of patients that goes there to seek medical attention.
Dr Vilosi has also started doing minor operations on patients at the hospital’s theatre room, a thing which was never done there during the past years.
So far he has operated on more than five patients, with the first one done about two weeks ago.
“The first patient that I operated was referred from Buin in South Bougainville to Buka hospital, but stopped here so I operated the patient here. Many who saw this were very happy because this is a sign that the delivery of health service at the Arawa hospital is now reaching new heights,” he said.
“However, at the moment we do not have an anesthetist so all major cases are referred to Buka.”
Dr Vilosi has also conducted numerous awareness campaigns on healthy living, resulting in more patients coming to seek medical attention.
However, the increase in patients has also created an impact in the number of staff working at the hospital.
Dr Vilosi said the hospital urgently needed additional staff to cater for this increase.
“I urgently need additional staff to cater for the increase in the number of patients coming to hospital,” he said.
“I have already sent a proposal to the health administration, which they have agreed to action however this is taking time and I am worried.
“At the moment I cannot make many operations due to staff shortage,” Dr Vilosi said.
“The Health Administration in Buka has supported my request, but they are slow in actioning it.
“To me, I want them to act on my submission fast. I don’t want to waste time. When you waste time then you kill the interest of people, and that’s when they walk away.”
Dr Vilosi said he needed 17 additional staff, mostly nurses, to care for patients.
He said at the moment, he will be restricting the number of operations to be carried out, and he also waiting for an anesthetist based in Buka hospital to be transferred to Arawa so they can start working on emergency cases.
21.11.2013
Source: The National
ABG curbs investment
THE Autonomous Bougainville government (ABG) has passed a law on inward investment to balance economic development with the needs of local people, Tuia Namani International director Hubert Namani (pictured right) said.
He described the passing of the investment law as “historic moment in Bougainville and PNG”.
Namani said: “Too often in this part of the world, we have seen investment took place with no thought for the consequences on the indigenous people.
“The ABG’s model for responsible investment means that only the right type of investors will be able to operate in Bougainville, not only to bring in the much-needed expertise and capital but also ensuring that the needs of Bougainvilleans are met.
“This is a great example of how to tailor policy and legislation from the ground up to meet local aspirations and to give certainty for the investor.”
Namani, who is also a director of the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC), said the PNG mainland could learn much from the approach that ABG had taken in developing and implementing its policy.
“We must welcome responsible foreign investment because it has helped build PNG’s economy and it would continue to enhance the well-being of our people by supporting economic growth and prosperity.
“Foreign investment brings many benefits. It supports existing jobs and creates new jobs, encourages innovation, introduces new technologies and skills, brings access to overseas markets and promotes competition among industries.
“The Government must review foreign investment proposals against the national interest on a case-by-case basis and link it to a development strategy and policy for future development of our economy.
“Our processes must also protect genuine investors, who have been a part of the PNG economy for a long time as against the fly-by companies, who came in to the country with competing interests but no capital.
“Our national interests must be defined to find out what benefit it could get from foreign investment.
“This included a reserved space for our indigenous small-to-medium enterprises.”
Namani said: “We are proud that our partner in Tuia Namani, Tuia International, has played a leading role in working with the ABG on it policy, legislation and implementation.”
Tuia Namani is a PNG-registered joint venture between local law firm Namani & Associates and New Zealand-based Tuia International & Tuia Group and jointly providing expert services in trade development, among other services.
20.11.2013
Source: Radio New Zealand International
New Zealand may help Bougainville improve tax collection
New Zealand may help improve tax collection in the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville.
The province has struggled with a meagre tax take since gaining autonomy eight years ago, but the matter is to be addressed, starting with a tax summit next year.
The New Zealand high commissioner to PNG, Marion Crawshaw (pictured), says New Zealand works closely with Australia and the ABG, particularly through the Governance and Implementation Fund.
She says through this fund they are looking at New Zealand improving the efficiency of tax collection.
Ms Crawshaw says the summit is the first step but the idea of New Zealand officials helping was welcomed when she visited Bougainville last week.
“including you might be surprised to know from members of the business community who are keen to get their operations in order and consistent in enthusiasm to support the operation of the ABG.”
New Zealand’s high commissioner to PNG Marion Crawshaw says the New Zealand focus would be on education rather than enforcement.
20.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Universal Children’s Day
Put hidden violence and abuse in the spotlight, says UNICEF Report from UNICEF New York As the world marks Universal Children’s Day- the anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child -UNICEF is urging a much stronger light be shone on the millions of children in every country and at every level of society who are victims of violence and abuse that continue to go unnoticed and under-reported. “Too often, abuse occurs in the shadows: undetected, unreported, and - even worse – too often accepted,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. “We all have a responsibility to ‘make the invisible, visible’ – from governments enacting and enforcing laws to prohibit violence against children, to private citizens refusing to be silent when they witness or suspect abuse.” Violence against children takes many forms, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and harsh disciplinary practices, and often occurs in situations of war and conflict. It can inflict both physical harm and psychological damage on children. “Violence against children does more than harm individual children, it undermines the fabric of society, affecting productivity, well-being, and prosperity,” said Lake. “No society can afford to ignore violence against children.” There are approaches that work to prevent and respond to violence against children. These include supporting parents, families and others who care for children; strengthening children’s skills to help protect themselves from violence; explicitly working to change attitudes and social norms that tolerate violence and discrimination; and strengthening and enforcing policies and laws that protect children. UNICEF launched the #ENDViolenceAgainst Children campaign earlier this year. It urges public acknowledgement of the problem of violence against children and encourages support and engagement with local movements to address a compelling global issue. Universal Children’s Day also marks the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which this year celebrates its 24th anniversary. The UN Convention, adopted in 1989, became the first legally binding international convention to affirm human rights for all children. It specifies that every child, everywhere, has the right to survive, grow and be protected from all forms of violence. UNICEF is also recognizing today the important work of Child Helpline International (CHI), a globalnetwork comprising 173 member telephone helplines in 141 countries that celebrated its 10th anniversary today. In a global report released today, CHI says that violence, abuse and neglect are among the top reasons that children and young people contact child helplines, amounting to 17 per cent of all contacts over the last 10 years.
Pictured are Hahela Primary School celebrating International Children's Day in Colors.
19.11.2013
Source: The National
Auxiliary police training a success in Bougainville
THE Bougainville Community Auxiliary Programme run by the New Zealand police is a success story on Bougainville.
The project, which was withdrawn in other parts of Papua New Guinea, has continued on Bougainville, thanks to the New Zealand police advisors.
The police officers assisted local police in maintaining law and order because of the shortage of manpower.
The Kiwis took part in police parades in the districts.
New Zealand High Commissioner Marion Crawshaw addressed the police officers at the Tinputz District Law and Justice Conference facility on her way to Buka.
They conducted one-day training on family violence and HIV with trainers from the Bougainville Police Service.
The main issue addressed at the training was family violence and HIV/AIDS, which were on the rise in the
19.11.2013
Source: The National
Village gets water supply
SINKODO villagers in Bana, South Bougainville, do not have to climb a hill to fetch fresh water.
Thanks to the people of Australia through AusAID, and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), the 2,000-plus villagers now have a reliable water supply system that brings clean water to their homes.
Water pipes run through over 6km of mountainous terrain to reach the village.
The villagers used to climb a 20m high cliff to get water.
Mathew Barua, ABG technical officer with the Division of Technical Services, said the project had not only improved the community’s living standards, but avoided the risk of women and children injuring themselves or worse, falling off the cliff.
He said the project took more than two years to complete because of the rough terrain.
But the villagers knew it was worth the wait when they turned on their taps for the first time.
Barua urged the community to take care of the water supply facilities.
The second phase of the AusAID-ABG development project will see the water supply system extend to Bana High School and to generate hydro-electricity for the communities.
Two foot bridges will be built as part of the project.
19.11.2013
Source: Radio New Zealand International
NZ company helps develop Bougainville’s new foreign investment law
The autonomous Bougainville government in Papua New Guinea is about to gazette new laws establishing controls on foreign investment.
The Inward Investment Bill was passed by the ABG parliament on Wednesday last week and aims to ensure that any foreign investment is responsible and meet Bougainville’s cultural, economic and social needs.
New Zealand company, Tuia International, has spent more than two years in Bougainville, preparing around the law.
Chief executive of the company is Tim Gibson, and Don Wiseman asked how they became involved.
TIM GIBSON: As you know, Bougainville is a resource-rich island in the Pacific. It has suffered a terrible civil war as a consequence of challenges around the Panguna mine. Post-conflict there as they’ve been trying to recover their economy. A lot of less-than-savoury characters have been turning up, trying to take advantage of that situation. And the government of Bougainville was getting very concerned about how could they encourage investment that would meet their economic needs, but also protect their society?
DON WISEMAN: And you’ve done what?
TIM GIBSON: So in the last two and a half years we have worked with them to develop a policy setting around inward investment, the purpose being to create an enabling environment which would lead to responsible inward investment, but that responsible inward investment must meet the needs of Bougainvile’s cultural, social and economic needs. So we developed the policy which was approved by the ABG. That policy then fed into the legislation, which we drafted. Paralell with that, we’ve also been building the Bougainville Inward Investment Bureau in terms of its operating policies and processes and linking, where possible, with the IPA - Inward Promotion authority of the PNG national government.
DON WISEMAN: So how, for instance, do you ensure that you’ve got bona fide foreign investors knocking on the door?
TIM GIBSON: They key principle of the Bougainville Inward Investment legislation is the concept of responsible investment, which is enshrined in the legislation, and that is defined as being aligned with the values and culture of the people of Bougainville - ethical, moral and fair, recognises and protects land rights, is environmentally sustainable, involves the maximum participation of the people and achieve cultural and social outcomes. So every Inward Investment proposal has to be measured against those six criteria, and they are criteria which were developed locally in conjunction with businesspeople and most importantly the landowners and people of Bougainville. And it creates quite a high hurdle in terms of a responsible investor. But if we put it into our own context they are criteria which you’d expect sensible, responsible investors to be meeting anyway. The problem has been they haven’t in the past.
DON WISEMAN: In terms of your contact with the people, the input from the people, how did you do that?
TIM GIBSON: We held a series of workshops around Bougainville, meeting different affected parties - be they landowner groups, be they business groups, be they womens groups or social groups - and discussed and debated quite thoroughly with them what the issues are for them. In Bougainville, there is a strong recognition that they cannot realise their potential unless they have access to outside capital and outside expertise. That is a given. But they don’t want to see a situation as has happened elsewhere in the Pacific, whereby an investor will come in and take the quick and easy pickings, create a mess and then pack up shop and leave, and then the people are left to deal with it. They want investors to come in with a secure and transparent arrangement around them and to operate and get a return on their investment, but also contribute to building Bougainville.
DON WISEMAN: There have been quite a number of things that the government has talked about it wants to ensure that certain retail businesses are exclusively in the hands of Bougainvilleans, this sort of thing. So is that within this...?
TIM GIBSON: Yes, that is correct. The legislation has a power for the Bougainville Executive Council to make regulations. And one of the first regulations they intend issuing is around restricted industries. And those are exactly as you described - businesses which should be retained for the benefit of the locals. They’re things such as kai bars or food bars or local taxi services or local boat services. In a place like Bougainville there’s a natural progression from growing a little bit of surplus in your garden, selling it in the local market and then progressing potentially, perhaps, to a small retail food operation. To ensure that that natural progression is retained for the benefit of the people the intention of the Bougainville government is to have some restrictions in place to reserve those activities to Bougainvilleans.
DON WISEMAN: It’s become law. At what point is it going to be implemented?
TIM GIBSON: The law was passed by the ABG parliament on Wednesday. It hasn’t yet been gazetted. We expect that to occur in a matter of days or possible weeks, but certainly a very short timeframe. So essentially we can assume that that is now effective. And the policy framework around it is now the policy so people will have to operate according to that.
DON WISEMAN: Alright. This was the first involvement, I understand, by Tuia International in Bougainville. Is it going to be the last?
TIM GIBSON: No, we’ve also been working with the government over there, doing a stocktake of their non-mining sectors. Obviously there’s a lot of discussion about the potential reopening of Panguna. Whether or not that progresses, there are still many other opportunities in the Bougainville economy for local people to benefit, and they are things such as cocoa, virgin coconut oil, other vegetables, fruits, inshore fishing, potentially some more offshore fishing. So we’ve been working with them to identify some quick wins in those sectors with a view to implementing those projects so the Bougainville economy can get a kick-start. The key thing from our perspective, throughout our engagement in Bougainville, has been to be focused very much on things which are practical and things which are built from the ground up in terms of what the local people can do and aspire to do.
19.11.2013
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Responsible, transparent investment key in new Bougainville law
A New Zealand company, Tuia International, says it consulted widely when helping draft a new foreign investment law for the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville.
The Inward Investment Bill aims to create an environment where investments are responsible and in the province’s best interests.
Tuia’s chief executive, Tim Gibson, says their advice was sought after concerns in Bougainville at some of the dubious investment opportunities being touted.
Mr Gibson says they held workshops around the province to gauge what the people wanted and there is a recognition that foreign investment is vital for the future of Bougainville, but they want to be able to control it.
“They want investors to come in with a secure and transparent arrangement around them and to operate, get a return on their investment but also to contribute to building Bougainville.”
Tim Gibson
19.11.2013
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Bougainville’s new foreign investment law lays out key criteria to be met
The autonomous Bougainville government in Papua New Guinea is about to gazette new laws establishing controls on foreign investment.
The Inward Investment Bill was passed by the ABG parliament on Wednesday last week and aims to ensure that any foreign investment is responsible and meets Bougainville’s cultural, economic and social needs.
A New Zealand company, Tuia International, has spent more than two years in Bougainville, preparing a policy on responsible investment which chief executive Tim Gibson says is incorporated into the new law.
He says every inward investment proposal will have to meet six clear criteria.
“And that is defined as being aligned with the values and culture of the people of Bougainville - ethical, moral and fair, recognises and protects land rights, is environmentally sustainable, involves maximum participation of the people and achieves social and cultural outcomes.”
Tuia International’s Tim Gibson
19.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BY ELECTION RUNNING SMOOTHLY
By Aloysius Laukai
Preparations for the Bougainville By Election is running smoothly according to the Bougainville Acting Electoral Commissioner GEORGE MANU.
MR. MANU made these comments at the Buka airport this afternoon after the arrival of Ballot boxes and stationaries from the PNG ELECTORAL COMMISSION OFFICE in Port Moresby this afternoon.
He said that since nominations closed on Thursday 7th November, the 39 candidates have been busy campaigning in their constituencies and will continue to do so until December 4th when Polling will commence.
MR. MANU said that his officers have been carrying out LPV Awareness in the five constituencies to prepare voters before the actual polling starts.
He said that from the 62 items expected from Port Moresby only 19 were received by the Bougainville Acting Electoral Commissioner this afternoon.
MR. Manu said that Ballot papers are printed this week and he would be expecting them by this Friday.
Pictured are Bougainville Electoral Officials loading cargoes to a waiting Police Vehicle
NewDawnPic by Aloysius Laukai
19.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Regional rice development officer for Central Bougainville, Sylvester Mamoi inspecting the rice field at Hapan village recently.
Rice takes root in Bougainville
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
INTEREST for rice farming is now gaining momentum in many parts of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Though most of the farmers that are involved in cultivating rice farms do not have the expertise to manage their small scale projects they still persist in their farming. The Division of Primary Industry in Bougainville, through its rice farming officers, has already started disseminating information on rice farming to farmers. Recently the regional rice development officer for Central Bougainville, Sylvester Mamoi and a Japanese International Cooperation Agency JICA) volunteer with the Division of Primary Industry in Bougainville visited a rice farm project at Hapan village in the Peit constituency of Buka, North Bougainville. They were there to investigate the scale of rice farming and the villagers’ knowledge on rice planting. This rice project, which is owned by the X.B.N village group consists of six rice fields of a (10mx10m) size. According to Mr Mamoi, the villagers are currently planting the TCS10 and IR64 brands of rice, adding that the interest for rice farming is high among the villagers. Mr Mamoi however learnt that the villagers have little knowledge of rice farming. After inspecting the rice farm, Mr Mamoi and the JICA volunteer gave the villagers tips on how to manage and look after their project. Mr Mamoi said that he will be proposing a workshop on rice farming to be carried out in the area to provide farmers with skills and knowledge on rice farming.
19.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Schools get funding
TWO education institutions in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville recently received funding assistance from Regional MP Joe Lera. Hutjena Secondary School received K50,000 while K80,000 was presented to the Bougainville Institute of Business and Technology (BIBT). Hutjena Secondary School will be using their K50,000 to purchase new computers to be set up in the school’s library. Deputy principal Wamsie Sae, while thanking Mr Lera for the financial assistance, said the school urgently needed new computers for students to use in doing their research work. He said currently the school’s library is not stocked with quality books that students can use to do their research. The financial assistance to BIBT will go towards paying school fees for the Atolls students currently enrolling in the institute. Mr Lera said this assistance was for a worthy cause, adding that these benefiting students can now concentrate on their studies. He said the Atolls students especially those from Mortlock and Tasman Islands have been having difficulties raising money to pay their school fees. While receiving the cheque, school principal Dr Lakoa Fitina thanked Mr Lera for the timely assistance. BIBT is one of the two tertiary education providers recently established in Bougainville. It is currently offering courses in accounting, business, science and computing to students, most of them hailing from the Atolls District in North Bougainville.
19.11.2013
Source: Bougainville24
Independence on ABG agenda
The people of Bougainville have been put on a state of readiness to receive the date for the crucial vote on Independence.
The Autonomous Bougainville Government has declared that next year, 2014, will see a vote taken to set the date for the referendum on Independence as 2016.
The timing of the date with destiny will be decided when the Bougainville House of Representatives meets in a special sitting early in 2014.
“Are you ready, or are you afraid?” President John Momis asked his people.
“We are the indigenous people of our motherland Bougainville.
“We alone have to decide our future, our destiny.
17.11.2013
Source: PNG Attitude
Bougainville: Politics & power struggles hold back normalisation
by LEONARD FONG ROKA
Lawrence Daveona
THE PEAK BODY OF LANDOWNERS around Bougainville’s Panguna copper mine, the Panguna Mine Affected Landowners Association (PMALA), is riven by internal politics and power struggles.
This is causing a lot of frustration that is holding the Bougainville people and the Autonomous Bougainville Government to ransom. It’s also opened a window for opportunists like Lindsay Semple and consultants like Tony Regan.
PMALA chairman Lawrence Daveona (pictured) told the PNG Post-Courier on 16 July that “PMALA will emphasise and ensure that all discussions and consultations on Panguna between parties are extensive and meaningful, that they are better coordinated, that there is regular and continuing consultation with the national government and BCL, and that ABG provides adequate support in resources and capacity to the landowners in order that they participate effectively.”
Somehow Daveona became the leader of PMALA early this year. It is said that most people in PMALA did not want him to be chairman but some sharp politics around an election at Dapera village got him there.
It all goes back to traditional kinship leadership, family power conflicts and a family feud involving Daveona that led to the Bougainville Crisis in 1988.
Francis Ona was son of the damasiong or third mother; whilst Lawrence Daveona comes from the iomara or first mother. Francis Ona’s family line was suppressed by Lawrence Daveona’s iomara. The civil war ensued as Ona went on to lead the Bougainville Revolutionary Army.
Still today, conciliation attempts have gone nowhere and the old culture of suppression is back in force. The damasiong has no power and no voice in decision-making in the Panguna re-opening negotiations. All its vocal leaders are dead.
Within PMALA, other landowner leaders say that without Lawrence Daveona the Panguna mine negotiations would have progressed. But they have hit a stalemate and become a financial burden on the cash strapped Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG). Daveona is also said to have abused the official ethics of PMALA.
In August 2013 Daveona signed a deal with Chinese firm Beijing Aerospace Great Wall Mineral Investment Ltd without consulting the ABG but with the knowledge of Central Bougainville MP and PNG Communications Minister, Jimmy Miringtoro.
This sparked outrage in the ABG and it is claimed the deal is to mine the tailings under the guise of agricultural development in Bougainville.
But Lawrence Daveona, in an article LO Chairman speaks out (Post- Courier, 19 August), strongly defended his action as a way for Bougainville to make money out of the mine tailings through waste management and agricultural programs.
But many Bougainvilleans are saying that Daveona and Miringtoro have opened the door to reckless economic parasites who will never give Bougainvilleans a chance to learn and develop self-reliance as an independent state.
The rank and file of PMALA believe Daveona is not administratively ethical in his position as chairman. It is said he has being lured here and there to sign deals initiated by opportunists coming to Bougainville with law and order still not well established.
In October 2013, Daveona signed a memorandum of understanding with the Central Bougainville Veterans Association and the controversial Bougainville Resource Owners Representative Committee.
This Committee is engineered by popular opportunist Lindsay Semple who came to Bougainville as Invincible Resources Inc around 2005 and failed. He now operates Morumbi Resources and is said to be trying desperately to hijack PMALA.
This MoU was for these organisations to work together to direct ABG to create a mining bill that is totally new and changes the old exploitative Bougainville Copper Mining Act of 1967.
However, this merger has come into the spotlight because of its link to the Resource Capacity Building Assistance Agreement of 2006 and the Bougainville Resources Development Corporation designed by the then ABG and Lindsay Semple to grant 70% of Bougainville’s resources to Lindsay Semple. This deal was later revoked by ABG members.
Daveona’s recent behaviour has been noted as unusual and he has said to have been seen drinking in the middle of high level meetings.
It is said that he is painting a negative image of PMALA in the eyes of the people and foreigners and that he must be changed.
17.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
AusAID supplies water to rural Bougainville
By Stephanie Elija
Years of climbing up and down a 20 meter high cliff to fetch fresh water is no longer a risk that the 2000 plus people of remote Sinkodo village of Bana District in South Bougainville will have to take.
This is thanks to the people of Australia through Australian AID and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) who in a joint project, built for the people of Sinkodo, a water supply that has water pipes laid over six kilometers of mountainous terrain.
This simple but effective water supply system has women and children accessing water right at their door step rather than having to balance 20 litter containers of water on their backside while climbing the 20meter high cliff that the isolated village of Sinkodo sits on.
ABG senior technical officer with the Division of Technical Services Mathew Barua said the project has not improved the community’s living standard but has also prevented the risk of women and children falling to their death which was a regular occurrence.
He said although the project took more than two years to complete due to the challenging nature of the project environment, the smiles of appreciation shown by the beneficiaries of the project when they first turned on their water tap was worth the challenges.
Mr Barua urged the community to take ownership and be responsible for the water supply project facilities.
He also announced that the second phase of the AusAID and ABG jointly funded development project would see the current water supply system extended to Bana High School and also to generate hydro-electricity in the community and the building of two foot bridges.
Phase two is expected to start in February next year.
16.11.2013
Source: EMTV
Remote AROB Head Teacher Needs Honest Board Members
A teacher of a remote school in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville has appealed to parents and citizens to elect good board of management members, who can manage well the schools affairs.
Saint Francis Xavier Manetai Primary School Head Teacher, Benedicta Tetuat said that the board of management plays a vital role in the schools operational plan.
Saint Francis Xavier Primary School is a Catholic agency school, located at Manetai, Kieta District in Central Bougainville.
It’s been one of those forgotten schools in the remote areas of Papua New Guinea.
The school is run by seven staff and enrolls one hundred and eighty nine students from grades three to eight.
Benedicta Tetuat is the new head teacher of this school and comes from the Gazelle District of East New Britain.
Miss Tetuat made this comments in relation to the subsidy funds, non-release; since the second quarter of this year.
She revealed the board of management never acquitted these funds.
Although with no authority in place, teachers and students are still able to run the show.
However, Tetuat said parents and citizens are unhelpful.
Several projects that haven’t been implemented include the school’s library and sports facilities.
Meanwhile, several people in the community disconnected the television cable used for broadcasts lessons after they were angry for not watching the rugby league.
Miss Tetuat also told EMTV News, the television set was removed from the school and with the board chairman.
16.11.2013
Source: PNG Attitude
Consultation funds hijacked as Meekamui leader turns reckless
by LEONARD FONG ROKA
PEOPLE IN THE PANGUNA and Upper-Tailings special mining leases of Bougainville have demanded that Meekamui gang leader Moses Pipiro apologise and explain why he and his followers terrorised them and allegedly stole consultation funds.
As Panguna mine re-opening negotiations continue, the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) mining department planned a Bougainville-wide consultation to unearth public opinion on the mine, widely considered to be the catalyst of the Bougainville crisis during the 1990s.
In the Panguna District, the special mining lease leaders proposed to the ABG that Panguna was a special case where people were directly affected and so ABG should consult directly with village people.
The ABG subsequently allocated funding of K10,000 that was equally distributed to key villages for catering for attendees and facilitators. The program was to kick off on 7 October in Ioro 1 village when the ABG team arrived from Buka.
However, a commotion over funding for Dapera village attracted Moses Pipiro (pictured and his gang of opportunists. Pipiro asked Chris Uma’s Meekamui-manned Morgan Junction Checkpoint to deny the ABG team access which they did.
According to special mining lease leaders, Pipiro had been empowered by the September BRA-Meekamui reconciliation in Panguna since when he and his gang of armed robbers have allegedly undermined civil order in the Panguna area.
On the day of the consultations in Ioro 1, Pipiro delivered false information to combatants in Arawa and Morgan Junction that the ABG team heading for Panguna was coming to talk about the re-opening the mine and must be denied access to Panguna.
After disseminating this disinformation, he and his gang allegedly drove to Ioro 1 and grabbed the funds at gunpoint. Then they drove to four other villages and took the money after displaying their weapons.
One special mining lease leader said such criminal activities were only possible because the ABG was not honouring the chain of command from itself to Panguna landowner groups and down to the people.
He said this allowed opportunists like Moses Pipiro, who is not a landowner of any mine affected area, to undertake his activities.
After the news broke of what he had done, Pipiro attempted to deliver the stolen funds to Chris Uma’s Meekamui group at Morgan Checkpoint but they refused to take the ill-gotten money.
The terrorised people have now petitioned so-called Meekamui general Moses Pipiro to come forward and explain why he did his deed and where he spent the money.
16.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ABG President and friends after dinner last night.
15.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Bougainville drops from production leadership.
By Aloysius Laukai
Bougainville has dropped from being one of the leading producers of Cocoa in the country.
This was revealed by the CCRI Bougainville Manager, Peter Nnelau at the closing of the one week Cocoa small holder's and business management workshop in Buka this afternoon.
15.11.2013
Source: Islands Business
Just who are they arming themselves against?
Arms smuggling on the rise
By Alfred Sasako
Before he was dethroned in November 2012, Prime Minister Danny Philip flagged with Australia the idea that Canberra considers building a refugee processing centre in Solomon Islands. His choice for the facility was Sterling Island in the Shortland Group in the nation’s far north, closer to the Bougainville border.
The sea border between Solomon Islands and its northern island neighbour of Bougainville has been notorious for alleged arms smuggling activities and cross border raids by Papua New Guinea’s military in pursuit of the so-called Bougainville rebels. Philip’s idea was that the facility would serve as a one-stop shop, first as an offshore processing centre for refugees wanting to enter Australia and secondly, as a customs and immigration outpost for Solomon Islands to cater for those trying to enter the country via Bougainville. Most importantly, it will serve as the surveillance centre for any illegal activities in the area. As for staffing, it will be jointly manned by Australian and Solomon Islands personnel. Underlying the proposal was the need to keep the fragile peace in Solomon Islands alive given that the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) was then scaling down its presence in Solomon Islands. As of July this year, the military component of RAMSI has been totally disbanded. This has created a vacuum, raising community fears that the so-called ethnic tension could flare up once again. Philip’s fear was that arms and drug smugglers could capitalise on the vacuum created by RAMSI’s departure. Australia, under the Labor Government, reportedly rejected the proposal outright, perhaps of the cost implications. There is no indication the present Liberal-National Coalition Government in Canberra would think any differently should it be presented with the proposal again. It is not clear either whether the present Honiara administration of Gordon Darcy Lilo would dust up the proposal and take it up with Canberra. Either way, it appears Philip’s fears are coming to pass. Today, there are reports that arm smuggling activities are on the rise. But unlike in the past when Bougainville nationals were allegedly involved, there’s been a change in terms of the players. “Yes, the arms and ammunitions still originate from Bougainville, but this time the vendors are Solomon Islanders,” one source familiar with the activity told me. “The most frightening thing about it all is that the illegal arms trafficking is being linked to the missing millions in royalty payments to landowners of the Gold Ridge mine,” the source said. “Someone out there is buying,” the source said. It’s been widely publicised that up to SB$18 million (about US$2.5 million) in royalty payments to landowners and the Guadalcanal Provincial Government have been siphoned off by private individuals. Police investigation into the matter appears to have stalled. Customary landowners of Gold Ridge mine, Solomon Islands’ only commercial gold mine located about 30km east of the capital, Honiara, have not received their share of the royalty payments totalling some SB$14 million. “This money or part of it is being allegedly used to buy arms and ammunitions being smuggled across the border from Bougainville,” the source said. An internal inquiry has established that senior public servants dealing with the payments had departed from laid-down procedures, resulting in the money being paid into private accounts. The disappearance of the royalty payments has angered the customary landowners. So much so that they’ve decided to invade the mine’s pits at night digging for gold and selling them in the open market to recover their loss. “There are serious allegations that funds from the missing royalty payments are being used to buy arms and ammunitions coming through from Bougainville. And it is Solomon Islanders that are doing this. It is no longer Bougainvilleans,” the source said. Others said this could simply be an arrangement where Solomon Islands nationals are being used as agents on a commission basis. “Using Solomon Islands nationals is intended to lessen the risks of being caught,” the source said. There is anecdotal evidence that arms smuggling activities have intensified with those involved getting bolder. A former senior public servant from the Shortlands told me of an incident involving a large consignment of arms and ammunitions mid-year. “A motorised canoe from Western Province came all the way to Honiara. It then went up the Alligator Creek and stopped at a point not far from Honiara International Airport where it offloaded its cargo,” the informer said. “It seems the trip was pre-arranged,” he said. There is anecdotal evidence too which points to the alleged use of royalty payment money in arms smuggling activities. Take for example two people who were accused of siphoning some of the funds from the royalty payment. “They used up SB$7 million (about US$1 million) in just three weeks. Now, what can you spend that kind of money on in such a short time?” sources close to the duo said. “Yes, perhaps one can spend that kind of money investing in properties, but how many properties in Honiara can fetch a million-dollar price especially at a time when the market is flat since RAMSI’s pull-out last July?” the sources said. Apart from the local buyers, there is allegation that an external intelligence organisation is also buying arms in the black market. “This intelligence organisation is buying simply as part of evidence gathering for security briefing purposes,” the source said. Other information suggests that some Asians are also involved in the gun smuggling trade. One in particular is allegedly storing a large cache of weaponry in Honiara. Although authorities have been tipped about the businessman’s activities, police have yet to take any action. The Asian individual is said to have strong political connections. Given that guns stolen from the Rove Police Headquarters armoury in 2001 still remain in the hands of ex-militants and reports of arm smuggling make the fragile peace in Solomon Islands look even more fragile. Because however it is viewed, the various pieces of information pieced together in this article make for a frightening scenario indeed.
15.11.2013
Source: PNG Attitude
Mood strengthens against Asian business proliferation in Bougainville
DAVID LORNIE | Bougainville Bureau Chief | PNG Post-Courier
THE LOOTING OF AN ASIAN-OWNED warehouse in Arawa recently sent a strong message that Bougainvilleans are still willing to take action to protect their interests.
And it further confirmed that the ex-combatants who led the raid are still a significant force in the Bougainville political landscape.
The incident was also a reminder that, despite significant progress, the Bougainville peace process is a complex and delicate one.
It is generally agreed that the Autonomous Bougainville Government is doing a fine job in bringing all parties to the peace table. Bougainville is benefitting as a result. Wounds are being healed and the future looks bright.
But incidents like the one in Arawa indicate that the voice of the grassroots Bougainvilleans needs to be heard. Prior to the looting, Arawa locals had issued warnings that they would not tolerate Asians, and other foreigners, operating small to medium businesses that can be run by local Bougainvilleans.
Further north, the feeling on the streets of Buka town is one of intense dissatisfaction with the current Asian business presence. Buka is a peaceful place where people are able to safely walk the streets at night But the small town is filled with Asian shops and over the past few months Chinese businesspeople have been violently targetted by heavily armed citizens.
The properties accommodating Asians are easy to identify – they are the only ones in Buka with barred windows and high security fences. Bekut Jail, 40 minutes away on the Buka Ring Road, is far less fortified.
Locally run businesses say they are suffering due to the proliferation of Asian traders in town. They are not happy with what they see as Asians taking revenue away from them. This revenue, they say, does not get circulated in the community – instead, it is remitted back to China.
The way the Asians are seen to conduct business does not fit well with local sensibilities and culture. There is also the matter of immigration and labour laws. It has been suggested that some Asian business operators are simply not in compliance.
Antipathy towards Asian commerce in PNG is not, of course, unique to Bougainville. In 2010 there were race riots and looting of Asian shops in the Highlands and coastal cities including Port Moresby.
15.11.2013
Source: PNG Exposed
AusAID adviser to ABG has financial links to Rio Tinto
Ex-combatants on Bougainville have expressed their dissatisfaction with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, its leaders and advisors over the public consultation process on new Mining laws and re-opening the Panguna mine. Particular criticism has been made of Professor Ciaran O’Faircheallaigh, who ex-combatants perceive as acting in the interests of Rio Tinto.
The ex-combatants may have a point!
Professor Ciaran O’Faircheallaigh takes “substantial” amounts of money from Rio Tinto to conduct research – while at the same time advising landowners and the ABG on mine negotiations with Rio Tinto.
Is this a conflict of interest?
This was revealed on New Matilda earlier this year:
“O’Faircheallaigh’s appointment [as an ABG adviser] was trumpeted in an upbeat announcement on Griffith University’s website in September 2011:
“The last time the Bougainville Copper Mine was open, a civil war broke out in Papua New Guinea. This time help is at hand to re-open one of the world’s largest open-pit mines with the assistance of Griffith’s Department of Politics and Public Policy Professor Ciaran O’Faircheallaigh. Professor O’Faircheallaigh has twice been contracted through Coffey International [AusAID service provider] to examine mineral policy options and start preparations for negotiations.”
“Absent from this media release – pithily titled “Griffith academic negotiates a mine field” – is mention of O’Faircheallaigh’s close association with the research project at the epicentre of a recent controversy involving Marcia Langton and her Boyer Lectures… Along with Langton, O’Faircheallaigh is a chief investigator on the $480,000 study, which is part bankrolled by Santos ($45,000), Woodside ($30,000), and perhaps most controversially, given O’Faircheallaigh’s role on Bougainville, Rio Tinto (Rio’s support is for an undisclosed amount, but on the project’s website it is described as “substantial financial assistance”)”.
We don’t know how much AusAID is paying O’Faircheallaigh for assisting the ABG and landowners – he is contracted via Coffey International and they do not disclose the particulars of their AusAID deals – nevertheless, public disclosure information from Griffin University, suggests it must involve serious sums of money.
Throughout PNG, Asian shops and trade stores are commonplace. This has caused discontent and distrust from locals who believe business opportunities are being taken from them.
But, in Arawa, a town on the mend and experiencing a mini-economic boom, all businesses - including several well-run wholesale outlets - are owned by Bougainvilleans. When a group of Asians set up a wholesale business in recent times there was instant talk of kicking them out. That talk quickly evolved into action and the business was looted then run out of town.
Prior to the Bougainville Crisis, there was a significant Chinese business presence in the region. The authors of the 2010 book Reconciliation and Architectures of Commitment interviewed people in Buka who told them “one of the positives of the war was the flight of Chinese from running the shops of the old Chinatowns.
“It was clear the indigenous management of these shops was seen as a form of progress that Bougainville would not step back from”.
Although the Asians in the recent Arawa incident appear to have complied with the requisite laws – and, indeed, received the ABG's blessing – they did not receive the approval of the people on the ground. It is for this reason they were targeted.
It is important to note that the Bougainvillean people are not against foreign investment per se – they simply want certain businesses to be run by Bougainvilleans.
The ex-combatants, whilst desirous of – and working towards – peace in the land they shed blood for, have proven they will still stand up for what they believe is right. They have shown they will take action where they see it as necessary.
They, in a very real sense, still control the prevailing mood in Arawa town and surrounding areas.
Without doubt, the ex-combatants are still important powerbrokers in Central Bougainville and anyone wanting to do business in the area needs to acknowledge this fact.
15.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
INSURANCE OFFICE SETS IN BUKA
By Alex Munme
VEHICLE Owners and Victims of Traffic Road accidents will now no longer go very far to have their grievances dealt with in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
This is because the Motor Vehicle and Third Party Insurance will soon have an office established in Buka to deal with all traffic road accidents in the region.
Representative from the Kokopo Branch of the Motor Vehicle and Third Party Insurance Limited, Jenny Raia says administration and operation of the office will be carried out by the office and not the agent anymore.
Under the previous arrangement ABG performed the duties, met all costs and only received commission for the work done, however that will no longer be the case now, she says.
The office will operate independently from where the current traffic registry is in Buka town. She says under the new arrangement all registrations, Motor Vehicle and Third Party Insurance payments will be their responsibility.
She says any road accident claims that need to be settled must be submitted within six months from the time of the accident and should include a Police report, Health book treatment note, a medical report and a letter with the correct names and contact address.
The Insurance officer says that they will soon put up road safety bill boards to warn and minimize road accidents in the region.
15.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ABG HIT BY HEALTH ISSUES
By Alex Munme
FOUR Senior Members of the Autonomous Bougainville Government are currently going through healing processes due to various health issues affecting them in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The ABG President, John Momis is out of the region and is abroad as part of the healing process after losing his child and daughter while his Vice, Patrick Nisira is seeking medical treatment at the St. Mary’s Private Hospital in Port Moresby due to illness.
Minister for Works, Transport and BRADA and Member for Taonita/Tinputz, Carolus Ketsimur is very sick and is seeking medical treatment at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
Minister for Education and Member for Mahari, John Tabinaman is admitted to the Buka General Hospital for another serious health issue. He is there for more than a week now.
The four were not available for the November Parliament sitting of the Autonomous Bougainville Government this week in Buka.
ABG Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Miriki received their leave of absence from the house for the duration of the sitting before Parliament met to pass the draft policies on the Inward Investment Act and the Bougainville Education Act this week in Buka.
15.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ABG PASSES INWARD INVESTMENT BILL
By Alex Munme
THE Inward Investment Bill or the Bougainville Investment Law introduced by the Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry, WILFRED KOMBA has been passed and now becomes law in the Autonomous Government in Bougainville.
At a special Parliament sitting on Wednesday this week the bill was further debated on before being endorsed and made an act to be implemented by the Government.
All ABG Ministers and Members supported the bill before it was passed and became law to protect, promote and guide business investments in Bougainville but also raised concerns.
Some of these concerns are Environmental and Human safety, Foreign Investors banking accounts to be kept in the region while doing business in Bougainville for maximum tax benefits to the region, Tax enforcing authorities to comply with the law and tighten up their responsibilities to collect taxes and other responsibilities and stop current exploitation by foreign investors in Bougainville.
Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry, Wilfred Komba responded to the concerns raised before the bill was passed and became law in Bougainville.
The Minister said Environmental Bill will also be tabled next on the floor of Parliament to be debated and made law to address environmental issues.
Referring to the other concerns he said the reserve list was not included as it needs wider consultation before it can be added.
He added that Foreign Investors will now enter through the Bureau ABG will set up as the body to implement the law.
The Minister said those Foreigners who are already in the region will now have to comply with the law.
He added that under the Bougainville Constitution non Bougainvilleans who are married to a Bougainvillean is identified as a Bougainvillean at the time of referendum. This clause does not refer to doing business in Bougainville.
15.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
NO MORE BACKDOOR DEALS IN BOUGAINVILLE
By Alex Munme
“FOREIGNERS intending to come to do business in Bougainville without the approval of the Autonomous Bougainville Government will no longer do so starting today”
ABG Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry gave the stern warning in Parliament when responding to concerns during debate of the Inward Investment Bill which was passed and became law on Wednesday this week in Buka, Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
“As of today no foreigner will come to Bougainville to do business through any backdoor deals”, he said. He said they will have to comply with the law. “To make sure this will happen is very important for us and it is our priority”, he said.
The Minister said there will be no more exploitation, it is finished.
However, the draft Bougainville Mining and Transitional Arrangement Act was withdrawn to allow for further public consultations.
Meanwhile ABG Acting President, Albert Punghau released a press statement this week clarifying false and defamatory allegations against the ABG President, John Momis and the ABG by Sam Kaona on the Draft Mining Policy.
Mr. Kaona claimed that on October 15th , 2013 ABG President, John Momis instructed the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Andrew Miriki to introduce BCL/Regans third draft mining policy on the floor of Parliament and that they went ahead with the First reading and voted on it.
Mr. Punghau while defending the President and the ABG said the President gave no such instruction and there was no vote. He said in fact as most Bougainvilleans know he was in deep personal grief on 15th October due to a terrible personal loss, referring to the death of his daughter.
He further explained that the President unfortunately due to personal tragedy the day before could not be in Parliament. In his absence the acting Deputy Clerk got confused about the draft Mining Law because two other laws were being tabled for the purpose of first readings. He made a mistake and wrongly tabled the draft Mining Law for the first reading. Before anyone could correct the mistake, the Parliament adjourned to allow members to join him at the Haus Krai.
Mr. Punghau said the ABG Law aims to stop all backdoor deals that try to bypass the ABG.
15.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
CAP Success Story
By Aloysius Laukai
The Bougainville Community Auxiliary Program run by the NEW ZEALAND Police is definitely a success story on Bougainville.
This project was withdrawn in other parts of Papua New Guinea but this project continues to operate throughout Bougainville thanks to the dedicated New Zealand Police Advisers.
In the villages throughout Bougainville these CAPS continue to represent Law and Justice as the normal police service has not enough manpower and cannot fully cover the region.
Even Police parades in the Districts look professional as they are boosted by the CAP manpower that is in nearly all the villages.
Yesterday afternoon, the visiting New Zealand High Commissioner, Marion Crawshaw managed to address more than 30 CAPS at the Tinputz District Law and Justice Conference facility.
These CAPS were doing a one day training on Family violence and HIV with combined trainers from the Bougainville Police Service and the New Zealand Police advisors based in Buka.
The main issue addressed at this training was the Family Violence and HIV Aids which were issues that have been on the increase throughout the region.
Pictured are the Bougainville Police Service and New Zealand Police and the Tinputz District CAPS members at the Tinputz Station pose for this AL shot with the New Zealand High Commissioner.
14.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
PNG POWER KILLING BUSINESS IN BUKA.
By Aloysius Laukai
Small business houses in Buka town have gone broke since the PNG POWER in Buka developed engine problem and started Load Shedding which have since favored some whilst the rest have gone completely without power.
PNG power has not even come out to explain what is happening.
Most freezer goods stores have totally gone out of business and even big business will surely go down as the operation costs keep climbing.
No body even from the ABG has come out to make PNG POWER to explain why this is happening.
NEW DAWN FM has gone off since yesterday as we have totally missed out on this so called LOAD SHEDDING.
We however are able to update our FB page and our BLOG which we update daily.
14.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
HIGH COMMISSIONER VISITS ARAWA STORI HAUS
By Aloysius Laukai
The New Zealand High Commissioner, this morning visited the Bougainville Stori Haus a public library built by Lloyd Jones the author of the MR PIP book which was later filmed on Bougainville.
Inside the library
The public library was built within the Arawa Secondary School grounds in Arawa town.
Pictured here is the Librarian Philipa Robinson showing the High Commissioner the books in the library.
14.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ADMINISTRATION NEEDS FIXING SAYS SIRIOSI
By Stapanie Elijah
The Bougainville Administration has been described by its Acting Chief Administrator, Chris Siriosi as a ‘broken down’ vehicle that ‘needs fixing’.
“The Administration is a broken down vehicle. We need to find out what the problem is and fix it,” said Mr.Siriosi.
He stated this yesterday when he welcomed forty executive and district managers to a three day workshop on Strengthening Collaboration for Effective Service Delivery which is being facilitated by an economic policy advisor Dr.Nao Badu.
Mr Siriosi urged that the administrators, over the course of the workshop need to strategize ways to collaborate and improve service delivery to the people Bougainville.
Participants to the workshop were informed that since 2005, significant progress has been made in restoring government services in all parts of Bougainville.
But despite these achievements, many at the leadership and community level continue to express concern over many difficulties in receiving government services.
It was identified that the lack of an effective and efficient coordination and monitoring mechanism has resulted in serious breakdown of the governing administration systems and processes in the district management units.
The Bougainville Administration expects that at the end of the three day workshop on Strengthening collaboration and effective service delivery, a strategic framework would be developed outlining key areas of intervention to improve and strengthen governance and administration and effective service delivery in all districts.
14.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BOUGAINVILLE ADMINISTRATOR STEPS HIS FOOT DOWN ON CORRUPTION
By Aloysius Laukai
The Autonomous Bougainville Government is taking a firm stand on zero tolerance to corrupt practices in the governance system.
Bougainville Acting Chief Administrator Mr. Chris Siriosi said the Bougainville Administration will adopt a zero tolerance attitude to corrupt and irregular practices by public offices.
He said this in response to reports of widespread abuse of government funds in the districts of Bougainville.
“I hope this is not true but if it is true that there has been corrupt practices, be rest assured that I will not tolerate such behaviour, such practice and those of you who are found to have embezzled public monies, be rest assured that you will be dealt with accordingly,” said Mr.Siriosi.
He urged that any such practices being conducted must immediately stop.
The Acting Chief Administrator also said that his administration looks at 2014 as a year to concentrate on Rural Development which has been lacking in the previous years.
He made these remarks in Buka yesterday whilst addressing Chief Executive Officers and District Administrators of the Bougainville Administration.
Mr.Siriosi said the administrators need to work with the rural communities throughout Bougainville.
“We need to give them the opportunities to earn an income and not to rely solely on handouts from the government. The only way the administration can achieve this is to work with them through delivery programs of the government,” said Mr.Siriosi.
He highlighted some rural development opportunities such as growing cocoa, making sure that piggery and poultry projects are established, pineapple and rice farms.
“Overall, we have to give them an opportunity to earn a living.”
Mr.Siriosi urged the Bougainville administration executives to commit to ensuring the basic needs of the rural population of Bougainville are met by the Government of Bougainville.
14.11.2013
Source: Bougainville24
JPNCC brings mining transparency
On Wednesday 6 November the Joint Panguna Negotiation Coordination Committee (JPNCC) reconvened for its sixth meeting, this time held in Buka.
The JPNCC was established with the responsibility for obtaining information relevant to making transparent and educated decisions on the future of mining at Panguna.
This is a multi-faceted process that requires the examination of technical, social and environmental information.
Once all the necessary information has been researched and discussed the JPNCC will also be required to make recommendations as to an appropriate process for negotiations around the reopening of a mine at Panguna.
The JPNCC consists of representatives from the United Panguna Mine Affected Landowners Association (UPMALA), the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), the Government of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville Copper Limited.
14.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville needs more support from Aust
By DAVID LORNIE
THE co-author of an Australian special report on Bougainville says his country needs to increase its support to the Autonomous Region in the lead up to referendum.
Dr Karl Claxton of The Australian Strategic Policy Institute who co-authored the report with Institute Executive Director Peter Jennings, told this newspaper that “there are enough concerning signals to require a greater focus and more support with the referendum fast approaching”.
The Canberra analyst argues there are “differences in generational, gender, educational, cultural, economic and other aims and opportunities” in Bougainville. He also sees the existence of “strongly differing opinions about autonomy versus independence”.
Dr Claxton, however, recognises that “many painful lessons have been learned and I don’t see signs anyone is keen to return to violence”.
Dr Klaxton further stressed that “our aim in writing the paper certainly wasn’t to be alarmist, which would be unwarranted and unhelpful. At the same time (and again in terms of risk) while the likelihood of a return to violence doesn’t seem imminent, the consequences would be so severe if it did eventuate that it needs to be taken seriously”.
The special report suggests sensible and realistic ways for Australia to support Bougainville’s road to Referendum including capacity building, international advocacy and financial help.
“The intent isn’t to replicate a large intrusive RAMSI style mission but precisely to avoid the need to deploy such a mission five or ten years down the track,” Dr Claxton explained.
The report proposes enhanced Australian Federal Police support for the Bougainville constabulary and also for the Australian Defense Force (ADF) to “conduct low key activities in non-sensitive areas and where its presence would essentially be welcome by all stakeholders”. These activities would include building infrastructure.
Dr Claxton recognizes that the involvement of the ADF is a sensitive issue.
“It’s not just former rebel sensitivities, but also those of other stakeholders such as the PNG Government and anti-Independence Bougainvilleans that need to be taken into account—a tricky balancing act as the paper acknowledges,” said Dr Claxton.
“We feel an important aspect is to explicitly and genuinely not take sides on the final outcome, whether it be autonomy or independence, but rather to provide time, space, and a sense of hope that various positive outcomes are possible,” he said.
14.11.2013
Source: PNG Attitude
The Bougainville challenge: partnering for peace & prosperity
Bougainville 24, BEN JACKSON, spoke to DAME CAROL KIDU about her appointment earlier this year to the BCL Board. Here’s the transcript….
B24: Are there parts of your previous career you believe will be particularly useful in your role with BCL?
My career as a member of Parliament in Papua New Guinea for 15 years - as a Minister for nine years, a Shadow Minister for two years, a Committee Chairperson for three years and leader of the Opposition for one year - has developed knowledge, skills and capabilities that should be of intrinsic value for me as a Board member of BCL.
Perhaps a paramount skill needed for any Board member is the capability to negotiate opinions and contentious issues but accept and respect the confidentiality of a consensus decision. This skill, which can cause personal discomfit, was needed as member of the National Executive Committee.
My Ministerial background in community development and human rights and responsibilities provides the possibility for me to provide strategic advice for both the Board and the Foundation to align company community engagement and development programs with government social policies and legal frameworks thus assisting to strengthen the institutions of government.
Having served as an MP and Minister during the protracted peace agreements and having attended the initial peace ceremony and toured to various educational and economic development projects, I am privileged with background knowledge and experience of both the potentials and challenges that lie ahead for the ABG and thus for successful mine re-opening.
My background in promoting issues of gender equality and social inclusion, both through policy and practice, will be useful both in the Board and in the work of the Foundation. In addition my personal lived experience of the difficulties of the interface between tradition and modernity in a rapidly changing society should add value to my role as a Board member.
Before politics, my career was as a teacher and curriculum adviser and writer. I believe the multi-skilled requirement and communication skills needed in the teaching profession will be useful in my role as a BCL Board member.
B24: What has your membership of the BCL board entailed thus far?
As a new Board member, my work thus far has entailed a lot of listening and learning, both content and skills, to contribute meaningfully in a culture new to me – that of the corporate world. I consider myself fortunate to have become part of this world in an era that is driven by corporate social responsibility as well as by the desire to maximise profit.
I am still very aware of my lack of capacity to contribute meaningfully in terms of financial analysis but know that other Board members provide those required skills which I lack.
B24: What future activities do you see yourself being involved in as part of this role?
I see myself as being most effectively used as an adviser for the work of the Foundation as well as for the community engagement and community affairs division in the lead-up towards mine re-opening. I hope that I will also be able to facilitate increased and meaningful involvement of women in all aspects and levels of the mine re-development process.
B24: In general, what do you see as the role of mining and resource firms in Papua New Guinea?
The primary role of mining and resource firms in PNG is as the economic driver for development. Large economic resource projects potentially can provide a government with the financial resources to provide an acceptable standard of living for all its citizens as well as the resource owners. Whether this potential is reached or not depends on many complex variables.
B24: What has been the nature of your past involvement with Bougainville?
My past involvement with Bougainville has been as an observer/participant in peace ceremonies and as a Minister overseeing the facilitation of policy decentralisation and implementation of various social policies.
B24: Are there any guiding principles resource companies should bear in mind in their approach to mining in PNG?
Perhaps the basic guiding principle should be minimising harm to the environment and the people and communities in the area of the resource development and maximising the restorative processes as they become necessary. Aligned with this is the guiding principle of maximising consultations through community conversations methodologies in addition to landowner consultations.
Cognizant of the fact that Papua New Guinea can be “the land of the unexpected”, these [facilitated community conversations] should be part of an on-going process. Another guiding principle should be to “expect the unexpected” and anticipate possible responses to deal with the unexpected – that is, on-going risk analysis.
B24: What major considerations should BCL bear in mind in working towards resuming mining in Bougainville?
The major consideration should be learning from the past to create a better future for all stakeholders using inclusive strategies as much as is possible. It is important BCL and the people of Bougainville acknowledge that the old Panguna existed in a very different era. We need to analyse and accept the mistakes of that era, rectify them where possible and learn from them when creating the new Panguna.
BCL should also be mindful of the fact that the deadlines, time-frames and projected outputs/outcomes that are fundamental for success in the corporate world are foreign to the Melanesian world.
This disconnect should not be ignored and will require parallel initiatives that need to intersect – one based in productivity and one based in patient participatory partnerships. Without this approach, what might be seen as small irritants can fester to become major issues.
B24: If you had a message to the Bougainville people about the role of BCL in the future of their province, what would it be?
I would hope that the Bougainville people might see the role of BCL in the future of their province as an important partner to create prosperity and peace for the people of Bougainville by ensuring that the wealth from their non-renewable resources is wisely used and re-invested to ensure a sustainable future from their rich renewable resources and human capital.
13.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ARAWA HOSPITAL DOES ITS FIRST BLOOD TRANSFUSION
By Aloysius Laukai
The DR. in charge of the ARAWA HEALTH CENTRE, DR.JOE VILOSI says that since he moved to Arawa four weeks ago, the number of patients at the Arawa Health Centre have gone up.
He told New Dawn FM in Buka tonight that he was happy to see the people of Central and South Bougainville utilizing the service of the Health Centre again.
DR. VILOSI said that although services at the centre has improved, there is a need for the Bougainville Administration to advertise positions so that the manpower can be boosted to meet the demand.
He also said that currently the Health Centre has forty beds which is not enough and wants something done to increase the inpatients capacity.
DR.VILOSI said also highlighted one problem currently faced by the Centre as when following the National Health Guideline to provide free service, they do not have funds to pay for fuel for the Generator and transfer patients to Buka.
He said that although there is a problem with Electricity they managed to operate five patients today at the Centre and also did the blood transfusion.
DR. VILOSI also mentioned that their X Ray machine and others equipments have been serviced and are working at the moment.
He appealed for continued assistance from the ABG and the people and Friends of Arawa Hospital to make sure that the delivery of Health Service in Arawa is fully restored.
Pictured is DR. JOE VILOSI talking on Radio New Dawn on Bougainville Program
13.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Akoitai: Tell the truth about falling kina
THE Government’s reports that the depreciation of kina was due to increasing demand for foreign currency to make payments for the import of goods and services is misleading, says a former minister.
Former mining minister and Central Bougainville MP Sam Akoitai (pictured) said also that the Government’s report that the kina depreciation was also due to payments for the dividends as well as import demand for the Christmas festive season was also deceptive.
Mr Akoitai said the Govern-ment should have also included in its economic report that the decisions and policies of the Government also influenced the kina, specifically the takeover of Ok Tedi.
The businessman, who now sits on the boards of several mining companies, said he was irritated about the reports in the media about the explanation from the central bank on the reasons for the depreciation of Kina.
“Stop fooling the people of PNG,” Mr Akoitai said. Let’s tell the truth.
“The Government should not mislead the people of Papua New Guinea by saying that the depreciation of kina was due to import demand for the Christmas festive season.
“Let us not fool the people of PNG, who we think are still living in stone ages.
“Papua New Guineans must understand that it is not only the export and imports that influences the kina. What is important also is the seasons, the decisions and policies of the Government that influences the kina.
“My view is that this has happened when businesses are importing and exporting also because of the decision on the takeover of Ok Tedi.
“This devaluation came after the government made the decision to take over Ok Tedi.
“To say that the depreciation of the local currency was due to increasing demand for foreign currency to make payments for the import of goods, services and dividends as well as import demand for the Christmas festive season is total bull***,” Mr Akoitai said.
The Bank of Papua New Guinea last week released a statemen saying that the kina has depreciated by 13.0 per cent against the US dollar and 5.0 per cent against the Australian dollar between December 2012 and end of October 2013.
Following measures undertaken by the Bank of PNG in consultation with the commercial banks, the kina exchange rate has stabilised at around US$0.4140 for about four weeks, and is now at US$0.4130.
This, Mr Akoitai said was a big drop and suggested the Government looked back at the previous years to see and compare with today’s kina progress.
“It’s a big drop. It is really surprising to see the Government coming out with reports of depreciation of the kina,” Mr Akoitai said.
13.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville gets new tourism website
By ROMULUS MASIU
BOUGAINVILLE has a new tourism website which was launched yesterday by ABG Tourism chief executive officer Lawrence Belleh in Arawa. The tourism website will be known as bougainville.travel and will be accessed online on the web page www.bougainville.travel.com. Present at the Bougainville Haus Stori (public library) in the premises of Arawa Secondary School was the New Zealand Volunteer Services Abroad team led by Alison Turner and Tom Brosnan, the man behind the the website. The site is the official tourism hub for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and will feature the many unique tourism products such as tours, experiences, and accommodation, that Bougainville had to offer the adventurous traveller. Bougainville.travel is a joint project initiated by the Tourism Office of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the Central Bougainville Tourism Association (CBTA) and New Zealand organisation, Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA). Mr Belleh challenged all Bougainvilleans to take ownership of the website in order to bring in more tourists who can come and visit our place. Mr Belleh said the need for a new and improved Bougainville.travel website was recognised when the old Bougainville tourism website became outdated, and updates were not possible. A workshop was then help in Arawa, Central Bougainville, earlier this year to involve local stakeholders in planning the new website. “The workshop helped identify the types of tourism activities currently available in Bougainville, the potential markets for them, and the importance of having an online presence to promote tourism,” CBTA chairman Zhon Bosco Miriona said, adding that more training will be conducted for local people and organisations. Mr Miriona said Bougainville.travel is a vast improvement on the previous website. It uses a simple content management system, which means non-technical users will be able to easily update and modify the content, and add new content. Regional education Director Anita Salas who stood in for Central Bougainville Regional Commissioner James Koibo said Bougainville has massive potential as a tourism destination and the website will be a good tool for harnessing that – particularly following the recent international release of the movie Mr Pip. However, she supported Mr Miriona calling for more training into the usage of the website. She also called for a tourism officer to be based in Arawa. If you would like to list your tourism product on Bougainville.travel, please visit the website or email info@bougainville.travel for more information.
13.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Service Provider not Happy
By Aloysius Laukai in Arawa
The owner of SUNRISE GUEST HOUSE,NATHAN MIRINGTORO today called on the Autonomous Bougainville Government to settle outstanding bills incurred by officers' of the Bougainville Administration and the Executive government before the accounts close.
He told New Dawn Fm today in Arawa that he was reluctant to accommodate officers as the bills keep rising and this was not good for his business.
MR.Miringtoro said that the government preaches about user pay policy and does completely the opposite by dragging the payment of bills which are genuine and for services rendered already.
He questioned how does the government expect small businesses to survive when it keeps on denying their payment.
MR.Miringtoro said that cash was the blood needed by business houses to function and cutting off cash flow is surely killing the small business.
13.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Reporters on the road...
These are the people who made our coverage of the High Commissioner's trip into mainland Bougainville.
High Commissioners meets the Buin Secondary School Principal.
Picture of the Laluai river
Students of Buin Secondary School presenting their proposal to the High Commissioner
13.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Buin Secondary School Visit
By Aloysius Laukai
The New Zealand High Commissioner this morning visited Teachers and Students from the Buin Secondary School.
In her second visit to Buin Secondary School, High Commissioner, Marion Crawshaw praised the school for their tidiness in their appearance.
The school was at the assembly and in full uniform for the High Commissioner's visit this morning.
She encouraged the students to pursue education as only through education Bougainville can move forward.
Meanwhile, the School presented a request for the New Zealand government to assist with a School's administration Office.
The team then visited the Buin Administration And Medecins Sans Frontiers afterwards.
Refueling for another trip
The New Zealand High Commissioner this morning visited the Buin Secondary School and pictured was welcomed by the students at the School.
This is the border between Central and South Bougainville, LALUAI RIVER BRIDGE pictured are
Bougainville Police Service officer, CORNELLIUS POWA and New Zealand police officer, JOHN BUTSON on the way to Buin today.
Walking on the LALUAI bridge, HE Marion Crawshaw and New Zealand Police officer,Steve Caldwell.
13.11.2013
Source: PNG Attitude
Dame Carol on mining: let's learn from our past mistakes
by BOUGAINVILLE 24
Dame Carol KiduTHE ELECTION OF DAME CAROL KIDU to the Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) board in April 2013 was a clear indication of the company’s intent to learn from its past mistakes and push forward with a new approach to resource development in the Autonomous Province.
“The major consideration should be learning from the past to create a better future for all stakeholders using inclusive strategies,” said Dame Carol, who was appointed to the Board of BCL earlier this year.
“It is important for BCL and the people of Bougainville to acknowledge that the old Panguna existed in a very different era.
“We need to analyse the mistakes of that era, rectify them where possible and learn from them when creating the new Panguna.”
Dame Carol said that resource development was not the ultimate goal, but rather a means to a greater end.
“The primary role of mining and resource firms in PNG is as economic drivers of development,” she said.
“Large economic resource projects potentially give a government the financial resources to provide an acceptable standard of living for its citizens as well as the resource owners.
“The basic guiding principles should be minimising harm to the environment and the people and communities in the area of the resource development and maximising the restorative processes.”
There are few people as well versed in the challenges of social inclusion and cultural complexities in Melanesia as Dame Carol Kidu, and she hopes her vast experience can be utilised by BCL.
“My Ministerial background in community development and human rights provides me with the ability to provide strategic advice that will align company community engagement and development programs with government social policies,” Dame Carol said.
“I see myself as being most effectively used as an adviser for the work of the [Bougainville Copper] Foundation as well as in community engagement and community affairs in the lead-up towards mine re-opening.
“I also hope I will be able to facilitate increased and meaningful involvement of women in all aspects and levels of the mine re-development process.
“I hope the Bougainville people might see the role of BCL as an important partner to create prosperity and peace,” she said, “ensuring that the wealth from their non-renewable resources is used wisely and re-invested to ensure a sustainable future.”
12.11.2013
Source: Bougainville24
Dame Carol on-board to help BCL
The election of Dame Carol Kidu to the Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) board in April 2013 was a clear indication of the company’s intent to learn from its past mistakes and push forward with a new approach to resource development in the Autonomous Province.
“The major consideration should be learning from the past to create a better future for all stakeholders using inclusive strategies,” said Dame Carol, who was appointed to the Board of BCL earlier this year.
“It is important for BCL and the people of Bougainville to acknowledge that the old Panguna existed in a very different era.
“We need to analyse the mistakes of that era, rectify them where possible and learn from them when creating the new Panguna.”
Dame Carol said that resource development was not the ultimate goal, but rather a means to a greater end.
“The primary role of mining and resource firms in PNG is as economic drivers of development,” she said.
“Large economic resource projects potentially give a government the financial resources to provide an acceptable standard of living for its citizens as well as the resource owners.
“The basic guiding principles should be minimising harm to the environment and the people and communities in the area of the resource development and maximising the restorative processes.”
There are few people as well versed in the challenges of social inclusion and cultural complexities in Melanesia as Dame Carol Kidu, and she hopes her vast experience can be utilised by BCL.
“My Ministerial background in community development and human rights provides me with the ability to provide strategic advice that will align company community engagement and development programs with government social policies,” Dame Carol said.
“I see myself as being most effectively used as an adviser for the work of the [Bougainville Copper] Foundation as well as in community engagement and community affairs in the lead-up towards mine re-opening.
“I also hope I will be able to facilitate increased and meaningful involvement of women in all aspects and levels of the mine re-development process.
“I hope the Bougainville people might see the role of BCL as an important partner to create prosperity and peace,” she said, “ensuring that the wealth from their non-renewable resources is used wisely and re-invested to ensure a sustainable future.”
12.11.2013
Source: The National
ABG office in no hurry to push draft
THE office of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville President says it is committed to providing wider public consultations before it can endorse the draft mining law.
A statement yesterday by President John Momis said the ABG would continue consultations and it had no intention to push the draft law through Parliament quickly.
Momis was responding to a media release by Bougainville leader Sam Kauona last week that Momis and several ABG officials were desperately seeking support to endorse the draft law.
Kauona claimed Momis and his officers were targeting a hasty deal that involved Bougainville Copper Ltd’s return.
12.11.2013
Source: The National
NZ envoy visits Bougainville
NEW Zealand High Commissioner Marion Crawshaw is on a one-week visit to Bougainville.
She was met in Buka by three members of the National Parliament and Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) officials.
Head of the human resources divsion Puara Kamariki said Bougainville had been closely associated with New Zealand. Crawshaw (pictured) paid a courtesy call on the ABG Acting President Albert Punghau before travelling to Arawa.
She will visit Buin and the Tonu High School before returning to Buka.
12.11.2013
Source: PNG Attitude
Silent suicide: Illegal gold miners risk lives in Bougainville
by AXEL G. STURM | European Shareholders in Bougainville Copper
There are dangers in small scale alluvial miningTHE ISLAND OF BOUGAINVILLE is rich in precious assets and gold especially is in the focus of indigenous people who want to earn money by small scale mining. Unfortunately they are not aware that their new business is highly dangerous and can even be lethal.
Not far to the south, as Radio New Zealand International reports, Transparency Solomon Islands is urging the government to investigate claims that mercury is being used at the gold mine on Guadalcanal.
As in Solomon Islands the use of mercury is also the customary way to separate gold from rock in Bougainville. The gold is then sold to dealers who don’t care that Bougainville’s environment may be damaged for years. They also don’t care that Bougainvilleans may die from severe intoxication.
Such individuals, some of them so-called “former combatants”, are trying to undermine the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s honourable struggle to introduce modern environment-caring mining in Bougainville.
Only a few huge mining companies such as Rio Tinto or BHP Billiton are able to provide such sophisticated high-end technology. Quite obviously this means that money makers in the background will try to protect their dirty business at any price. In brief, they are simply thieves who steal from Mother Earth. And they don’t pay taxes either.
I reproduce here a scientific report on the use of mercury in small scale mining….
Small scale mining – one of the worst pollution problems
Introduction
Many gold deposits are too low in gold content nowadays to use efficiently the panning technique. Therefore, mercury amalgamation is used to extract gold from rocky ores after crushing them in mills. This method is often referred to as artisanal gold mining.
It is estimated that the world production of artisanal gold is 225 tons. One million persons are employed of which 40% are women. Only 20% of the artisanal gold produced is sold through official channels. For example: In Latin America, over 1 million artisanal gold miners produce between 115 and 190 tons of gold, emitting over 200 tons of mercury annually. Between 2 and 8 miners produce 1 kg of gold annually. Mercury is an effective, simple and very inexpensive reagent to extract gold (1kg of mercury costs 1 g of gold). The Netherlands and Germany are the main suppliers of mercury. It is estimated that the environment is polluted with more than 1 kg of mercury for every kg of gold produced.
Toxicity of mercury
Mercury (element with the symbol Hg) is a liquid metal at room temperature, which is or has been used in thermometers, electrical switches or relays and as amalgam material in dental restoration. One striking chemical property of mercury is the ability to dissolve many other metals such as gold or silver to form amalgams. Mercury is found on earth either as native metal (rare) or in cinnabar (HgS) and recovered from the latter by heating.
Mercury and most of its transformation products in human and the environment are extremely toxic and can cause severe chronic diseases such as kidney failure, arthritis, loss of memory, depression, hallucinations, suicidal tendency, respiratory failure and even death.
A serious industrial disaster was the dumping of mercury compounds into Minamata bay, Japan. It is estimated that over 3,000 people suffered various deformities, severe mercury poisoning symptoms or death from what became known as Minamata disease.
Exposure
Artisanal gold mining releases mercury which contributes significantly to the aspheric mercury deposition. When mercury is used in the amalgamation process with gold the heating of the amalgam releases high amount of mercury which are taken-up by inhalation.
The minors and their families and children are immediately exposed to the noxious vapors. Mercury, which enters into the water body, is rapidly transformed to the even more toxic methylmercury. Methylmercury can bio-accumulate into sediment organisms of streams, fish and the food chain.
Population living downstream of the mercury pollution source are continuously exposed to the toxic transformation products of mercury although they are not involved in artisanal gold mining.
Conclusion
Artisanal gold mining with mercury for small scale mining poses a high risk not only to the miners and their families but also causes long-term adverse effects to the environment and at different levels of the food chain. Not only people living along the contaminated side but also those living considerably far away from the mercury source are continuously exposed to toxic levels of mercury and its transformation products.
12.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
French couple inspired by "Mr Pip"
CHRISTIAN and Catherine de Langhe from France traveled all the way from Paris to Arawa just to get married in a traditional Nasioi marital ritual. The two engaged in a cultural wedding at Pidia village, home of the internationally acclaimed movie Mr Pip. The two were inspired by the movie and could not resist coming and exchanging their vows traditionally at Pidia village in the Kieta District of Central Bougainville. The couple is pictured at Pidia in full traditional attire hosted by the Pidia villagers led by paramount chief Francis Tibola and family. Picture: ZHON BOSCO MIRIONA. Words: ROMULUS MASIU
12.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
FIFA visits Buka
. . . to look at possible sites to build a technical training centre.
FIFA joint vice-president and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) president David Chung arrives in Buka today with FIFA head of Development Programs Lionel Loisel to look at possible sites to build a technical training centre.
Chung and Liosel who arrived in Port Moresby on Sunday also looked at the progress of the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) headquarters and academy in Lae yesterday before heading to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB).
Chung who is also the PNGFA president, said the presence of Loisel in PNG is a grand opportunity to showcase how FIFA funding has been spent on existing infrastructural development.
Ultimately we will show him our proposal and ask him to endorse funding under the ‘less privilege program’ for member associations of FIFA to support our direction into ‘war torn’ Bougainville, Chung said.
“The re-habilitation process in Bougainville will support PNGFA’s application to some extent,” he said.
“The aim now is important to recognize Bougainville’s capability to fulfill our obligations to FIFA,” Chung added.
Loisel is FIFA’s most influential person on implementing program funding around the world.
He said the PNGFA currently benefits from FIFA ‘Gold’ funding through the development of the academy in Lae and the New Guinea Islands training centre in Kimbe. Both are now benefitting through the second phase of infrastructure development. The academy is undergoing a major refurbishment while the training centre is being upgraded following a recent K2.2 million agreement signed with the West New Britain Provincial Government.
Chung said it is hoped that a similar agreement to Kimbe would be set in place where ongoing costs would be shared with the AROB government to get the pilot project off the ground.
He said Asian, Middle-East and African countries benefit from the less privileged grant initiative.
12.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
New Zealand High Commissioner, HE Marion Crawshaw, New Zealand Police Officer, Team Leader,Steve Calwell and Buin Police officer, John Popui at the Buin Police Station.
Pictured at Kangu Beach is the Chief Protocol PHILIP KIHA, HE Marion Crawshaw, and New Zealand Police officer John Butson
12.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
HIGH COMMISSIONER MEET BUSINESS COMMUNITY
By Aloysius Laukai
NEW ZEALAND HIGH COMMISSIONER MEETS ARAWA RESIDENTS
By Aloysius Laukai
The New Zealand High Commissioner HE MARION CRAWSHAW this morning met with the Arawa Administration officials and later met with the Business Community before travelling to Buin.
She will meet with the Executive Manager for Buin district on Wednesday13th October, 2013.
Later she will meet with New Zealand Police and Bougainville Police Service District Administrator then the UN Office, Medecins San Frontiers, BHCPP the overnight in Buin.
In her meeting with the Business Community, the Chairman, CHRIS DAMANA wanted Commerce officers to be stationed in Arawa so that they can assist Business houses on how they can be able to become tax compliant and pay taxes to the ABG.
He said that the Government cannot blame the Business Houses for not paying tax if it does not have officers in Arawa who can monitor and train Business houses to be tax compliant.
MR. DAMANA said that only then the Government can tax these Business houses.
The chairman of the Arawa Business Association said that his group are willing to pay taxes if they are trained to do simple book keeping and are supported.
He said many Business houses started after the crisis and the operators need to learn the nitty gritty of running Businesses.
Pictured are HE Marion Crawshaw, Anita Salas, Ms Tunim,Mathias Salas,Dickson Siparu,and Chris Damana.
12.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
New Zealand High Commissioner visits the Arawa Administration this morning.
By Aloysius Laukai
Pictured is the High Commissioner Crawshaw met by Anita Salas in Arawa.
11.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
NEW THREAT TO BOUGAINVILLE
By Aloysius Laukai
Small alluvial mining is good for the locals however the use of Chemicals such as mercury in the rivers inland is threatening the lives of Bougainvilleans.
Some months ago, New Dawn FM put a story that the use of Mercury was banned because of the damage it can cause on the environments and the human beings who feed in the food cycle system.
In a recent trip to Panguna this reporter took some pictures of women using syringes to pumb mercury to separate the various metal contents under their houses and this is very disturbing indeed.
We have some reports to support this story.
The Mercury Threat
Silent suicide -
Illegal artisanal gold miners risk the life of innocent Bougainvilleans!
The island of Bougainville is rich in precious assets: Especially gold is in the focus of indigenous people who want to earn some money by small scale mining.
Unfortunately they are not aware that their new “business” is highly dangerous and can even be mortal.
Reports from Alluvial Mining in the Solomon Islands have also been released on the dangerous operations that is endangering the lives of citizens.
In Bougainville more awareness is needed to make the people aware on the dangers of mercury.
11.11.2013
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Bougainville goes online to attract tourists
The film Mr Pip that's now playing in cinemas around the world is from the novel by New Zealand author Lloyd Jones and is set on Bougainville during the 10 year old civil war there.
But now, the fighting is over and people are working to rebuild the island, and that includes getting some tourism going.
Tourism authorities on Bougainville are launching an initiative today, aimed at selling the island to the world.
Bougainville will have its own website featuring the many tourist experiences the island has to offer.
Bougainville Tourism's chief executive Lawrence Belleh says one of their biggest drawcards is the friendliness of the locals.
Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speaker: Lawrence Belleh, CEO of Bougainville Tourism
LISTEN HERE !
BELLEH: Here in Bougainville, we are still the owners in the natural environment and everything that people will want to see, especially with the eco-tourism that is around here in Bougainville, and with the ABG and through the creation of the division of culture and tourism, they've created this division just to drive the culture and tourism that this still go in Bougainville and with the culture as well, the culture is still alive. So if people are willing to come to Bougainville, I'm saying that you're welcome to come into Bougainville, and see what we have which other countries in the world are also doing in terms of marketing and selling their countries as tourism destinations to the people of the world.
HILL: Well, what does Bougainville have that other countries don't have, what would attract people to Bougainville?
BELLEH: One, the first thing is the friendliness, the people of Bougainville, although much talk in the media focus on the ten-year conflict. The people here are very, very friendly which is the number one thing. You can walk in the streets during the night, unlike Moresby and Lae, where it is very, very difficult for you to walk in the night, because you might end up with something else. Anyway there's the friendliness. Number two, we have the environment that is still intact after the ten-year conflict and so many things like lakes, the mountains, the volcanoes that we have. You see crystal clear water everywhere. It's good for diving, snorkelling, swimming, fishing, including game fishing and so many other things you can do here in Bougainville, which other people of the world don't have.
HILL: One of the main reasons for the conflict on Bougainville is arguments over who got benefits from the big copper and gold mine at Panguna and we've all seen disputes over profits from economic ventures and landownership cause all sorts of problems all over the Pacific. Can tourism flourish on Bougainville and manage to avoid these kinds of arguments and jealousies?
BELLEH: One of the things that we are trying to avoid is reopen the mine and that's the sentiments we have here in especially the people of Panguna, where what they would like to do is to do tourism. They are very much inclined in the government, the ABG, reopening the mine, because of what they have experienced during the height of the crisis. So rebuilding their lives, they want to build it through eco-tourism and that's what the people have openly said with others that have come through.
There are forum states throughout the three regions of reopening the mine and talking to the owners and setting up the states to reopen the mine so that one of the things that we are doing is a poster, or post the reopening of the mine.
HILL: And obviously, tourism is a way of getting some income going without having to worry about the mine, that's certainly true.
With the film 'Mr Pip' being released around the world at the moment, that features English actor, Hugh Laurie, whose very famous for playing the character of Dr Gregory House, in the TV series. Do you expect there'll be a surge of interest from around the world in visiting Bougainville once people see it on the film?
BELLEH: Yes, happy, because the film was out here in Bougainville and the scenes that people are seeing, it's not you know that in a moive, you need to act out things that people have done, some of the actors and scenes that you see in the film 'Mr Pip' is actually the experiences that people have experienced during the height of the crisis. So with the film, it will attract a lot of people into Bougainville, so that that's where we come in, that's where the government and visitors is coming to prepare Bougainville for this influx of people that are coming. So we actually experiencing an influx now, whereby we have cruise ships that are coming in with people.
Last month, there was a cruise ship that came into Mission Island, Green Island and then it came all the way to Arawa, where I am now.
Then on the 25th of this month, there will be another cruise ship that's going to be landing in Buka, in the northern tip of Bougainville. So we'll see that there are so many things that are happening and because of the film, there are so many people now that are coming to see where the film actually took place. And with the people as well, there are facilities that people are now building, like guest houses.
11.11.2013
Source: ABC Radio Australia News
Bougainville developing its tourism sector after civil war
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville is hoping tourism will help it get back on its feet after a decade of civil war.
Tourism authorities on the island are launching an initiative aimed at selling the island to the world.
Bougainville also has a website featuring the many tourist experiences the island has to offer.
Lawrence Belleh, chief executive officer of Bougainville Tourism, told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat that the country has many attractions that will be a draw for tourists.
Audio: Lawrence Belleh speaks to Pacific Beat (ABC News)
"We have the still rawness in the natural environment and everything people would want to see especially with the ecotourism that is around here in Bougainville," he said.
"The people here are very, very friendly. You can walk in the streets during the night unlike Port Moresby."
Mr Belleh says the island's natural environment is still in tact after the 10-year conflict and is suitable for tourist activities.
"So many things like lakes, the mountains, the volcanos... you see crystal clear water everywhere, it's good for diving, snorkelling, swimming, fishing," he said.
There remains much wariness among the locals over reopening the copper and gold mine because of what they experienced at the height of the civil war.
The mine, which was one of the world's largest, was closed in 1989 after it caused the civil war on the island.
"One of the things we are trying to avoid is to reopen the mine and that's the sentiment that we have here especially the people of Panguna where what they would like to do is to do tourism," Mr Belleh said.
"Rebuilding their lives, they want to build it through ecotourism, that's what people have openly said."
A recently released film Mr Pip - which is set during Bougainville's civil war period - has also generated global interest in the island.
The movie is based on a novel by New Zealand author Lloyd Jones.
"Some of the actors and scenes you see in the film is actually the experiences people had experienced during the height of the crisis," Mr Belleh said.
The government is already seeing an increase in tourists and making room for them.
"There are so many things that are happening and because of the film, there are so many people now that are coming to see where the film actually took place," Mr Belleh said.
"With the people as well, there are facilities that people are now building like guest houses."
11.11.2013
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Bougainville reaction could flare up without proper attention
Bougainville's path to recovery from a decade of civil war has been a rocky one and there are fresh fears the situation in the resource-rich island could once again deteriorate.
Bougainville reaction could flare up without proper attention (Credit: ABC)
Locals say frustration over mining agreements and a perceived lack of development assistance from Papua New Guinea could see tensions boil over.
A report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute says the peace process is currently at risk and will worsen unless the Australian Government steps in.
But that idea isn't popular with some sectors of the island's community who believe Australia doesn't know what's best for Bougainville.
Presenter: Indira Moala reports
Speaker: Dr Karl Claxton, co-author of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute report
LISTEN HERE !
11.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
NO FUEL IN ARAWA
By Aloysius Laukai in Arawa.
The Town of Arawa is once again the noisiest town with Small Generators operating in all coners making disturbing noise pollution to the residents of the once prosperous and industrial town.
Accompanying the team to Arawa on our way to Buin in South Bougainville we will stay tonight in Arawa.
Reports gathered here was that the main Power has no fuel and also service stations can not meet the demand of fuel.
One Store owner said that Fuel only came last Wednesday and have all ran out in less than a week.
11.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Israel group visits Buka
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
THE Autonomous Region of Bougainville is looking forward to getting help from the government of Israel.
This followed the visit by the Israeli government’s regional counsellor to the Pacific region, Jonathan Zadka to Bougainville last Friday.
Mr Zadka, who is based at the Embassy of Israel in Canberra, Australia, was accompanied by David Shtengel from the Solid Environmental Solutions company in Israel. Mr Zadka’s trip was to foster relations and cooperation between the governments of Israel and Bougainville.
The visit was also a fact-finding mission to identify what assistance and services that Israel could offer to Bougainville, especially in the areas of education, health, telecommunication and infrastructural development.
Though this visit by Mr Zadka does not have direct link to the recent trip by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to Israel, it was part of the Israeli government’s mission to promote better relationships and cooperation with PNG and Bougainville.
Upon arriving in Buka, Mr Zadka paid a courtesy call to the acting President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Albert Punghau.
During their brief discussion, Mr Zadka was given a brief update on the current political status of Bougainville.
Mr Punghau, who is also the Minister for Finance, also revealed the ABG’s economic outlook on rebuilding Bougainville.
He said the Autonomous Bougainville Government would greatly appreciate any assistance that countries like Israel, Australian, New Zealand and others would provide towards the development of Bougainville.
During the leaders discussions, Mr Zadka conveyed the Israeli government’s condolence to President John Momis on the passing of his daughter, MaryCath last month.
Mr Zadka said he was also fortunate to have visited other government offices like health to seek first hand information on what assistance his country could provide to the island.
11.11.2013
Source: The National
PM invites China to invest in PNG
By BEATRICE BONAKOYA
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has welcomed Chinese investors interested in the development of oil and gas projects and the resource sector in the country.
He told the China-Pacific Island Countries forum in Guangzhou city, China last Friday that the country received substantial concessional loan funding from China for major development projects and was ready to welcome interests by Chinese investors in PNG.
“This concessional funding means we are able to do even more in meeting the growing infrastructure demands of a growing population and a growing economy,” he said.
He commended the Chinese government’s grant-in-aid committed to Pacific Island countries including PNG under its Economic Development Cooperation.
“This generous assistance supports the national development and community development agendas of our countries – and contributes to improving the living standards of our people,” he said.
O’Neill said investment links between the two countries had grown significantly in recent years through major projects such as the Ramu nickel project in Madang, in which China Corporation remained the major shareholder.
He said China was a major player in the first liquefied natural gas project, which would begin exporting in 12 to 15 months.
“In turn, we hope we can diversify our exports to China,” O’Neill said.
11.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
‘Tamatama’ treat
DAVID Perekai was caught at Panguna enjoying a hearty lunch of “tamatama”. This is a traditional dish delicacy made out of mashed taro, banana and cassava and topped off with heated fresh coconut cream. It is made specifically on big occasions and for visitors.
Words and Picture: ROMULUS MASIU
11.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Youths launch duck project
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
INSTEAD of waiting for the government to provide them with financial assistance, a youth group from Buka in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville decided to kick-start a agriculture project using whatever resources they had. This is because they have come to realise that it was better to earn their living through self-reliance and not to always beg for assistance from the government. The Rukutsinon Youth Group from Hapan village in the Peit constituency of Buka recently witnessed the launching of their duck project by the North Bougainville MP, Lauta Atoi. The launching, which took place last Wednesday, came about after three months of planning and construction of a small house for the ducks to use as shelter. Mr Atoi admired the initiative of the group in adopting the self-reliance mentality and pledged K20,000 to go towards completing this project. He said more financial support will be considered later depending on the success of this project. Mr Atoi also commended the leaders of the youth group for their self-reliance initiative and urged others to emulate this same approach. He said that people should always “stand out from the crowd” and be involved in projects that will bring benefits to them and their entire communities, instead of relying on free hand-outs from the government. After pledging his commitment, Mr Atoi told those who were present during the launching that he will only be allocating funds to groups like the Rukutsinon Youth Group who do not rely on the Government to start off their projects. “The days for hand-outs are over. If you do not do anything, you will also get nothing from me. You must first show me your interest before I can help you,” Mr Atoi said. “And I will only be allocating funds to those projects that I see that will benefit many people, and not personal oriented group,” he added. Mr Atoi stressed the importance of developing the agriculture sector as the revenue earned will contribute to Bougainville’s economic development. He also said Bougainville had to be financially independent. Without the economic developments taking place, the people should not be thinking of becoming politically independent, he said. Representatives of the youth group thanked Mr Atoi for his assistance, saying that they will ensure that this project becomes a success. They said the project will not only benefit them but the entire community. Apart from the duck project, the Rukutsinon Youth Group are also involved in a piggery project.
11.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Police Kills youth
By Aloysius Laukai in Arawa
Bana Police have shot a youth in Bana this morning after attempts to arrest law breakers turned nasty.
Arawa police told New Dawn Fm in Arawa that the incident happened as Police and South Bougainville veterans association were removing the brewing and consumption of home brew in the area .
Arawa Police commander Constable Vosivai told New Dawn Fm that a doctor from the Arawa Health Centre has gone to Biros village to carry out post Mortem on the body.
11.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
New Zealand High Commissioner Visit
By Aloysius Laukai
The New Zealand High Commissioner,to PNG, MARION CRAWSHAW arrived in Buka this morning for a week long visit to Bougainville.
On arrival in Buka she was met by Three members of the National Parliament and ABG officials.
In his welcome remarks, Head of the Human Resourses Divusion, Puara Kamariki said that Bougainville has been working with New Zealand and happy to welcome her to Bougainville on her first official visit to the Region.
She then made a curtesy call on the ABG acting president, Albert Punghau before travelling to Arawa.
The High Commissioner overnights in Arawa tonight and will travel to Buin tomorrow.
She will also visit Tonu High School before returning to Buka then back to Port Moresby on Saturday.
High Commissioner, CRAWSHAW said that as they always say get out of Port Moresby and whilst in Buka she must also get out of Buka and visit out stations.
11.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
NZ In Buka
By Aloysius Laukai
New Zealand High Commissioner to PNG He Marion Crawshaw arrived in Buka today for a week long visit to the region.
She is met by the ABG chief of protocol, Philiph Kiha at the Buka Airport this morning.
10.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
New Bougainville tourism website being launched
Movie goers keen to check out for themselves the stunning scenery that features in the film Mr Pip will soon have a new resource to help them plan a trip to Bougainville.
Bougainville’s new tourism website will be available online from November 11 at www.bougainville.travel
The site is the official tourism hub for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and features the many unique tourism products, such as tours, experiences and accommodation, that Bougainville has to offer the adventurous traveller.
Bougainville.travel is a joint project initiated by the Tourism Office of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the Central Bougainville Tourism Association, and New Zealand organisation, Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA).
VSA volunteer Tom Brosnan says the need for a new and improved Bougainville.travel website was recognised when the old Bougainville tourism website became outdated, and updates were not possible. A workshop was then help in Arawa, Central Bougainville, earlier this year to involve local stakeholders in planning the new website.
“The workshop helped identify the types of tourism activities currently available in Bougainville, the potential markets for them, and the importance of having an online presence to promote tourism.”
Mr Brosan says Bougainville.travel is a vast improvement on the previous website. It uses a simple content management system, which means non-technical users will be able to easily update and modify the content, and add new content.
He says Bougainville has massive potential as a tourism destination and the website will be a good tool for harnessing that – particularly following the recent international release of the movie Mr Pip, which was shot in Pidia village and stars Bougainville teenager Xzannjah Matsi in one of the lead roles.
“Bougainville looks stunning in the movie. It’s a beautiful and rugged island with huge potential for tourism, and people who’re keen to find out more will be able to check out Bougainville.travel to plan a trip here.”
10.11.2013
Source: PNG Attitude | The Strategist
Australia’s Bougainville challenge: aligning aid, trade & diplomacy
PETER JENNINGS & KARL CLAXTON
A DECADE AFTER the successful peacekeeping mission, and a year and a half before the window opens for a referendum on Bougainville’s political status, the peace process is dangerously adrift.
The pathbreaking unarmed regional peace effort, begun by New Zealand in late-1997 and led by Australia from early 1998 to mid-2003, is cited as a model of innovative and flexible peacemaking. It ensured large-scale fighting didn’t resume and it bought time to prepare for an orderly political settlement.
Sadly, those preparations have been insufficient to ensure a workable and sustainable political outcome. The Papua New Guinea Government, donors, neighbours and officials on Bougainville have failed to build the capacity the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) requires to remediate the causes of the earlier conflict.
Although there have been positive developments, most indicators are far from encouraging as the mid-2015 to 2020 window for a referendum approaches. Misunderstandings between Port Moresby and the ABG remain, while economic imperatives to resume mining as the only realistic basis for autonomy or independence add new pressures.
Unemployment among young men, damage to social, economic, and physical infrastructure and strong pro- and anti-independence views persist in different areas. At the moment the most likely referendum outcome is a clear-cut but far from unanimous vote for independence, which PNG is likely to refuse to ratify. That’s an outcome that Bougainville is unprepared for, and would be destabilising.
Although the risk of renewed conflict is fundamentally a challenge for PNG and the ABG to manage, Australia has a major stake too. Even if a PNG–ABG stand-off didn’t lead to violence, it would squeeze Australia uncomfortably between impulses to accept the results of a peace process we sponsored and the imperative to stand by the more influential partner, PNG.
Our interests would be even sharper if violence re-emerges, given our strategic, business and reputational stake in PNG, potential for disorder to spread, public opinion and our security partners’ expectations.
But a re-intervention after mid-2015 could be much larger and more costly—closer to the more complex missions in Solomon Islands or even Timor-Leste—than the limited effort appropriate from 1997-2003. Military aspects of those later interventions cost $350 million and $4.3 billion, respectively, while ten years on we’re still spending $125 million annually on post-conflict reconstruction in Solomon Islands via a scaled-down RAMSI. Renewed violence would also present a more dangerous peacemaking environment than that of 1997-98.
The new Government’s decision to more closely align Australia’s foreign, development, and trade efforts to advance specific interests as well as poverty-reduction could assist. An Australian-led development effort to assist Bougainville is needed to forestall another peacekeeping mission.
While this initiative would require greater investment (Bougainville’s current share of PNG aid isn’t much higher than its proportion of the population) such an effort could make up crucial lost ground in areas such as public safety, community awareness and legal, business and administrative capacity.
This categorically wouldn’t seek to replicate the RAMSI-style shadow government necessary following the collapse of governance in the Solomons. Rather, it’d forestall the need for an intrusive re-intervention. While dialogue between Port Moresby and the ABG has increased a bit and Australian assistance was starting to rise under AusAID, a much more concerted pre-referendum focus is required and must be coordinated with regional partners. Australian elements would include:
establishing a high-priority task force to lead the implementation of a strategy for Bougainville
tripling development assistance to Bougainville from within current aid funding (to around $100 million a year, with offsets from outside PNG’s aid program)
an emphasis on training the ABG, particularly by Australians willing to mentor the Bougainville Public Service under the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan
enhanced Australian Federal Police support for the Bougainville Police
initiating low-key defence contributions to rebuilding efforts
international advocacy (including through Australia’s temporary UNSC seat)
particularly encouraging Pacific island nations’ involvement in a regional solution
a strong focus on empowering female and community voices for peace
supporting a closer and more sustained dialogue within PNG.
While PNG sovereignty concerns and some continuing Bougainvillean suspicions about Australia’s motives would need to be handled sensitively, this should be manageable given all sides’ strong interest in preserving peace. Neither autonomy nor independence would be an outcome which would necessarily ensure or exclude the possibility of violence.
The essential requirement is that the referendum process is conducted reasonably smoothly, is seen to be legitimate (requiring realistic options to choose between meaningful autonomy or independence), and that all parties can live with the result.
Bougainville presents potential risks and rewards for the new government, but the greatest risks are from Canberra’s inactivity. Alternatively, the rewards for taking a proactive approach are potentially high. Australia has an opportunity to show that we can do more than ‘send in the troops’—that we have the nous and resources to avert the need for military intervention through concerted whole-of-government action to create the conditions for lasting peace.
In many ways this would be the missing conclusion to the story of Pacific stabilisation operations begun by the Howard government in Bougainville in 1998. Preventive diplomatic action conducted in close cooperation with our regional partners would establish Australia’s credentials as a peacemaker when the region could use calm and far-sighted leadership.
Peter Jennings is executive director and Karl Claxton is an analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Image: Australian Civil-MilitaryCentre
09.11.2013
Source: ESBC
The Mercury Threat
Silent suicide -
Illegal artisanal gold miners risk the life of innocent Bougainvilleans!
The island of Bougainville is rich in precious assets: Especially gold is in the focus of indigenous people who want to earn some money by small scale mining.
Unfortunately they are not aware that their new “business” is highly dangerous and can even be mortal! On the nearby Solomon Islands (SI) Transparency Solomon Islands is actually urging the government to investigate claims that mercury is being used at the gold mine on Guadalcanal as Radio New Zealand International reports.
As in Solomon Islands the use of mercury is the customary way to separate gold from the rocks in Bougainville as well. This gold is then sold to scrupulous dealers who don’t care that Bougainville’s environment may be damaged for years. They also don’t even care if Bougainvilleans may die from severe intoxication.
Such criminal individuals, some of them are so called “former combatants”, are trying to undermine the ABG’s honourable struggle to re-implement modern environmental caring mining on Bougainville. Only a few huge mining companies such as Rio Tinto or BHP Billiton are able to provide such sophisticated high-end technology. Quite obviously these mean money makers in the background try to protect their dirty business at any price. Brief: They are simply thefts who steal from mother earth. And they don’t pay taxes either.
Read here a scientific report on the use of mercury in small scale mining and find out all about the mercury related fatal dangers:
Small scale mining – one of the worst pollution problems
Introduction
Many gold deposits are too low in gold content nowadays to use efficiently the panning technique. Therefore, mercury amalgamation is used to extract gold from rocky ores after crushing them in mills. This method is often referred to as artisanal gold mining.
It is estimated that the world production of artisanal gold is 225 tons. One million persons are employed of which 40% are women. Only 20% of the artisanal gold produced is sold through official channels. For example: In Latin America, over 1 million artisanal gold miners produce between 115 and 190 tons of gold, emitting over 200 tons of mercury annually. Between 2 and 8 miners produce 1 kg of gold annually. Mercury is an effective, simple and very inexpensive reagent to extract gold (1kg of mercury costs 1 g of gold). The Netherlands and Germany are the main suppliers of mercury. It is estimated that the environment is polluted with more than 1 kg of mercury for every kg of gold produced.
Toxicity of mercury
Mercury (element with the symbol Hg) is a liquid metal at room temperature, which is or has been used in thermometers, electrical switches or relays and as amalgam material in dental restoration. One striking chemical property of mercury is the ability to dissolve many other metals such as gold or silver to form amalgams. Mercury is found on earth either as native metal (rare) or in cinnabar (HgS) and recovered from the latter by heating.
Mercury and most of its transformation products in human and the environment are extremely toxic and can cause severe chronic diseases such as kidney failure, arthritis, loss of memory, depression, hallucinations, suicidal tendency, respiratory failure and even death.
A serious industrial disaster was the dumping of mercury compounds into Minamata bay, Japan. It is estimated that over 3,000 people suffered various deformities, severe mercury poisoning symptoms or death from what became known as Minamata disease.
Exposure
Artisanal gold mining releases mercury which contributes significantly to the aspheric mercury deposition. When mercury is used in the amalgamation process with gold the heating of the amalgam releases high amount of mercury which are taken-up by inhalation. The minors and their families and children are immediately exposed to the noxious vapors. Mercury, which enters into the water body, is rapidly transformed to the even more toxic methylmercury. Methylmercury can bio-accumulate into sediment organisms of streams, fish and the food chain.
Population living downstream of the mercury pollution source are continuously exposed to the toxic transformation products of mercury although they are not involved in artisanal gold mining.
Conclusion
Artisanal gold mining with mercury for small scale mining poses a high risk not only to the miners and their families but also causes long-term adverse effects to the environment and at different levels of the food chain. Not only people living along the contaminated side but also those living considerably far away from the mercury source are continuously exposed to toxic levels of mercury and its transformation products.
09.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
GO OUT AND CAMPAIGN SAYS MANU
By Aloysius Laukai
The Acting Bougainville Electoral Commissioner, GEORGE MANU sent 38 candidates to go out and campaign for the ABG By election.
He made these remarks at the close of nominations at the BEL ISI PARK yesterday afternoon.
MR. MANU called on the candidates to make good campaigns and not to make personal attacks on other fellow candidates during their campaign and that is until Tuesday the 3rd of December, 2013 when polling will commence.
He said that Polling will end on Thursday December 12th, 2013 and that he would return the writs to the ABG Speaker on Thursday 19th, December 2013.
The Acting Electoral Commissioner for Bougainville also wished all the 38 candidates good luck in their attempt to become members of the ABG House of Representatives.
09.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
PUNGHAU HAPPY WITH ISRAEL VISIT
By Aloysius Laukai
The ABG Minister for Finance, Treasury and Planning and Acting President, ALBERT PUNGHAU today welcomed the Regional Counsellor to the PACIFIC ISLANDS at the Embassy of Israel, JONATHAN ZADKA to Bougainville.
He said that Bougainville recognizes ISRAEL as one of a very small but powerful countries in the world and was happy to work with the Government and the people of Israel in some areas which the ABG can identify as priority areas.
MR. PUNGHAU made these comments at the ABG President’s office this afternoon when welcoming MR. ZADKA who made a official courtesy call to the office of the ABG President.
He also thanked the Regional member, JOE LERA for arranging this important visit for the Israeli Government official.
MR. PUNGHAU said that PNG and Bougainville were like ISRAEL as Christian countries who believe that JESUS CHRIST born in Israel was the saviour of this world.
He said that Bougainville will work with the Regional member to make sure collaboration between the two countries can bring some tangible developments to Bougainville.
09.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ZADKA HAPPY TO VISIT BOUGAINVILLE
By Aloysius Laukai
The Regional Counsellor to the Pacific Islands at the Embassy of ISRAEL based in Canberra, JONATHAN ZADKA on his first visit to Bougainville said that he was happy to visit Bougainville.
Speaking to reporters after his arrival, he said that he would be looking at four areas in his one day visit to Bougainville.
The key areas of interest are, Education, Health, Telecommunication and infrastructure.
He said that other areas would be looked at if there is time and depending on request from local authorities.
MR. ZADKA was met at the airport by the ABG Government officials and the Regional member, JOE LERA who accompanied the team from Port Moresby.
He attended a Press conference with the media at the airport before making a courtesy call to the Acting President, ALBERT PUNGHAU.
The Israeli team later met with the Bougainville Administration officials.
He returns to Port Moresby tomorrow.
09.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ISRAEL COUNSEL VISITS BOUGAINVILLE
By Aloysius Laukai
The Regional Counsellor to the Pacific Islands at the Embassy of ISRAEL based in Canberra, Australia, JONATHAN ZADKA arrived in Bougainville today for a four day tour of PAPUA NEW GUINEA that includes one day in Bougainville.
MR.JONATHAN ZADKA was welcomed by the ABG Minister for Community Development, MELCHIOR DARE and the Regional member for Bougainville who accompanied the team from Port Moresby.
In his welcome address at the Buka airport, the ABG Minister for Community Development, MELCHIOR DARE said that Bougainville was rising from the ashes of war and needs the support of developed countries to stand on its feet again.
MR. DARE said that partnership in development was important and that the ABG is committed to working with countries that are interested in the development of the region.
Meanwhile, the Regional member, JOE LERA also welcomed the Counsellor to Bougainville and also thanked ISRAEL for donating Diabetic medicines and equipments to the Buka hospital last month.
He said that he was also happy to work with his government to identify areas that can be developed through collaboration between Israel and Bougainville.
08.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Visit from Israel
Israel Counsel to PNG and Pacific States Jonathan Zadka arrives in Buka
Picture of Melchior Dare.Jonathan Zadka,Joe Lera and David Shetengel at the Buka airport.
08.11.2013
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Massive declination of Sago Trees in Autonomous Region of Bouganville
Scientists from the National Agriculture Research Institue in Papua New Guinea have confirmed a massive decline of sago trees (pictured) in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The scientists believe that the decline is caused by an insect called Endemic Weevil. NARI Principal Scientist Dr. Toshiro Shigaki says this disease will slowly wipe away the sago trees if prevention measures are not taken. He says he will meet with the officers from the Department of Primary Industry's to inform the local people about the disease and also will discuss with them about the ways of prevention. The meeting will be at Arawa on the 21st of this month.
Presenter: Jack Tame
Dr Toshiro Shigaki from NARI in Papua New Guinea
LISTEN HERE !
08.11.2013
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Bougainville conflict could flare up without proper attention
Australia and other regional countries need to pay careful attention to Bougainville, to avoid a conflict there erupting again.
That's the warning from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, which has just released a paper called "A Stitch In Time: Preserving Peace On Bougainville". A devastating ten year long war on the mineral-rich island was only brought to an end after an extensive peace process led by the then New Zealand foreign minister, Don McKinnon.
Presenter: Bruce Hill
co-author of the paper, Dr Karl Claxton from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute
LISTEN HERE !
08.11.2013
Source: ABC Radio Australia
Warnings Bougainville peace ontheverge of collapse
There are warnings peace in Bougainville will collapse if the Australian Government doesn't lead a new development effort.
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute says economic investment is required to prevent further
civil unrest.
ASPI's Peter Jennings says Bougainville remains a deeply divided society with the risk of
substantial violence continuing.
"In an economic sense, it's very parlous," he said.
"The Island has really seen little or no economic development in the decade since the peace
agreement came into effect."
Thousands of people were killed during civil conflict in Bougainville in the late 1980s and the
1990s.
Australia led a peacekeeping mission to the Island in 1998 and stayed there for five years.
A new ASPI report says another peacekeeping mission will be needed unless Canberra helps
get Bougainville back on a sustainable path.
"The island is in deep poverty," Mr Jennings said.
"A bit of active diplomacy now and a significant increase in development assistance could actually help to lay the foundations to stop that violence resuming."
The ASPI report is proposing a tripling in aid to the Island, taking the total assistance to just over $AU100 million.
But with Australia scaling back its aid budget that appears unlikely.
"Bougainville has gone off the radar over the last few years, but it is something the Australian Government needs to bring back onto the agenda," Mr Jennings said.
Bougainville is situated between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, and is run by the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
A referendum on the independence of Bougainville is due between 2015 and 2020.
Mr Jennings says there's wildly varying opinions on which way the referendum will go.
"There's a very risky difference of expectation on the part of Port Moresby and the Islanders about what's likely to happen in the referendum on independence," he said.
"I think Port Moresby expects that the Island will choose to stay with PNG.
"It's more than likely that a majority of Islanders might choose for independence.
"Managing that mismatch of expectations is one of the big challenges we face in coming years."
08.11.2013
Source: The National
Classes start after closure
CLASSES at the Bishop Wade Technical Secondary School in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville were expected to resumed yesterday.
Classes were suspended recently following the killing of a student at Kavex village, near the school.
Police said the victim, identified as John Kikina, was a Grade 12 student at the school and was killed following a confrontation at Kavex village with a person police were still trying to identify.
The school was shut down and students sent home after fears of retaliation by the victim’s relatives.
The school board of governors met earlier this week and made an appeal to teachers and students to return to school.
08.11.2013
Source: Bougainville24
Initiatives extended for investment security
After several successful years of operation under the Bougainville Peace Agreement, the Autonomous Bougainville Government is expanding its initiatives to restore Bougainville’s prosperity.
These initiatives include promotion of rapid, broad based and sustainable economic development.
The ABG has helped lift the region out of its years of civil war through improved security which is fostering the public desire for investment and sustainable development so Bougainville can build the structures needed for fiscal self reliance.
The preferred approach is for locally registered joint ventures where natural resources are involved, to ensure resources are controlled by local citizens and organisations.
08.11.2013
Source: Papua New Guinea Mine Watch
Momis and Rio Tinto accused of trying to hijack Bougainville mining law
In a stringing public attack, Bougainville President John Momis has been accused of colluding with mining giant Rio Tinto to bulldoze into law a new Mining Act that would pave the way for the re-opening of the Panguna mine.
Twenty five years ago the environmental damage caused by the mine led to a civil war in which as many as fifteen thousand people lost their lives. Rio Tinto has never apologized or paid any compensation for the pollution or the terrible human costs of its mine.
Bougainville leader Sam Kauona has today published a two page article in the national press presenting his stinging criticism of Momis and Rio Tinto - The Regan/BCL political assault on Bougainville emerges from the shadows.
Kauona says Momis has acted unconstitutionally in trying to bulldoze a new mining law, drafted by Rio Tinto subsidiary Bougainville Copper and Australian academic Anthony Regan, through the Bougainville Parliament without public consultation.
This is the third draft of the Mining law. Two earlier versions were rejected by the public because they gave too much control of mineral rights and mining decisions to Momis and the politicians.
Kauona says there is now a tidal wave of public opposition on Bougainville to the reopening of the Panguna mine and Momis, Rio Tinto and Regan are desperately trying to swim against the current by seizing control of decision making.
Kauona says many Bougainvillians are puzzled as to why the man they elected President and “who for 40 years jumped up and down and led the opposition to the Bougainville Copper Act” is now the “key sponsor, apologist, supporter and cheerleader for BCL”.
Kauona says the latest draft of the Mining law allows Rio Tinto through BCL to retain its lease over Panguna “as if nothing happened”.
“Nothing happened? Bougainville knows that a war happened and up to 15,000 people died including PNG Defence Force Members. The Bougainville Copper Act was a direct cause of the war”.
Kauona asks what rewards Momis and Regan might have been promised in the future for their assistance to Rio Tinto over the new law? As a possible answer, he points a finger at the way BHP has provided for ex-PNG Prime Minister Mekere Morauta since he left office after providing the company with immunity for the environmental damage its Ok Tedi mine caused in Western Province. Some murky links between Regan, ANU, AusAID and Rio Tinto have already been revealed.
The first draft Mining law was rejected by the public after it was exposed that Momis’s claims the law was a world first in the rights it gave to local people to decide whether to allow mining on their land were untrue and the law vested final decision making powers with the government.
However promises that the law would be redrafted to take account of the public views have proved to be false and, says Kauona, the latest draft law (which has not been made public) is just a reiteration of the first draft – which is why it has been brought in to Parliament via the back door.
Kauona says the new draft, which has been written by “rich white lawyers” would drag Bougainville back to the Colonial era by denying landowners any rights in relation to mining, effectively stealing the ground out from under their feet.
Kauona’s article comes on the same day an Australian think-tank has warned the Australian government it could have to provide a new military intervention on Bougainville in a few years as the island could again descend into violence.
ESBC: Once again Papua New Guinea Mine Watch takes pride in promoting former terrorist Sam Kauona who tries to spread uncertainty in the region. Amongst others Kauona is the spearhead of Australo-Canadian dubious business man Lindsay Semple from Morumbi Resources Inc. (formerly Invincible Resources).
08.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Civil servants urged to perform well
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
THE Acting Chief Administrator of the Bougainville Administration, Chris Siriosi, is calling on all public servants in Bougainville to effectively perform their duties and responsibilities.
Since his elevation to this top position in early September, Mr Siriosi has been directing the chief executive officers of all administrative divisions in the headquarter to challenge their officers to improve on their performances.
Mr Siriosi, who is the chief executive officer of the Division of Law and Justice before being appointed this top position, met with the executive managers of the districts in Bougainville.
Their discussions were based on the importance of improving their work performances.
Mr Siriosi stressed to the managers that the delivery of services to the people of Bougainville was far from satisfactory.
Mr Siriosi also stressed the importance of transparency and accountability that officers in the districts should adhere to.
He said many reports have been received from people regarding many issues including abuse, embezzlement, misuse of government property and lack of work attendance by officers based in the districts.
He also updated the managers on his plan to start up an entity that will be monitoring the operations in the districts on a regular basis.
This entity, which would begin carrying out its duties during the commencement of work next year, will be monitoring and evaluating the performances in the districts in terms of the capability and effectiveness of service delivery.
The performances of all public servants in the districts, including teachers, would be thoroughly monitored and those found to have failed in carrying out their responsibilities will be held accountable for their ineffectiveness.
The top public servant also announced that this entity will also be conducting audits on manpower, projects, assets and other issues of importance to make sure that there is transparency and accountability by officers who have control over government properties and the delivery of government services in the districts.
Mr Siriosi has decided to undertake such initiatives with the aim of improving service delivery to the people.
He has also been very vocal on the effectiveness of public servants.
08.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Island sound
In any celebrations or big occasions gathering you won’t miss the typical Buin five-key stringband music with its hilarious island string sound and melodies. The music is accompanied by dancing black beauties from the southern tip of Bougainville. Pictured are Buin 5-key Stringband members from Baubake COE belting out a favourite song titled ‘Ogoi Rat Murugeina.’ Words, picture: ROMULUS MASIU
08.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Mr Pip opens with rave reviews
By Alexander Rheeney in Brisbane
THE New Zealand-produced movie Mr Pip has opened in Australia to rave reviews with film critics praising the cast and urging Australian moviegoers to go and watch it.
The movie based on a novel by award-winning author Lloyd Jones was set in the autonomous region of Bougainville in the 1990s and revolves around the life of expatriate teacher Mr Watts (Hugh Laurie) and his student Matilda (Xzannjah Matsi) with the Bougainville Crisis as the background.
Mr Watts’ introduction of the Charles Dickens novel Great Expectations in his class takes Matilda on an imaginary journey that intertwines with cruelty and death caused by PNG Defence Force soldiers and culminates with her reunion with her Australia-based father.
“Too good to ignore – the performances are brace and soulful,” wrote Cara Nash from FilmInk, one of Australia’s best film magazines.
Louise Keller from Urban Cinefile, an Australian online movie magazine, wrote: “An involving drama with well-developed characters, humour, light and shade and an emotional cannonball at its core. Take a tissue – this is a film that touches the heart.”
Susan Wyndhma, the literary editor at the Sydney Morning Herald, asked moviegoers to go and watch the movie.
“I urge you to go. A song of praise for the power (and danger) of literature,” she stated.
One of the world’s best film blogging sites, Salty Popcorn, gave the movie a 4.5 out of 5 star rating while Nick Dent from the Sunday Telegraph said it had a 4 star rating.
However, the mixture of somewhat heavy literature characters set against the Bougainville conflict did not go down well with respected Australian movie critic David Stratton.
He lamented what he described as a “reduced impact” of Ms Matsi in the movie though he and colleague critic Margaret Pomeranz praised her for being natural in her maiden movie role.
“The clashing moods are jarring and tend to reduce the impact of young Xzannjah’s winningly unaffected performance as Matilda,” he added.
08.11.2013
Source: ABC TV Australia Network
Changing lives: Edwina Betts for AusAID on Bougainville
08.11.2013
Source: Herald Sun
Help Bougainville or risk new unrest: ASPI
AUSTRALIA must ramp up aid to Bougainville Island or risk the return of local civil unrest that could result in a more costly military response, a think tank says.
Island dwellers will vote on independence from Papua New Guinea in a referendum expected to be held between 2015 and 2020.
But if PNG declined to ratify the result, Bougainville could descend into a conflict like the bloody unrest of 1988-97, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) warns.
Special report authors, ASPI executive director Peter Jennings and analyst Karl Claxton, say Australia has a significant interest in stability in the region to its north.
"If a new generation slides into bloodshed on Bougainville, Canberra couldn't wait a decade for a military stalemate to reappear before intervening," ASPI says.
This could cost as much as operations in East Timor ($4.3 billion) and the Solomons ($350 million).
"Australia should lead a new international assistance effort to avoid the need for another military intervention," ASPI said.
This would include additional aid funding, development and police training and defence assistance.
The new coalition federal government has pledged to cut $4.5 billion from the foreign aid budget over the next four years.
Bougainville, with a population of about 175,000, became a province of PNG on independence in 1975.
In 1988, landowner disaffection and rise of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army sparked widespread unrest that approached civil war.
Under a 1998 ceasefire, Australia led a 300-member peace monitoring group.
The 2001 Arawa Peace Agreement ended hostilities and in 2005 the first Autonomous Bougainville Government was elected, with PNG agreeing to a referendum on independence.
More than $250 million in Australian money has gone towards reconstruction on Bougainville since 1997.
08.11.2013
Source: PNG Attitude
I am home: Bougainville is my freedom country
LEONARD FONG ROKA
THE MOMENT THE Air Niugini flight came to a halt in front of Buka airport terminal at 11am on 24 October, I rushed out of the sitting bird and was quickly sucked up by a gust of peace and freedom.
I was now in the safe house of the Solomon Sea and my ancestor’s world of the Solomon archipelago that has nourished my people since time immemorial. I was in my freedom land, Bougainville, away from fear and harassment from Papua New Guinean street thugs and their scanning evil eyes on the dusty and dirty streets of Madang. I was free.
I waited around the airport for final checks by the security and then darted out of the humid terminal into an ocean of welcoming smiles from the black men and women, the citizens of the true nation of Bougainville in the northern Solomons.
I took off to Kamarau beach in Buka township and entered a takeaway kaibar owned by a fellow South Bougainvillean from Siwai, Thomas. Here a shop assistant asked: ‘Are you the writer from Panguna?’
All I gave back was a smile and a nod for ‘yes’.
“Welcome back to Bougainville.” Everywhere in Buka Town I went was a smile and not the evil eyes I am always alert to when in New Guinea or Papua land. The eyes that always scan pockets looking for phone, money and other valuables to pickpocket in broad daylight.
My Bougainville is an ethnically, culturally and geographically part of the Solomon archipelago which the Anglo-French Convention of 1899 decanted into the territory of German New Guinea. Since then my island and people have been subjected to indoctrination, exploitation and genocide by colonisers and the PNG government and people.
One of our prominent politicians, Martin Miriori, wrote in his essay, Do or Die (1992): “Bougainville and its people were a free independence gift by Australia to Papua New Guinea”. This is not a debatable fact. My elders experienced it and I am seeing it today.
We were denied rights to self determination from the early 1960s by the colonial administration simply because our Solomon Island of Bougainville was the money tree to build this country Papua New Guinea that our epistemological myths never knew existed.
Australian miner Bougainville Copper Limited and the PNG government operated the mine on my land in Panguna giving us absolutely no chance to have a say on the land God did gave us and placed us on.
They took all the money and gave us million tonnes of waste a day. This operated until 1989 when my people could no longer endure the merciless destruction of our land and lives and decided to engage in violence against their violation of our true nation, Bougainville.
Poor leadership then made us suffer but we walked out of that and are learning from the mistakes we have made over the years.
Thus, every time when I return to my Bougainville, there is change. My people are change adaptive and oriented as we showed to the world by surviving the shameless and brutal PNG blockade of our island after 1990.
Yes, we made it through and, with our innovations, survived PNG’s desire to kill us and take ownership of our island and its wealth.
Feeling satisfied and after wandering around my Buka town, I crossed the mighty Buka Passage at lunch time and landed my weary stockman boots at Kokopau town on the northern tip of Bougainville. There my relatives from Topinang village in the hinterland of Arawa were waiting for me and welcomed me.
They took my bag and placed it into the transport, gave me drinks and escorted me for a tour of the latest developments of dusty Kokopau Town.
Tears of joy and fought to escape. This is my Bougainville, where I—a Panguna man—have relatives everywhere I go. Our progenitors blessed us greatly with a kinship system that stretches far and wide.
By one o’clock the order to depart came and I was in the 10-seater land cruiser heading south towards central Bougainville.
Coconut palms danced and cocoa trees swayed welcome to my soul. Bougainvilleans on the roadside waved their black arms to the joy of my heart, bringing more tears running down my cheeks.
I was home; I was in paradise of Solomon; I was on the largest island of the Solomon chain.
I watched the mountains pass by and the rivers brawling their way to the Solomon Sea under the bridges built by the Japanese people.
By four o’clock we raced into Arawa under a light, blessing shower of rain. My people bothered me not for they were rushing home for the night and I was free and at home in Arawa.
07.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
HUTJENA SECONDARY SCHOOL HOLDS GRADUATION
By Alex Munme
HUTJENA Secondary School held its Graduation Ceremony today in Buka in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The 43rd and 14th graduation for the grades 10 and 12 students respectively attracted parents, guardians, public servants, businessmen and women and the general public as a whole.
Speeches made up the first half of the graduation ceremony sandwiched with students and teachers item performances while presentations of certificates, awards and prizes followed.
The students received their grades 10 and 12 school certificates while special academic awards were presented to many for their outstanding academic performances.
The grade 10 dux of the year special academic award prize was given to Daniel Mavi while Thomasina Kameren and Quintin Nukuitu shared the grade 12 dux award.
Prizes for academic performances were sponsored by the Bougainville Business Community, New Zealand Police and Individuals.
Hutjena Secondary School Board of Governors thanked the Bougainville Business Community, New Zealand Police and the Individuals and Families for sponsoring prizes for the students.
Hutjena Secondary School 2013 Grade Ten Dux being Congratulated by the ABG Member for Bolave Lawrence Wakai
07.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
FOUR SIT FOR EXAMS WITH OTHER GRADE EIGHT STUDENTS
By ALEX MUNME
FOUR Students from International Education Agency or IEA Kamarau International School sat for the Grade Eight Basic Education Examinations with other students last week in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The four are Jamillah Cheung, Richard Harepa, Dwayne Kili and Luana Tumark.
Richard Harepa and Dwayne Kili were enrolled at the School when the school was established in 2004.
A total of 14 Students from Kamarau has set for the grade eight exams since 2009 including the four students this year.
They joined 82 students from Hahela Primary School and 70 from Malasang Primary School in the Tsitalato Constituency on Buka Island and the rest of the Bougainville grade eight students who sat for the examinations this week throughout the region.
The Basic Education Examinations cover Language Paper 1, Numeracy, Combine Subjects including Community Living, Environmental Studies, Health, Arts and Physical Education and Literacy Paper 2.
One hundred percent marks from these external exams will contribute to their grading for continuity into Secondary Education next year.
Meanwhile, IEA Kamarau International School enrolls students for multi grade teaching and start with Early Childhood and Prep grades, Grades one, two and three, and grades five, six, seven and eight students.
Classes are taught according to themes at different levels for five weeks each term yearly.
The school teaches the New South Wales Curriculum in the lower grades and the PNG Curriculum for their grades seven and eight classes.
07.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
YOUTH COORDINATOR WANTS COMMERCIAL FISH FARMING
By Alex Munme
Establishing any project is one task and selling the products or produce to generate income to sustain the operation and cut down on issues affecting youth is another issue.
That was the concern raised by Namatoa Youth Coordinator, Cletus Kavalel in Buka today.
Mr. Kavalel said with the Care PNGs Village Strengthening Projects they are able to process proposals for projects to address issues affecting youth in the Namatoa area of Tinputz District.
Some of these issues are teenage pregnancies, drug and home brew, lack of income generating avenues and many more.
Due to the influx of Cocoa Pod Borer they are not benefiting from cocoa which was once the main source of income and are going into fish farming due to the geographical features of the environment.
Youth from the area are going into Inland Fish Farming with the help from their ABG Member, Micah Mose who paid K500 as 10 percent of the total project cost.
Mr. Kavalel wants the project to be commercialized so that they can sell fish from the project to earn an income and not produce drug and homebrew to sustain their lives.
The project is in progress however, they want to commercialize it in order to constantly generate income to help the youth in the area.
He said Rice farming was another project introduced to the area but due to lack of management skills the project failed to continue.
07.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
COMMUNITY CITIZEN SUPPORTS BYE ELECTIONS AND COMMENTS ON ABG
By Alex Munme
A COMMUNITY Citizen of Buka Town while supporting the ABG Bye Elections has appealed to the intending candidates and the sitting Members not to leave the ABG to contest the National Elections once elected.
Francis Loio made the comment today in Buka.
He also said the elected Constituency Members are required to go to their people and inform them on what is happening and where the people are in terms of developments.
Mr. Loio also made a comment on Bougainville Public Service which comes under the responsibility of the Chief Administrator. He said the Chief Administrator should make sure divisional heads are directed to make sure Public Servants carry out their duties properly.
He further commented on Political Leaders interfering with the ABG Administration headed by the Chief Administration, adding that ABG Members are policy makers.
The Citizen also said the use of Government vehicles should be restricted from public and family members. He also questioned why Government vehicles are fitted with tinted class or dark glass as the vehicles are public property and their use should be transparent.
07.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
FORMER ABG MEMBERS STAND AGAIN
By Aloysius Laukai
Four former ABG members have nominated to contest in the 2013 ABG By Election.
They are former member for RAU THOMAS KERIRI who was a member in the first ABG House from 2005 to 2010 and lost to the late JOSEPH EGILIO in 2010.
The former member for LULE, JOSEPH KINANI was a member in the first ABG House and lost in 2010 to the late PAUL MITU.
They have both nominated for their former seats.
Other two were also members and Ministers in the first house, they won again in 2010 but did not get ministries under the Momis/Nisira government.
They resigned to contest the 2012 National Elections but lost again.
They are the former member for HAGOGOHE on Buka island, ROBERT HAMAL SAWA and the member for KONGARA, DOMINIC ITTA.
They have also nominated for their former seats.
Nominations for the ABG By election closed at 4pm this afternoon.
07.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Nomination closes
By Aloysius Laukai
A total of 38 candidates have nominated to contest the five seats in the ABG by election at close of nominations this afternoon.
The LULE constituency in Buin, South Bougainville has 10 candidates whilst RAU has 8,HAGOGOHE has 7, PEIT has 10 and KONGARA has only 3 candidates.
LULE has ISABEL BETA,TONY KIATA,SIMON MOATSI,JOSEPH KAIMA KINANI,PAUL KAREPA KUMMA,PETER KUGUNIA DIOU,PAUL KONEANA, JOSEPH KANGKI NABUAI and PAUL LUGAKEI LORUGAGI and PAUL MOROKANA.
The Rau seat in Wakunai has 8 candidates vying for this seat left vacant following the death of the former member, the Late Joseph Egilio.
Candidates for this seat are, WILLIAM RAUOVI, JOSEL VAVIRIATA,MARTIN KAKITO,NORRIE MARTIN,GREG RAIVIA, OBED J ARITO THOMAS KERIRI and PHLIPH SIREOMIS.
PEIT Constituency has 10 candidates, they are, PAUL PARO MUSEIN,JIMMY GIBSON,THOMAS SOAGAI, SIMON RAKEIT HAONI, JULIAN MANEAS NOGOS,HENRY KAROLO, STANISLAUS BARNES,GABRIEL MAHEN KATUN, MARK NABOEN and JEROME TSINGOLI SAWA.
HAGOGOHE Constituency on Buka island has seven candidates, they are, AUGUSTINE RETEIN,THOMAS TOM KATHOA,ROBERT HAMAL SAWA,DAVID MUSEIN,EDWARD HAMANEIN, PIO BISIA and PETER SOHIA.
And KONGARA seat has only 3 candidates, they are, DOMINIC ITTA, PAUL F. BADEE and JOHN MUGAKI.
07.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
FEMALE CANDIDATE CONFIDENT
By Aloysius Laukai
After the close of nominations this afternoon, the only female candidate out of 37 male candidates, Isabel Peta says that she is confident of winning the Lule seat in Buin, South Bougainville.
She told New Dawn Fm this afternoon, that she was approached by chiefs and nominated to stand because of her work in the community.
She said that if the people are genuine in their commitment to support her, she is ready to work to develop Buin and South Bougainville and the region of Bougainville.
Mrs PETA is currently heading the Productive Partnership program in Agriculture and has been planting about 60,000 cocoa nurseries to supply the local cocoa farmers there.
07.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Nomination closes
By Aloysius Laukai
A total of 38 candidates have nominated to contest the five seats in the ABG by election.
And aerafter the close of nominations, the Electoral Officers performed Order of Draw to get positions for the Ballot Papers during the election which ends in Decenber.
Pictured are the officials performing the draws.
07.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
81 guards pass out
THE United Bougainville Training Centre on Saturday graduated 81 students as security guards. The three-week course was the third this year sponsored by the Post-Courier. The course helps disadvantaged youths and ex-combatants to move forward in life. It gives them important skills to enable change. Pictured is a graduate at the ceremony in a team-building game that incorporates a certain playful element.
Words & Picture:
DAVID LORNIE.
07.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Awareness on development
VARIOUS government agencies will be conducting a 10-day joint awareness program in rural Bougainville from November 12.
The program will be held in Panguna, Nagovis, Siwai and Torokina with the support of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
The agencies involved are the Internal Revenue Commission, Labour and Industrial Relations, Department of Health, Border Development Authority, Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority, National Planning and Monitoring Department and PNG Custom Services.
The program aims to be an on-going activity throughout the country to ensure that citizens are continually kept informed and educated on developments which affect them socially and economically.
Those invited to attend include district officers, civil society, chiefs and other key sectors of the public.
It is hoped that the awareness will provide people with a better understanding of what these agencies do and their roles in the country’s development.
Issues addressed will include rights and conditions of employment, human trafficking, tax responsibilities, control of trans-national crime and other border movement issues.
The leading and co-ordinating agency in the program will be the PNG Custom Services. Bougainville’s Customs Service Manager, John Kui thanked the ABG and Chief Administrator for supporting the program.
“it is high time the Government awareness is conducted into our rural areas apart from urban areas as there are a lot of our citizens who do not have access to vital information,” he said
“Above all, PNG Custom Services and other concerned national agencies will continue to ensure its activities and plans are also part of the efforts into advancing the Bougainville autonomy arrangements and the development agenda of its people.”
07.11.2013
Source: The National
Rebels out to rekindle top form in Buka
By JOHN PANGKATANA
FORMER national sevens champions the Kimbe Rebels have their eyes on the Black Orchid Sevens Cup.
There is also the K20,000 winners’ prize on offer at the Hutjena High School Oval in Buka this weekend.
The two-day tournament hosted by the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Rugby Football Union is from Saturday to Sunday.
Rebels mentor and West New Britain Rugby Football Union president Freddy Matthies said they were keen find their cup-winning form in Buka.
It has been a while since the West New Britain outfit dominated the sevens scene. In their last outing at the Malangan Barbarians Sevens, the Rebels crashed out in the cup semi-finals.
“We want to get back on top again and despite the team battling injuries to strike players like Henry Liliket and Andrew Lunga, we have Gare Ponda, Albert Levi and Gurias’ Nelson Daplin to push the Kimbe cause for team one,” Matthies said. “Team 2 is progressing well with a good result in Kavieng. They lost to Black Orchids in the cup semi-final and their progress is part of our talent development.”
The WNBRFU now allows players from any union to trial for their Rebels teams.
Team 1: Gina Ponda, Hubert Vitolo, Michael Vitolo, Oswald Gela, Timothy Pola, Tasi Mape, Tony Ponda, Gare Ponda, Gilberstin Bewa, Albert Levi Jnr, Nelson Daplin, Hensley Peter, Kevin Vitolo. Team 2: Charlie Lev, Alois Baleko, Junior Leo Tikot, Ben Gela, Jack Mesili, Bob Wilson, Sabasco Bai, Richard Wongi, John Luana, Kuli, Frederick Paia, Gabby Uba.
07.11.2013
Source: Autonomous Bougainville Government
A Draft only!
Please find here the draft of the Bougainville Transitional Mining Bill as it was edited in March 2013.
CLICK HERE !
06.11.2013
Source: Bougainville24
The adaptable Koromira
By Ishmael Palipal
Rice fields at Wisai
I recently travelled to Wisai, in South Bougainville, with a friend of mine to spend time there and get to know the place.
The people there are very welcoming even though they have spent many years with conflict between local tribal factions.
Seeing the fields of rice grown there made me reminisce on my formative years during the Bougainville crisis.
Around 1995 we were still living in the hideouts of Koromira situated in the Eastern side of Central Bougainville.
Koromira was mountainous and beautiful; the region covers starts at the shores right up into the bluish mountains. It was in these rugged and misty mountains that we set up our hideouts, a place where the infiltrating PNGDF could not reach and the choppers could not see.
06.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
WATAWI ON SEALING
By Aloysius Laukai
The former ABG VIce President, Joseph Watawi yesterday called for quality work on the sealing of the Kokopau to Siara highway.
Pictured are some cracks on the sealed road.
The sealing was done last weekend.
sealing near Kokopau
06.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
LULE LEADING
By Aloysius Laukai
With just 24 hours left to close of nominations for the ABG By Elections the LULE constituency in Buin, South Bougainville is leading with Nine candidates bringing the total candidates to 32 since nominations opened last Wednesday.
The LULE constituency also has the only female candidate that has so far nominated for the 2013 BY ELECTION.
LULE has ISABEL BETA,TONY KIATA,SIMON MOATSI,JOSEPH KAIMA KINANI,PAUL KAREPA KUMMA,PETER KUGUNIA DIOU,PAUL KONEANA, JOSEPH KANGKI NABUAI and PAUL LUGAKEI LORUGAGI.
The Rau seat in Wakunai has 8 candidates vying for this seat left vacant following the death of the former member, the Late Joseph Egilio.
Candidates for this seat are, WILLIAM RAUOVI, JOSEL VAVIRIATA,MARTIN KAKITO,NORRIE MARTIN,GREG RAIVIA, OBED J ARITO THOMAS KERIRI and PHLIPH SIREOMIS.
PEIT Constituency has seven candidates, they are, PAUL PARO MUSEIN,JIMMY GIBSON,THOMAS SOAGAI, SIMON RAKEIT HAONI, JULIAN MANEAS NOGOS,HENRY KAROLO, STANISLAUS BARNES,
HAGOGOHE Constituency on Buka island has six candidates, they are, AUGUSTINE RETEIN,THOMAS TOM KATHOA,ROBERT HAMAL SAWA,DAVID MUSEIN,EDWARD HAMANEIN and PIO BISIA.
And KONGARA seat has only two candidates up to today, they are, DOMINIC ITTA and PAUL F. BADEE.
New Dawn FM will announce the final figure after close of nominations tomorrow afternoon.
06.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
PRIEST NOMINATES
By Aloysius Laukai
Lule seat in Buin South Bougainville is leading the candidates list by registering 9 candidates which includes a woman candidate and now a Catholic Priest has nominated bringing the total count to 32.
And more are expected to nominate by close of nominations tomorrow.
Pictured are staff at the Electoral Commission office busy at work.
06.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
American ‘gold buyer’ kicked out
By DAVID LORNIE
THE international border between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands has again been breached.
In the latest incident, an American citizen was arrested in Buin, South Bougainville after entering the country illegally by boat from the Solomons. He was taken by police to Buka, where he was interrogated then deported.
The man, who identified himself to Bougainville police as Robert Ribble Weedn, was caught crossing the border from the Solomon Islands without a valid entry visa.
Weedn, 57, from California in the United States, told police he had travelled to Bougainville to buy gold from Noel Musingku aka King David Peii in Tonu, South Bougainville.
King Peii has declared Tonu a separate kingdom and is setting up his own economic system, including a unique currency. After his arrest in Buin, Weedn was brought to Buka police station via Arawa on October 29. He was then deported.
Northern Bougainville police commander Spencer Aili, in a statement prepared for this newspaper, said the detainee ‘alleged’ that he had heard about the King back in his home country in America from a lawyer from the Netherlands.
He said the lawyer informed him that he was the ambassador of the said King from Bougainville in Papua New Guinea.
“He said the lawyer advised him that the King was selling gold and other mineral resources at cheap prices.”
Attracted by the lure of cheap gold, Weedn travelled to Honiara in the Solomon Islands via Fiji. He arrived in Buin on October 22 where he was apprehended by local police and was later brought to Buka.
Mr Aili said, “The suspect was interrogated by my intelligence unit and his passport and visa were checked”.
He said Weedn was further advised not to repeat the same thing, but was told that if he still wanted to come to Bougainville he could do so through Port Moresby where clearance would be given since there is no immigration office in Bougainville.
“Eventually he was sent back to the Solomon Islands through the same channel he came in.”
Mr Aili sent a stern message to others that may be considering entering Bougainville illegally.
“We have seen that there are many more illegal immigrants in the region. We will work around the clock to ensure illegal immigrants be deported to their respective countries,” Mr Aili said.
“If any foreigner wants to come to the Autonomous Region Bougainville whether on business or work or as a tourist, he or she must seek proper clearance in Port Moresby’s Immigration Office first. There is law in Bougainville and all the laws must be respected at all times just as you respect your laws in your country.”
06.11.2013
Source: Me'ekamui
PANGUNA MINE
by Mekamui News
They want to abuse our land again because they regard it as a commodity belonging to them with the promises of better services etc.
Land is our mother and we treat it with love and respect.
To reopen the mine will not be a straightforward matter: the process will be very complicated; it will consume time, money, blood, sweat and tears.
Its time to move and engage in simple, straight forward uncomplicated activities through mobilization of existing resources, financial, human, knowledge: But when been influence and nearly control by the foreign crazy for our commodity will face obstacles and consume time which could have be spent on other beneficial things.
06.11.2013
Source: PNG Attitude
A Bougainvillean environment of beauteous evergreen
by NIGEL MATTE
A waterfall in the deep jungle of Bougainville
Far East is the rising Sun of AROB
A Sun that signifies morning beauty and friendliness
Shines through enrichment, glory and never loses
Gives a natural outlook of coolness and easy going
For what is true and right, that’s the main heart
Never fails to achieve pure diamond and gold
An environment of evergreen
That’s what makes it AROBian
Oh what an amazing environment fruitfulness
Colourful with an unique design of faithfulness
A Design of the best tropical climatic zone
Balance is the climate of AROB, yep it is
When it’s heat, there is coolness
Everything falls perfectly inline for a better life
An environment of evergreen
That’s what makes it AROBian
Within the jungle environment, magnificent
Prove me right if you want to because you’ll find out
Harmless is the angelic jungle of peace and harmony
When it’s flora and fauna, it’s weird to foreigners
Plants, never will you find one that scares you
Animals, only the best like dolphins, helpers of course
An environment of evergreen
That’s what makes it AROBian
The land is pure and fertile, agriculture, satisfaction of hunger
Its best is done through crop rotation, still its dream
And when it’s planting time, it’s green recapture view
A view that satisfies your sight need and imagination
An imagination that creates more evergreen color
Whether it’s cocoa, coconut, vegetables or any other crops
An environment of evergreen
That’s what makes it AROBian
From the swaying trees, is the breeze of smile and laughter
A smile that heals hearts and souls thus a health boost
A health boost of happy plants, plants that create evergreen
However, this includes the non-living things as well, because:
They feed the living things, to make them become whole
And to make them educate reality and its existence
An environment of evergreen
That’s what makes it AROBian
Buka passage - Rainbow over the evergreen island
Surrounding the Island is the calm sea of resourceful wealth
The Sea that protects North, Central and South AROB
Salty is the sea but with care that balances the color green
A color that gives the Island the joy of tradition and culture
As always, everything builds up what it makes to be evergreen
Oh AROB the place where blood poured but still in good hands
An environment of evergreen
That’s what makes it AROBian
Further deep in the forest are creeks and waterfalls of distributers
Evaporation of a well-organized environmental cycle of light
Moisture of splendid cloth in the forest of evergreen
Upe, the so called AROBIAN symbol is made in evergreen
So if you’re thinking of a deserted area, that can’t be so
Because success is only through such environment
An environment of evergreen
That’s what makes it AROBian
Above all, the hospitality of AROBians is what makes them feel responsible
love of the environment and the wisdom that guides protection
Keeps the environment mature, brilliant and gorgeous predictively
Future generations of the green never thinks of brown
Destruction of the environment cannot be, thus prevails evergreen
The color loved by all nations, nations of mission and goal
An environment of evergreen
That’s what makes it AROBian
AROB = Autonomous Region of Bougainville
05.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
MINING BILL WITHDRAWAL
By Aloysius Laukai
The proposed Bougainville Mining Transitional bill scheduled to be debated in the ABG Special session next week will be withdrawn for the second time.
This is because of some issues that needs to be looked at before it comes to the house for enactment into bill.
The ABG Minister for Mining, MICHAEL ONI (left) made this known during a meeting with the Bougainville Resources Owners Association led by SAM KAUONA and Ex-combatants that met briefly in Buka this morning.
Minister ONI explained that the matter was tabled in parliament as an information paper for the ABG members to carry their consultations with their people before it can be tabled as a draft policy bill for enactment into law.
Minister ONI was responding to calls by SAM KAUONA (right) and his group who said that they were suspicious that this bill was being rushed without the changes they have requested to be accommodated in their last meeting.
After deliberations between the Government team and the Resource owners it was agreed that another meeting will be organized between the technical team to iron out these differences before the bill can be tabled in the December or March session of the ABG House.
05.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SEALING LOW QUALITY
By Aloysius Laukai
The former ABG Vice President, JOSEPH WATAWI today called on the Works Division engineers to supervise the road sealing which he termed as low quality work.
He told Reporters in Buka this afternoon that the ABG Technical division must supervise this work although the National Supply and Tenders Board approved this contract in Port Moresby.
MR. WATAWI said that people of Bougainville as the beneficiaries for this project must make sure what they are given is of quality.
He also called on the National Supply and Tenders Board to work with the ABG and make sure contracts are given to Contractors who are credible and have machines.
Meanwhile, NEW DAWN FM understands that the ABG President, DR. JOHN MOMIS in his previous disagreements with the National Government did not agree with such arrangements of tendering in WAIGANI without any contribution from our technical experts.
A quick check by New Dawn FM saw cracks on the middle of the road after few days of sealing of the first 400 meters of the 20 kilometer between Kokopau and Siara.
05.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
WATAWI CALLS ON LEADERS TO SHOW LEADERSHIP
By Aloysius Laukai
Former ABG Vice President and chief of Selau, JOSEPH WATAWI today called on the ABG leadership to show some leadership authority and control situations that are dragging back the development of Bougainville.
He made these remarks during a press conference in Buka this afternoon.
MR. WATAWI said that the ABG as our government must intervene and support both parties and especially support the people of Kavex who are now living under trees following the burning of their village.
He said that situation warrants the ABG leadership to take the lead to help the people instead of standing on one side and condemning such situations.
MR. WATAWI said that more than two hundred people are homeless following the burning of the village.
05.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
22 NOMINATE
By Aloysius Laukai
A total of 22 candidates have nominated to contest the five seats available in the ABG By election 2013.
Out of the 22 only one female candidate has nominated for the LULE seat in Buin South Bougainville.
ISABEL BETA has put her hands up to challenge the male candidates for the LULE seat in Buin which is a paternal society in which male is regarded as the overall leader in all activities.
And the two former ABG Ministers who resigned to contest the 2012 National Election have nominated again to contest their former seats.
The seats being contested are the LULE seat in Buin, South Bougainville left vacant after the death of the former member, PAUL MITU,
The RAO Seat in Wakunai was also made vacant when its former member and Minister for Tourism, LATE JOE EGILIO died after a long illness.
The other seat for PEIT has been vacated by the former Premier DR. ALEXIUS SAREI who old age and illness has caught up with him.
The seat for Hagogohe on Buka island was made vacant when the former member ROBERT HAMAL resigned to contest the National Elections similar with the KONGARA seat in Central Bougainville where its former member, DOMINIC ITTA resigned to contest the Central Bougainville seat in the 2012 National Elections.
Nominations for the five seats will close on Thursday November 7th, 2013 at 4 pm.
Candidates who have nominated so far are,
ROBERT HAMAL SAWA for HAGOGOHE
DOMINIC ITTA for KONGARA
PAUL PARO FOR PEIT,WILLIAM RAUOVI FOR RAO,JOEL VAVIRIATA FOR RAO,MARTIN KAKITO FOR RAO,AUGUSTINE RETEIN FOR HAGOGOHE,NORRIE MARTIN FOR RAO,JIMMY GIBSON FOR PEIT,THOMASS SOAGAI FOR PEIT, THOMAS TOM KATHOA FOR HAGOGOHE,SIMON RAKEIT HAONI FOR PEIT,ISABEL BETA FOR LULE,GREG RAIVIA FOR RAO and JULIAN NOGOS for PEIT,HENRY KAROLO for PEIT,OBED J ARITO for RAO,DAVID MUSEIN for HAGOGOHE,PAUL BADEE for Kongara,EDWARD HAMANEIN for Hagogohe,STANISLAUS BARNES for Peit and PIO BISIA the current COE Chairman nominated after lunch today.
More candidates are expected to nominate before close of nominations this Thursday.
The COE chairman for HAGOGOHE became the 22 candidate for the ABG BY Election 2013.
05.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
BOARD REQUESTS SCHOOL TO COMMENCE
By Aloysius Laukai
The Board of Governors of the Bishop Wade Technical Secondary School today appealed to the Teachers and students of the School to return to the school and start classes as of tomorrow.
The Board had a Press conference in Buka this afternoon after considering the pros and cons of continuing with classes at the school.
Board Chairman, TONY TSORA and School Principal, LUCY OATA and the Catholic Education Secretary, A Kavex villager and Chief Joseph Watawi appealed to the Parents ofstudents to allow students to return to classes.
The chiefs from Selau also said that the situation is normal and issue that has stopped the school has been ironed out with the people concerned.
The Principal said that the Students have a lot of catching up to do and must return to classes by tomorrow.
She said that if students do not return this week they would not reach the desired marks when they reach Grades eleven and 12.
Meanwhile, CHIEF JOSEPH WATAWI also called on Buin students to return as the chiefs and people of Selau has guaranteed their safety whilst in School.
Pictured are Board members at todays meeting in Buka this afternoon
05.11.2013
Source: The National
15 to contest Lule seat
A WOMAN will contest the Autonomous Bougainville government by-election for the Lule seat in Buin, South Bougainville.
Isabel Beta’s nomination takes the number of candidates to 15 since nominations opened last Wednesday.
Two former ABG ministers who resigned to contest the 2012 general election have been nominated to contest their former seats.
The Lule seat in Buin was left vacant after the death of Paul Mitu.
The Rao seat in Wakunai was left vacant after the death of Joseph Egilio.
The other seat in Peit was vacated by former premier Dr Alexius Sarei because of his age and health.
The seat for Hagogohe, on Buka Island was left vacant when Robert Hamal Sawa resigned to contest the general election.
The Kongara seat, in Central Bougainville, was vacated by Dominic Itta when he resigned to contest the Central Bougainville seat during the 2012 general election.
Nominations for the five seats will close on Nov 7 at 4 pm.
Candidates who have been nominated so far are: Sawa (Hagogohe), Augustine Retein (Hagogohe), Itta (Kongara), Paro (Peit), William Rauovi (Rao), Joel Vaviriata (Rao), Martin Kakito (Rao), Norrie Martin (Rao), Jimmy Gibson (Peit), Thomas Soagai (Peti), Thomas Tom Kathoa (Hagogohe), Simon RakeitHaoni (Peit), Beta (Lule), Greg Raivia (Rao) and Julian Nogos (Peit).
05.11.2013
Source: The National
Police crack down on homebrew production
By JENNIFER NKUI
POLICE in Buin, in South Bougainville are cracking down on the production and drinking of homebrew in the town, an officer says.
Const Noel Nkui said they began operations last weekend to stop homebrew drinking in town and public places.
“Ex-combatants usually carry out the operations but due to criticisms from the public, the police had to carry out the operations,” he said.
“Roadblocks were set up to monitor vehicles and people and prevent the entry of homebrew into the town.
“Six men were arrested last weekend – four for consuming homebrew in public, and two (believed to have been intoxicated) for wounding bystanders.”
He said police in Buin were working hard to ensure there was law and order in the communities and were succeeding.
However, Nkui said police officers lacked transport and housing.
“There are no proper housing facilities for police officers and their families as most of the houses are rundown and in great need of maintenance,” Nkui said.
“The Bougainville government is not addressing our housing problems.
“Lack of transport has made it impossible for us to attend quickly to crime scenes and other duties.
“We do not have a car. For police patrols and runs, Willie Tovere, the regional police commander for South Bougainville, who is based in Buin, always lends us his private car to use.
“Our requests to the Autonomous Bougainville Government for police vehicles have fallen on deaf ears.
“We have tried our best to promote law and order and we need police vehicles to help us attend quickly and easily to our areas of priority.”
05.11.2013
Source: The National
Small gold miners face big risk from mercury
SMALL-scale gold miners in the country still need to learn a lot on the safe use of mercury in gold recovery, Mineral Resources Authority said.
Mercury has posed a big threat to the health of miners using it improperly, MRA said.
This became evident when several miners in Milne Bay showed interest to know more during an awareness drive on alluvial mining, especially mercury use.
MRA conducted the seminar in the province recently, where it circulated information on small-scale mining, landowner issues and other aspects about alluvial gold mining.
Small-scale mining trainer Sam Leonhard said many of the miners asked about the safe use of mercury and the process to acquire an alluvial mining licence (AML).
He said they also asked how they could attend courses on small-scale mining at the MRA’s Wau small-scale mining training centre.
Most of the miners were from Sudest, Misima, Normanbi and Goodenough islands.
Miner Ambros James, who is also a community leader in Rehuo ward in southcoast of Sudest Island, said the distance of Sudest from the provincial administration in Alotau, coupled with lack of means of communication made it difficult for his people to access information such as those that were being circulated by MRA.
James said there were about three to five groups of miners in each of the seven wards on Sudest island.
He said he would collect the mining brochures, booklets and maps available from the MRA display booth and distribute them to these groups so that they would learn the better ways to mine gold.
Misima Islander Steven John said there were more than 1,000 miners on Misima who needed similar information.
John stressed that some miners did not know how to handle mercury safely when using it to recover gold.
The miners praised MRA for providing the information service to them.
05.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville’s contact man
Philip Kiha (right) is one of the officers in the Bougainville Administration that any high ranking officers or representatives from the national or overseas governments or business sector would hardly miss during their trip to Bougainville. This is all because of the nature of the position he occupies. Mr Kiha is the senior protocol officer of Bougainville– a position which puts him in the frontline to meet, greet and introduce any important visitor into Bougainville. Part of his responsibility is also to ensure that these visitors’ stay in Bougainville is trouble-free, enjoyable and above all memorable. Since his appointment to this position in 2007, Mr Kiha has been tirelessly trying his best to effectively perform his duties. He loves his job. Pictured is Mr Kiha introducing the Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio to the acting deputy administrator Bruno Babato during the vice-regal’s recent visit to Bougainville.
Words: WINTERFORD TOREAS. Picture courtesy of ABG president’s media unit.
05.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Part payment eases tension
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
THE acceptance of K5,000 last Thursday by relatives of the Grade 12 student of Bishop Wade Secondary School in North Bougainville who was killed about two weeks ago as part payment of their compensation demand has eased the tension between the two factions. Early last week, relatives of the late John Kikina, who met his fate at Kavex village next to the school area, had demanded K40,000 from both the school administration and Kavex villagers. The school administration was told to pay K20,000 that would go towards transporting the deceased and his relatives back to their Kanauro village in the Buin District of South Bougainville, while the other K20,000 was to be met by the Kavex villagers as compensation demand. The death of Kikina, which came a day after completing his examination, had also led to the burning down of Kavex village on Tuesday evening by men believed to be from Buin. Luckily the villagers had fled earlier after receiving word that the relatives were traveling towards their village. The burning down of Kavex village had led to planned retaliatory attacks by Kavex villagers and their relatives, however these planned attacks were aborted following last Thursday’s ceremony. The event which took place at Kokopau in the Northern tip of Bougainville also saw a live pig and garden foods being given to the relatives of the deceased as “bel kol” to ease the tension between the two parties. The relatives of the deceased accepted the payment as part compensation. Sadly, this payment was done by Kavex villagers two days after their village was razed to ashes. Apart from this payment, Bishop Wade secondary school also gave K20,000 to the relatives, which was used to transport the body back to his village last Friday morning. Meanwhile, the North Bougainville Provincial Police Commander, Inspector Spencer Aili revealed last week that a number of suspects have already been taken into custody by police, before adding that his officers are still conducting investigations. Mr Aili also said the identity of those responsible for burning down of Kavex village is known to the police and they will be rounded up shortly. He said the action by these people has now resulted in Kavex people not having a decent place they can call home. A trade store in the area was also burnt to ashes on the same night. Inspector Aili later appealed to the two factions, including the opportunists, not to cause any damage to school properties, but let the law to take its course.
05.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Bougainville chief queries projects
By WINTERFORD TOREAS
THE people of Wakunai District in Central Bougainville are calling on the national Government to come out clear on the status of two multi-million kina projects in their area.
The two projects they are concerned about are the Togorau hydro water supply and the Togorau Road upgrading projects.
These projects were supposed to have been funded by the PNG Sustainable Development Program to the tune of K38 million.
Even a lot of work, especially on the hydro project, had already started, including the erection of power pylons and construction of the project manager’s residence.
Electricity has also been supplied from a generator near the project site to some of the nearby houses and villages.
However, the continuation of these projects came to an abrupt halt following the government’s decision to take over the Ok Tedi Mining Ltd and PNGSDP.
According to one of the chiefs from the area, Amfri Poukato, the Wakunai people are now in the dark and want to know if these two projects would still be completed as planned.
“Can the O’Neill-Dion government come out clear and tell the people of Wakunai on the status of these projects? My people want to know. Are we going to see the completion of these projects?
“We have been looking forward to the completion of these projects because we know that these projects would change our way of living as well as leading to more developments taking place in our area,” chief Poukato said.
This reporter was advised by PNGSDP about a fortnight ago that the Togorau power supply project and the Togorau Road upgrading road projects would not be completed as planned following the Government’s decision to take over the operation of PNGSDP.
However, it is understood that the Government has made a commitment that funding for the projects affected would still be released for their completion as planned.
04.11.2013
Source: Bougainville24
Governments promote Peace Agreement
There are concerns the Peace Agreement is not well understood across Bougainville.
Awareness of the Bougainville Peace Agreement throughout Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville will be the key focus of a recently established Joint Awareness Technical Working Group.
Agreement reached between representatives of the National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government has highlighted the need to implement an effective joint communication strategy on disseminating information about the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
The co-chairmen of the technical group are the Director of the National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs, Ellison ToWallom, and Bougainville Administration Deputy Administrator (Operations), Paul Kebori.
04.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
If the rain continues ...
...some houses in Buka town will be under water.
We are getting more water from these Chinese houses with no Water tanks, and their water have been diverted to our side . Our Brick walls will make sure they get back their rainwater.
04.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
NOMINATE
By Aloysius Laukai
A woman has nominated in the ABG By election for the LULE SEAT in Buin South Bougainville raising the number to 15 since nominations opened for the ABG By Elections last Wednesday.
And the two former ABG Ministers who resigned to contest the 2012 National Election have nominated again to contest their former seats.
The seats being contested are the LULE seat in Buin, South Bougainville left vacant after the death of the former member, PAUL MITU,
The RAO Seat in Wakunai was also made vacant when its former member and Minister for Tourism, LATE JOE EGILIO died after a long illness.
The other seat for PEIT has been vacated by the former Premier DR. ALEXIUS SAREI who old age and illness has caught up with him.
The seat for Hagogohe on Buka island was made vacant when the former member ROBERT HAMAL resigned to contest the National Elections similar with the KONGARA seat in Central Bougainville where its former member, DOMINIC ITTA resigned to contest the Central Bougainville seat in the 2012 National Elections.
Nominations for the five seats will close on Thursday November 7th, 2013 at 4 pm.
Candidates who have nominated so far are, ROBERT HAMAL SAWA for HAGOGOHE DOMINIC ITTA for KONGARA
PAUL PARO FOR PEIT,WILLIAM RAUOVI FOR RAO,JOEL VAVIRIATA FOR RAO,MARTIN KAKITO FOR RAO,AUGUSTINE RETEIN FOR HAGOGOHE,NORRIE MARTIN FOR RAO,JIMMY GIBSON FOR PEIT,THOMASS SOAGAI FOR PEIT, THOMAS TOM KATHOA FOR HAGOGOHE,SIMON RAKEIT HAONI FOR PEIT,ISABEL BETA FOR LULE,GREG RAIVIA FOR RAO and JULIAN NOGOS for PEIT.
More candidates are expected to nominate by close of nominations.
04.11.2013
Source: PNG Attitude
Women and society: men really ought to understand
by NIGEL MATTE
WHEN THE BOUGAINVILLE CRISIS ended, there were many changes: the peace process; weapons disposal; reconciliation among ex-combatants etc...
Family gathered, shared tears and tried their best to mend broken hearts. It was hard to forgive but that was the only solution for a new Bougainville.
Everyone dreamt of an expected time of change that would shine light and destroy darkness and cruelty.
Among the wisest of thinkers were women; women of vision, belief and faith. Seen with the naked eye, it was the man who fought smart to end the crisis; but in reality the women also fought smart.
Women’s role in society plays a major role in development. Women are the creatures of spiritual enlightenment, bringing peace because of their softness in hospitality. They are creatures who feel pain yet accept and carry the burden even when it is so heavy.
They are creatures who fight not physically but with weapons like love, faith, honesty, trust, courage and wisdom.
Without these weapons, it is not possible to establish an order in which happiness and peace reign.
Education the key for Bougainvilleans. Love is said to be of the greatest influence, more than the best high powered rifle or the most expensive house that only the rich can afford.
We must safeguard women’s role in society. It’s a role that is understood by women but it, under great stress, it can fall apart.
It isn’t too late for men to greatly improve the way they behave.
Being a woman is something very special; the powers may be within and hidden, but they are so vital to the health of our society.
02.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
NICTA engineers checking New Dawn Fm transmitter in Buka
01.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
NEVER TOO LATE
By Aloysius Laukai
The work of sealing the first 20 Km road between Kokopau to Siara on the Buka to Arawa main highway has started today.
Although it has taken this long the good thing is that they have started and for how many kilometers only time will tell.
These pictures will give you more insight into the work that started today:
01.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SPEAKER RECALLS ABG HOUSE 
By Aloysius Laukai
The Speaker of the ABG House of Representatives, ANDREW MIRIKI has recalled ABG House to immediately convene to consider the three Government proposed laws on;
The Bougainville inward investment act 2013,The Autonomous Bougainville Education Act 2013 and the Bougainville Mining Transitional Arrangement Bill 2013.
The last meeting of the house on October 15th had these bills presented to the house and gave time to the ABG members to study after their first readings.
This means that all members had ample time to fully study these bills and deliberate on them at the next sitting.
Note from the speaker also requests these members to come with copies of these bills at the coming meeting.
The meeting will be held starting TEN AM on Tuesday November 12th, 2013.
01.11.2013
Source: Bougainville Copper Limited
Press Release
Companies Announcement Office
Australian Securities Exchange
31 October, 2013
BOUGANVILLLE COPPER LIMITED APPOINTS RIO TINTO EXECUTIVE TO THE BOARD
The Company is pleased to announce that a Rio Tinto executive Mr Adam J. Burley will
join the Board on the 31st October, 2013 as a Director of the Company. Mr Burley will be
required to stand for election at the next Annual General Meeting of the Company.
Adam Burley is General Manager Strategy for Growth and Innovation, Rio Tinto Copper
Group.
Adam joined Rio Tinto in 2000 as an exploration geologist and has worked in various
leadership roles throughout Africa, Europe and North America. Adam has broad based
experience across multiple commodities and has led projects through exploration,
project development and execution, and divestment. Adam has also held corporate and
strategic roles including Executive Assistant to the Rio Tinto Chief Executive.
Immediately before his current appointment, Adam held the position of President and
CEO of the recently divested Rio Tinto Eagle Mine, a nickel copper mine located in
Michigan USA.
He holds a Masters Degree in geology from the University of Southampton, United
Kingdom
Paul D Coleman
Company Secretary
01.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
Nominate
BY Aloysius Laukai
New Dawn FM's Board member and reporter Thomas Kathoa nominates for the Hago seat and accepted by Peter Wanga />
01.11.2013
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
NOMINATIONS COMING
by Aloysius Laukai
Pictured is Thomas Soagai nominating for Peit witnessed by Mathew Bunn and accepted by Garry Kenehe Sent from Samsung Mobile
01.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Film festival
ARAWA Haus Stori (public library) will host the PNG Human Rights Film Festival scheduled next week weekend on the 9th November, 2013. The film festival will showcase and gender equality, violence against women and child abuse amongst others. It will be a form of awareness to the public on the effects of these issues and how they are crippling the communities and family units in Bougainville and PNG as a whole. Pictured is Allan Gioni of Arawa Stori Haus with the poster promoting the PNG Human Rights Film Festival that will be showcased in Arawa and other provinces in the country.
Words & Picture: ROMULUS MASIU
01.11.2013
Source: Post-Courier
Breakfast treat for Gr.8 students
THIS year for the first time during the National External Grade eight Examinations, the Lontis Primary School Board of Management and Grade eight students’ parents in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville resolved to trial something new during the examination week.
They organised themselves to provide breakfast for the 35 Grade eight students and four invigilators to embrace the Students together for this special week.
The Breakfast Co-ordinator, Mrs Gela Rihene, said that previously, individual students used to have breakfast in their homes and after examinations had lunch together.
“However, this year we have noted that breakfast was more necessary than lunch and have raised funds to host this breakfast for the students.”
The Grade eight teacher, Ms Lindsay Hanette thanked the parents for their positive approach in making a difference for thestudents’ common good.
