News 10.2014.2
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23.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
UN PEACE FUND PROJECTS DESIGN TEAM DEBRIEFS ABG
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The ABG was debriefed yesterday, by the UN Peace Fund projects Design Team after their one week consultations with stakeholders across the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The areas that the team looked at and covered were communication, Trauma, rehabilitation, gender, security and social cohesion.
The debrief was done in Buka yesterday at the ABG conference room and was attended by the chief secretary Chris Siriosi, health minister Rose Pihei, UN technical officer Anthony Agyeynta, police personnel Paul Kamuai and Spencer Aili, CEO for community development Hebert Kimai, peace division director Nick Peniai, veterans CEO Aaron Pita and UN Peace Fund representatives.
Francis Rolt, who debriefed the government on communication, revealed that upon consultation, they have found that there is a big gap in knowledge and material and of the referendum at all levels which has potentially dangerous implications.
He said they have also found out there are different messages coming from the government and private bodies about referendum which is very confusing.
The team has also felt that there is a technical problem in a sense that people are unsure about how to communicate messages in a peace building way.
Mr. Rolt said the team is aware of the ABG’s efforts to improve and upgrade communications, particularly radio and therefore they have come up with three responses.
The team felt that there is a need for a neutral body to help all relevant media organizations to agree on a media code of practice on referendum and probably also to create an independent media monitoring body for the referendum.
He said secondly at the production level, the team felt that there is a need to develop agreed messages and that process should include the participation of grassroots organization, individuals, COE’s, VA’s and others at that level.
According to the team, Training and mentoring on using communication as a peace building tool or complex sensitive communication is also an important and potential activity.
Mr. Rolt added that at the third level audience, the team felt that there is a need to look at how to use all communication tools from TV’s to radios, to mobile phones in order to raise awareness on the BPA and the referendum, issues surrounding the referendum.
He stressed that it is important to be able to communicate messages in a peace building way in order to construct and maintain peaceful communities and so contribute to mass development.
group pose outside the Conference Room
23.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
GENE XPERT MACHINE FOR BUKA GENERAL HOSPITAL
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The Pathology department of the Buka General Hospital now has a Gene Xpert Machine thanks to the National health Department.
This machine, according to Dr. Robin Yasi will be used by the pathology department to screen and detect drug resistant TB and is a quick method to test for drug resistant TB.
He then explained that only highly suspicious MDR-TB cases will be screened using the machine because the National TB programme is still emphasizing on the strengthening of our basic TB DOTS and the sputum microscopy.
He said the sputum microscopy is still the benchmark for diagnosing TB and therefore they are still emphasizing on the basic sputum microscopy.
Dr. Yasi is from the National TB Programme and his colleague Jennifer Banamu is from the Central Public Health Laboratory and they are here on Bougainville to install the machine and also to officially hand it over to the pathology department tomorrow.
Dr. Yasi told New Dawn Fm in an interview today that they are treating patients with sensitive TB and resistant TB as well and since they cannot do it alone, he is calling out to all stakeholders to be involved in the cause to fight against TB saying when everyone plays their part, we will fight TB and that is why corporation from everyone is needed.
The machine was installed in the pathology department today.
Meanwhile, the officer in charge of the pathology department Jacintha Mangona, has expressed her happiness and joy over the machine.
She said she is so excited because Buka general Hospital now has its own Gene Xpert machine for drug resistant TB which will also serve the region.
The machine was given to Buka General Hospital by the National health Department, through the National TB Programme in collaboration with the Central Public Health Laboratory.
Staff pose for this JN Picture after the Marchine was demonstrated this morning.
Buka Hospital Staff ready to test the equipment.Newdawnpic by Jennifer Nkui
23.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
CONCERN RAISED ON THE TWO DANCING HALLS
BY VENECHY SIHA/EDITED BY JENNIFER NKUI
The chief executive officer for culture and tourism in Bougainville Lawrence Belleh has raised an issue concerning the two dancing halls in Buka Town, Club Rendezvous and Kenny’s Hall.
He told New Dawn Fm in an interview today that he is not happy with this two dancing halls because of the loud noise and the disturbance they create.
He said he wants the place, especially Buka Town to be quiet and peaceful and should reflect the image of Bougainville and what Bougainville is like.
Mr. Belleh added that he has been receiving reports and he has seen it with his own eyes the fights and the drunkards on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
He is therefore calling on the owners of the two dancing halls to make sure their security control what happens outside of the dancing halls as well.
23.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
TUIRUMA FESTIVAL DATES SET
BY VENECHY SIHA/EDITED BY JENNIFER NKUI
The Tuiruma Festival chairman Chris Simba has revealed that the dates for the festival have now been set and it will be take place on November 5, 6 and 7, 2014.
He told New Dawn Fm in an interview that there are forty-nine confirmed groups for the festival; forty-three groups will come from South Bougainville while the other six groups will come from Central and North Bougainville.
He explained that they have had to defer the Tuiruma festival two times because firstly, they were not ready and funding was late and secondly, the ABG president Chief Dr. John Momis wanted the right houses known as the “Apaito” in Telei to be built for the festival.
The chairman is expecting the houses to be completed this weekend and assured the cultural groups who will participate in the Tuiruma Festival that the festival will take place on the set dates.
He then pointed out that the main emphasis of the festival is to promote culture as culture is fading so the main reason for the festival is to maintain our culture.
23.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
RIGHTS OF AN UNBORN CHILD
BY CLARENCE VINOKO/EDITED BY JENNIFER NKUI
The right of an unborn child is just the same as the right of a child that is living and is full of life.
This statement was made by the secretary for Bougainville Women’s Federation (BWF) Martha Parako during an interview with New Dawn Fm last week.
She said young women and mothers must know and understand the rights of both the unborn and the living child while nurturing them.
She stressed that most young women of today do not understand these rights and sometimes make attempts to commit unlawful activities such as abortion which also puts the life of the women at risk.
Therefore, Mrs. Parako is appealing to all stakeholders in the communities to work hand in hand and help our young women to better their lives saying the earlier the better.
23.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
CHILDREN NEED EXTRA PROTECTION
BY JESSICA MOPEI/EDITED BY JENNIFER NKUI
There are many issues concerning children’s rights in our communities and the Autonomous Bougainville Region as a whole and according to Sr. Isabel Vilena from Nazareth Rehabilitation Centre, children need good and extra protection from their parents and individuals in their communities.
She told New Dawn Fm in an interview last week that when the children’s needs are not met in terms of food and others, as adults, we contribute to abusing the rights of children.
She said according to a survey that they had carried out; it was revealed that fathers are the ones who do not meet the needs of their children thus leading to violence in the family.
Sr. Isabel is calling on individuals to work together and teach each other on human rights.
She is also calling on the human rights protectors to work together and help those who lack the knowledge about human rights, to ensure a safe and better living conditions for children in our communities.
23.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SIRIOSI ON IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF PEACE BUILDING
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The ABG chief secretary Chris Siriosi has revealed that an understanding must be reached between the stakeholders on some of the more important aspects of peace building activities in Bougainville.
When giving his introductory remarks during the debrief of the United Nations Peace Fund Projects Design Team in Buka yesterday, he urged everyone present to see themselves as important stakeholders in the district peace and security committees.
He then pointed out that their role is to enrich the district peace and security committees and not to dominate them.
While on that note, the chief secretary pointed out that reporting is one very important and crucial management of district peace committees.
As the chief secretary, he wants to receive reports directly from the district peace and security committees and not doctored reports from other organizations.
He said it is very important to also note that our council of elders, our system of local level governments, our government in grassroots and the village assemblies are also important stakeholders in this peace building process.
Mr. Siriosi stressed that they are not only stakeholders but they will be asked to contribute finances and other resources to assist the peace and security committee which will be reflected in the ABG 2015 budget.
He said their job now as stakeholders is to reach an understanding on what he has said, but not only that, they must also reach understanding on the management framework at this level and at the head quarters level as well.
He added that this is the moment for them to complete discussions and move on with the actual work of establishing district peace and security committees throughout Bougainville.
23.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
ABG ADOPTS MISSING PERSONS POLICY
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The international committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has applauded the decision of the Autonomous Bougainville Government in unanimously adopting a policy that will clarify the fate of the people who went missing during the crisis.
The policy was adopted on September 30, this year, more than ten years after the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
The ABG president chief Dr. John Momis said these are the voices of the voiceless; we have waited for far too long, but this is now a major priority for the people.
ABG minister for public service Joel Banam, first raised this issue in the Bougainville parliament in 2011 all the while reiterating the importance of letting the spirits to finally come to rest and stop interfering with us.
The new policy acknowledges the continued suffering of relatives of missing persons, and the collective responsibility of all parties to the conflict under international humanitarian law to clarify the fate and whereabouts of missing persons, wherever possible.
It also provides for a coordinating mechanism to implement the decisions, involving all sides and calls on the ICRC, which brings extensive experience of such issues in other parts of the world, to provide technical expertise and act as neutral intermediary whenever necessary.
The organisation’s representative on Bougainville Tobias Koehler said ICRC is ready to support the process but the process must be driven by the people of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea to make sure right solutions are found.
The ABG decision does not deal with accountability or compensation, but focuses purely on humanitarian approach in the interests of families and communities, thus defining missing persons as “individuals, regardless of their affiliation (PNGDF, BRA, BRF or other) of whom their families have no news, whose remains have not been returned to the families or who, on the basis of reliable information, have been reported missing as a result of the Crisis.”
The next step will be to discuss the issue with the government of Papua New Guinea and to bring all parties together to start implementing the policy.
President Momis concluded that this is no time for finger pointing but is time now to straighten our home.
23.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
OUTSTANDING CLAIMS
BY VENCKY SIHA/EDITED BY JENNIFER NKUI
A public servant has raised his concern with New Dawn Fm on Saturday about outstanding claims of public servants.
Joseph Piso who is a community health worker told New Dawn Fm in an interview that it has been a long time now and they are still waiting for their outstanding claims.
He said their queries were given to the health department last year and up until now, nothing was done about it.
He added that it has been 8 months now and they are still waiting for a response to their queries.
Mr. Piso has called on the ABG to assist public servants with outstanding claims and also urged the health department to attend to their queries quickly.
23.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
WAYEN APPLAUDS ABG FUNDING
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The coordinator for agriculture and livestock Gabriel Wayen has applauded the Autonomous Bougainville Government for allocating a total of eight million kina to the department of agriculture and livestock.
He told New dawn Fm in an interview today that the money now will be allocated to projects right across the region.
He said five hundred thousand kina will be allocated to two programmes of food security which will be carried out by the Halia Women Welfare corporate on Buka Island and the Tinputz women group on mainland Bougainville.
He added that another five hundred thousand kina will be allocated to the coconut plantation project which will be established in Siwai, in South Bougainville.
Mr. Wayen said another five hundred thousand kina will be allocated to plant alternate crops on land where cocoa and coconut is unable to grow well while forestry will be allocated a total of five hundred thousand kina for data collection.
He added that seven hundred thousand will be allocated to build a DPI station in Buin, another five hundred thousand to livestock to develop a hatchery and yet another five hundred thousand kina for the rice and fish pond project at Siwai which was initiated by the finance minister Albert Punghau.
23.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
COMMON ROLE TRAINNING
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The acting electoral commissioner George Manu and the electoral office will be conducting trainings for selected participants on the common role update this month.
The participants have already been selected from the six constituencies on Buka Island and according to Mr. Manu training will start next week Tuesday on October 28.
The selected number of people selected for the training in the six constituencies is as follows,
• Tsitalato – 29
• Peit – 31
• Tonsu – 17
• Haku 19
• Halia 19 and
• Hagogohe – 16
The training will be held at the Buka Town United Church building.
23.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
DRUG ABUSE ON NISSAN ISLAND
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Marijuana or drug abuse on Nissan Island is another issue that the Bougainville police service is currently looking into at the moment.
According to police inspector and North Bougainville commander Spencer Aili, the drug is not cultivated on the island but is brought in by transportation from mainland Bougainville.
He said marijuana is consumed by youths, teenagers from high school down to primary schools, both males and females.
Inspector Aili stressed that it is also very difficult to check all PMV boats that are on the water and are travelling in and out of Buka Island.
He said most children on Nissan Island are affected by this drug so they just stay at home and don’t attend school.
23.10.2014
Source: Post-Courier
SINGING FOR A WORHTY CAUSE
Words and picture: JACOB IENU
THE Seventh-Day Adventists (SDA) Church of Rumba Mission in Kieta district of Central Bougainville is holding its fundraising activities to send the pathfinder’s youth group to Brisbane, Australia, in January. The total of 10,000 youths from throughout the Pacific region will be attending the big prayer meeting. The fundraising committee is now seeking assistance from the NGOs, business houses, general public for small donations to assist. This SDA choir group known as “Ladies Voice” was performing at the event held at the Arawa main market on Sunday night.
23.10.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Chief calls for involvement of all clans in limestone project
By ROMULUS MASIU
THE proposed limestone project at Manetai, Central Bougainville will not eventuate if all parties on the ground are not consulted on the arrangements of the project.
This warning came from Chief Joseph Bairua, who represents the three clans of Dosiana, Makiara and Bakorit in the Eivo Torau Constituency of Kieta District.
Mr Bairua felt that these three clans were deliberately left out of consultation meetings and deliberations with the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Avora clan, which has been spearheading the Manetai limestone project.
“We the three clans of Dosiana, Makiara and Bakorit don’t know of the arrangements between Avora and ABG,” a frustrated Mr Bairua said in Arawa.
“We are left in the dark all this time. This is not good for the good of the limestone project and unity and peace on the ground. We are all parties to this limestone project and we must be involved in this whole arrangement.”
Mr Bairua called for cooperation by the Avora clan and ABG.
He said they must involve the other three clans in whatever discussions and arrangements concerning the re-opening of the limestone project. He said all four clans must work together in order for the future generation to benefit, especially mothers and children of Eivo- Torau constituency.
“The limestone project must be negotiated in consultation with all clan chiefs and people of Manetai,” Mr Bairua said.
“At the moment there’s work progress being made because the Avora clan is purposely side-lining the other three clans and playing political propaganda with the ABG and Bougainville Administration officials.”
Chief Bairua said if this continues, the project will not get off the ground.
23.10.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Brewing of illegal beer in the Atolls on the rise
THE production and consumption of karawe, a form of juice produced from new coconut shoots, is on the rise in the Atolls of Bougainville leading to disorderly conduct among the young.
Police commander for North Bougainville, Inspector Spencer Aili said in a statement that students are consuming the illegal brew in increasing numbers and contributing to law and order problems.
“The sad part is that children, aged 11 up to 15 years, are involved which pose a high risk to their health,” Insp Aili said.
So far two people have died and on elderly widow had been raped by a young man high on the home-brew.
“In 2013, a father of one tried to climb the coconut while drunk to get more of the product, fell over and died. This year, a youth who was drunk died doing the same thing,” he said.
A sexual attack in Nissan last week involved a 30-year-old father of five who was drunk and approached an elderly widow of Mapiri village and produced K20 note to have sex with her.
The widow refused but after some days later the suspect entered her house while she was asleep, forced her outside and raped her.
Insp Aili said police were having difficulty charging producers of karawe and have asked for tougher new laws to fight karawe abuse.
The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is a member of the family Arecaceae (palm family). It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos.
The Wikipedia states: “The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which, botanically, is a drupe, not a nut. The spelling cocoanut is an archaic form of the word.
“The term is derived from 16th-century Portuguese and Spanish coco, meaning “head” or “skull”, from the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features.
“The coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many uses of its different parts.”
23.10.2014
Source: Bougainville24
The amazing Kangu Beach
By Benjamin Heriberth Noibio
Kangu beach pier
The beautiful Kangu Beach is situated in Buin, South Bougainville, to the west of the Shortland Islands in the Solomon’s frontier.
It is blessed with a huge white sandy beach attractive to tourists and recommended as one of the warmer parts of Papua New Guinea.
Many Bougainvillean’s want to visit Kangu Beach to see its evergreen environment, beautiful underwater corals and peaceful atmosphere. The beautiful end-to-end view of the bridge and the breeze that never stops whistling, create an outstanding environment in terms of geography and culture.
Its beauty was sustained despite the Bougainville conflict and the Black Sunday of Kangu beach.
The Kangu Sea is a gateway to the islands of Malaita, Choiseul and Gizo, while the evergreen valleys of Kangu and Malabita beautify the beach with flowering plants that act as signals for incoming ships.
Kangu is also used by Bougainville musicians to shoot music videos. Meira, a roots band of Kaitu village in the Konnou constituency, mostly compose songs about the beauty of Bougainville, Kangu Beach included. The band was founded during the Konnou conflict in Buin and they mostly write songs about peace and unity in Bougainville. One of their popular songs is called ABG.
Kangu is also home to some amazing wildlife and one of the most fascinating creatures are the turtles, currently listed as an endangered species. There mounting enthusiasm at Kangu to preserve the turtles, as they rely on the area to lay eggs.
22.10.2014
Source: Radio New Zealand International
Bougainville to begin search for missing war dead
The Bougainville government has adopted a new policy with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross to locate individuals, killed during ten years of civil war in the Papua New Guinea province.
The new approach could see the possible exhumation of remains and their return to their families for traditional burial as a way of bringing closure to the conflict.
A Bougainville-based delegate of the ICRC, Tobias Koehler, says the process is a big step forward.
"Because it acknowledges suffering by the families of missing persons related to the crisis and we are very much in favour of this policy because it clearly acknowledges a humanitarian approach. Accountability and justice should not stand in the way of families finding answers about what happened to their loved ones."
The Bougainville Civil War has been described as the largest conflict in Oceania since the end of the Second World War, with about 15,000 to 20,000 people killed.
22.10.2014
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Red Cross praises Bougainville Government's missing persons policy
Bougainville's President John Momis has been applauded by the Red Cross for his government's policy on those still missing after the Bougainville Crisis.
Momis' government has called for solidarity with relatives of missing persons, and the ongoing commitment to find those still lost.
It comes as calls are mounting for more mental health services for those suffering trauma following the crisis, which ended 16 years ago.
Presenter: Richard Ewart
Speaker: Bougainville President John Momis
LISTEN HERE !
22.10.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Village court officials complete training
By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS
THE village court officials from Taonita, Tinputz and Taonita Teop.
LAST week a total of 22 village court officials in the Tinputz district of Bougainville completed a week-long workshop on processes and procedures of a village court sitting
The training was funded from PALJP under the law and justice division of Bougainville and the Autonomous Bougainville Government to upgrade the skills of the village court officials. Workshop facilitator and village court official Sylvia Renetsi stressed that the court officials needed to be well versed with the Village Court Act 1989 that was amended in 2013, so that they may apply the correct processes and procedures in the village court sittings.
Similar sentiments were shared by the district local level government officer and acting district village court official, Francis Sovea.
He said the workshop was the first of its kind in the district and skills learnt will help the village court officials to perform their duties within their communities that will in turn enable the people to have trust in the court system.
The village court officials were also presented with new sets of uniforms to help identify their status within their communities as they perform their duties.
The adviser of PALJP John Dalvi, while speaking to the village court officials, urged them to wear the uniforms with pride as they serve their community and the autonomous region of Bougainville.
He encouraged them to ask questions if and when they are not sure of processes and procedures within the court system.
22.10.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Toroama calls for support for Bougainville autonomy
FORMER Bougainville Revolutionary Army chief and current businessman, Ishmael Toroama has challenged the youths of Bougainville to support the province’s dream of autonomy through sports.
Mr Toroama made the call when officially opening the week-long sporting tournament which he sponsored under his company logo, Island Corps Security Services.
The tournament, which started yesterday, saw more than 1000 youths all over Bougainville travel to Arawa to take part in soccer, volleyball and boxing. Hemade available K15,000 cash prizes for the three sporting codes.
Teams came as far as Siwai in the south and Buka in the north to participate in the tournament that promotes peace, unity and general wellbeing of youths. “Bougainville has a dream and that dream is to fulfil the package of autonomy. Youths will have to fulfil that dream through sports, you have to discipline yourselves.
“I am a disciplined man and I would like for you to practice discipline in your sporting careers as well as in your life,” Mr Toroama said.
Lord Mayor of Arawa Town and guest speaker Mathias Salas, blasted the government for not taking youths seriously and not funding any sporting events so far.
22.10.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Ex-BRA terrorist: Back to the past!
By ROMULUS MASIU
THE Me’ekamui strongman and chairman of the Me’ekamui Council of Chiefs Chris Uma (pictured) has challenged all Bougainvilleans to return to their roots and learn their fundamental customary values.
Mr Uma said it is very important that the people of Bougainville know the fundamental customary values that govern and controls land issues, laws governing social responsibilities, feasting, marital laws, traditional burial and other important details that makes us a unique culture. Mr Uma said the modern era has brought foreign issues that collides with these traditional values and if we are not careful our customs will be lost.
He said this in relation to the recent issue of domang minta or bel kol, where Bougainville Copper Limited was allowed to discuss a custom that gives status, and dignity to the chiefs.
Mr Uma expressed disappointment in the ABG, saying “if you remove this role from the chiefs then you set a very bad precedence that will destroy our values and custom.”
22.10.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Remote electorate signs deal for impact projects
THE Bougainville Investment Limited, owned by the local level government of Buka’s most remote and underdeveloped area, Peit, signed an agreement with an international company yesterday for high impact projects in the area.
Autonomous Bougainville Government local MP Jerome Tsingoli Sawa, assisted Peit Council of Elder Chairman Henry Molein and BIL director Luke Gemel with executive officer Daniel Tukana, sign an agreement with Kimbu and Associates, Island Contractors Limited and Sungwoon International Limited.
They will now partner in civil works and building, engineering businesses in Bougainville starting with their own Peit Electorate.
Bougainville Island is the main island of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Its land area is 9300 km2. Although Bougainville Island is geographically part of the Solomon Islands archipelago, the state of Solomon Islands is not a part of Papua New Guinea.
22.10.2014
Source: Bougainville24
ABG adopts policy on persons missing from crisis
The Autonomous Bougainville Government will unanimously adopt a policy to clarifying the fate of people who went missing during the crisis that affected this Papua New Guinea island from 1989 to 1998, more than 10 years after the signing of the peace agreement.
The new policy acknowledges the continued suffering of relatives of missing persons, and the collective responsibility of all parties to the conflict under international humanitarian law to clarify the fate and whereabouts of missing persons, wherever possible.
With the introduction of the policy the Autonomous Bougainville Government and its president, Dr Chief John Momis, have once again signified that now is a time for reconciliation and unity in the region.
“These are the voices of the voiceless,” said President Momis.
“We have waited far too long, but this is now a major priority of the ABG.
“This is not the time for finger pointing, this is the time to straighten out our home.”
The issue was first introduced to Bougainville’s parliament in 2011 by the Minister for Public Service, Joel Banam.
Mr Banam reiterated the importance of letting spirits finally come to rest and stop interfering.
The policy, which was adopted on 30 September 2014, has been applauded by International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
“The ICRC is ready to support the process in any way, but the process must be driven by people in Bougainville and Papua New Guinea, to make sure the right solutions are found,” said Tobias Koehler, ICRC representative in Bougainville.
The policy provides for a coordinating mechanism to implement the decisions involving all sides and calls on the ICRC, which brings extensive experience of such issues in other parts of the world, to provide technical expertise and act as neutral intermediary whenever necessary.
The ABG decision does not deal with accountability or compensation, focusing on a purely humanitarian approach in the interests of families and communities. It defines missing persons as individuals, regardless of their affiliation (PNGDF, BRA, BRF or other) of whom their families have no news, whose remains have not been returned to the families or who, on the basis of reliable information, have been reported missing as a result of the Crisis.
The next step will be to discuss the issue with the Government of Papua New Guinea and to bring all parties together to start implementing the policy.
22.10.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Red Cross hails Bougainville decision
THE International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has welcomed the decision of the Autonomous Bougainville Government to adopt a policy on clarifying the fate of people who went missing during the Bougainville crisis from 1989 to 1998.
The policy was adopted three weeks ago, more than 10 years after the signing of the peace agreement. "These are the voices of the voiceless," said Bougainville President John Momis. "We have waited far too long, but this is now a major priority of the ABG."
Central to finding the missing was that existing gravesites are identified, mapped and protected by government and customary institutions. Similarly, a list of the missing would be established.
The information gathered would not be used for any other purpose than the implementation of this policy, Mr Momis said, adding that issues relating to compensation and criminal prosecution and accountability of perpetrators would not form part of the policy or of its implementation.
Bougainville minister for public service Joel Banam first raised the issue in the Bougainville parliament in 2011. He reiterated the importance of letting "spirits finally come to rest and stop interfering with all of us".
The new policy notes the continued suffering of relatives of missing persons, and the collective responsibility of all parties to the conflict under international humanitarian law to clarify the fate and whereabouts of missing persons, wherever possible.
The policy provides for a coordinating mechanism to implement the decisions, involving all sides. It also calls on the ICRC, which brings extensive experience of such issues in other parts of the world, to provide technical expertise and act as neutral intermediary whenever necessary.
21.10.2014
Source: Bougainville24
Bougainvillean students welcome blog editor to Madang
The editor of the Bougainville 24 (B24) blog visited Bougainvillean students before the end of semester at Divine Word University (DWU) in Madang, many of whom contribute to the project.
Editor Ben Jackson was warmly received by the 18 student writers who study at DWU, their first face-to-face meeting after nearly a year of email correspondence.
The Bougainville Students Association put on a fundraising barbeque on a typically beautiful Madang day.
The students expressed their gratitude for the B24 initiative, which gives the students the opportunity to write about local issues, culture, people, major events, projects and more.
B24 is a unique outlet for Bougainvilleans to write and also allows Bougainville Copper Ltd to strengthen its understanding and relationships with the people of the autonomous region.
Among the students present were Ancitha Semoso, president of the Bougainville Youth Foundation, and multi-award winning author Leonard Fong Roka.
The students were happy with the opportunity to talk about B24 and their studies and to ask questions about BCL and its current activities.
21.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
MOU SIGNING BETWEEN PPBS AND SDPSC
BY ELEANOR MAINEKE/EDITED BY JENNIFER NKUI
A very important phase of the peace building process in the Siwai district, which was the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Siwai District Peace and Security Committee (SDPSC) and the Panguna Peace Building Strategy, took place at Panakei on Saturday.
The ceremony which was officiated by the ABG regional member Joe Lera was witnessed by the ABG mining minister Michael Oni, UN Technical officer Anthony Agyenta, ABG chief secretary Chris Siriosi, David Brook from DFAT, Nick Peniai from the ABG division of peace, SPSN country director Jeremy Syme and Dr. Naihuwo Ahai, the Peace and building, leadership and civic engagement advisor.
The MOU signing signified one very important stage in the Siwai crisis, especially with regards to the case of the late Anthony Anugu.
The children and the widow of the late Anthony Anugu came together with his clan members in a traditional Siwai ceremony called Mihmiyetu which signified that the two parties are now ready to work together to take the next step which is the retrieval of late Anthony Anugu’s bones.
The two parties also called out to the responsible bodies to resolve the pending case of the late Anthony Anugu.
According to the chairman of SDPSC and Siwai Executive Manager Mathew Tumuki, the committee is a mandated body comprising of representatives from the COE, youths, veterans, district administration, business sector and other various stakeholders.
He said the committee has the mandate to discuss, design, monitor and evaluate the progress of the restoration of peace in the district.
He then called on the stakeholders of the mandated body to work together to restore peace in the community by being transparent in information gathering, mediation and counseling.
Mr. Tumuki pointed out that we have our rich traditional and spiritual realm and therefore the unresolved cases of the Bougainville crisis from Siwai must be settled because the souls of the lost need rest.
21.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
TEAM BOUGAINVILLE UNDER INTENSIVE TRAINING
BY CLARENCE PINOKO/EDITED BY JENNIFER NKUI
The general manager for team Bougainville Robert Semoso has revealed to New Dawn Fm in an interview yesterday that Team Bougainville is now under intensive training in preparation for the sixth PNG games that will be held in Lae, Morobe Province in November this year.
He said the coaches and the code coordinators are working around the clock to polish up everything because the date for the games is drawing nearer.
So far everything is running smoothly as planned and the coordinator said he will make further comments when more clarification is gathered from Team Bougainville.
21.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
TSORA APPOINTED AS CHIEF OF THE MISSION
BY CLARENCE VINOKO/EDITED BY JENNIFER NKUI
Tony Tsora has been appointed as the ‘Chief of the Mission’ for Team Bougainville.
In a short interview with New Dawn Fm yesterday, he explained that his role is to look after the welfare of the athletes and the affairs of the team.
He said since his appointment, he has travelled and visited the athletes during training and is very pleased to see the performance of the athletes.
He pointed out that money now is a big concern for the team and he is therefore calling out to the three national members of parliament for North, central and South Bougainville to put in some money so that the team can settle some outstanding issues before the game commences.
Mr. Tsora also thanked the ABG and the office of the regional member Joe Lera for supporting Team Bougainville with some amount of money.
21.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF KARAWE ON THE RISE
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Karawe is the name given by the Atolls to the juice that is produced from the new shoot of a coconut fruit.
According to the inspector of police and North Bougainville commander Spencer Aili, the production and consumption of Karawe is on the rise in Bougainville and is causing a lot of law and order issues in the Atolls.
He said the production of Karawe on Nissan Island, Fead Island, Mortlock Island and the Atolls of Bougainville is becoming a problem.
Illicit spirit or homebrew production is very rare in these islands and many of the youths and even older persons favour Karawe.
Some leaders like council of elders (COE) are producing and consuming this product as well as the students of Nissan High School.
Inspector Aili revealed that the consumption of Karawe on Nissan Island is adding to more law and order and all social problems, but the sad part is that small children at the age of 11 up to 15 are involved in the production and consumption of Karawe.
So far according to police reports, two people have died in relation to the production and consumption of Karawe on Nissan Island, and an elderly woman was raped by a young man while under the influence of Karawe.
As revealed by inspector Aili, the police cannot arrest and charge anyone for producing Karawe because the production of Karawe is not catered for under any law.
Therefore, it is not an offence which the police will deal with and currently the police are finding difficulties in charging producers of Karawe and are asking the appropriate authorities to make a new law to curb the production of Karawe before it gets out of hand.
A Nissan High School teacher has also strongly suggested that it is an immediate request that a new law for Karawe production must be made by the government as soon as possible.
21.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SIRIOSI TO HOST EX-RIGU BOYS MEETING
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The chief secretary Chris Siriosi will be hosting a barbeque this coming Saturday for all the ex-Rigu High School boys.
According to the civil protection coordinator Franklyn Lessie, the chief had this idea of having a meeting with all the ex-students of Rigu High after he and Mr. Lessie visited the old Rigu High School site yesterday with Secretary for Technical services Bernard Tzilu and Clement Matona who are former students themselves.
He said they felt sad when they visited the site and the chief secretary came up with the idea of re-establishing the all boys Rigu High School association.
Therefore a small programme which will be hosted by the chief secretary will be held this Saturday and all ex-Rigu boys are invited to come and meet at the new jetty of the department of primary industries.
Members of the all boys association are also invited because there will be discussions and Mr. Siriosi will be talking to them about establishing a school at the old Rigu High school site that will help our youths.
Mr. Lessie said the chief secretary’s initiative is to build a school at the old school site, at least a college that will accept our youths in.
He added that at this time we have the lost generation, the population that never went to school so it is good that when such schools are established, it will facilitate for the population that never went to school.
He also revealed that they have talked with the boys there and they are happy to establish a school at the old Rigu High school site.
The main aim of the barbeque is to have all the ex-Rigu boys to come together so they can talk about their programmes.
21.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
MALARIA ON CHILDREN IS VERY SERIOUS
BY JENNIFER NKUI
Malaria on children is a very serious infection because it causes a lot of deaths to children.
This as revealed by Dr. Mathias Tovilu is because children are not strong, they are weak and it causes them to face the problem of blood shortage.
Speaking to New Dawn Fm in an interview today, the doctor pointed out that when children are not brought to the hospital or clinic quickly and by the time they are brought to the hospital, their situation have gone from bad to worse.
He said and because they are weak and face blood shortage, it is so easy for them to lose their lives.
The doctor however is happy that the malaria programmes have progressed well with the distribution of nets some two to three years ago.
Since then, malaria cases in Bougainville have decreased as shown by statistics at the Buka General Hospital.
21.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
MALARIA CASES IN BOUGAINVILLE HAS DECREASED
BY JENNIFER NKUI
A doctor at the Buka General Hospital has revealed that malaria is not as common as indicated by statistics at the hospital.
During an interview with New Dawn Fm today, Dr. Mathias Tovilu said malaria cases in Bougainville have decreased but malaria is still present.
He added that these malaria testing kits known as Rapid Diagnostic Test or RDT that is being done in the clinics and out patients has also shown that the number of malaria patients have decreased.
He added that this statistic is good but still people must continue to take precautions saying people must continue to sleep under a net because this has had a great impact on the number of malaria cases we used to have.
Dr. Tovilu then stressed that it is good that everyone sleeps under a net because it will prevent us from getting malaria.
21.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
STALEI ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The people of Bougainville must know that the customary land that was given to us by our ancestors was acquired through many means in order for our ancestors to settle on it.
This statement was made by the senior customary land officer for ABG Hendry Stalei in an interview with New Dawn Fm today.
Speaking during the interview he said that the development taking place on our land is classified as economic development and it comes under the economic pillar.
A pillar we built on development that is established on the land, he says.
Therefore, without land we will not succeed in doing anything.
21.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
UPDATE ON CIVIL PROTECTION DIVISION
BY JENNIFER NKUI
As revealed by the coordinator for Civil Protection Division Franklyn Lessie, the last operation that the division had was in Torokina and now everything is going back to normal.
He said the division is still providing help to the people who have been placed in the care centres but otherwise, all the people have already moved back to their villages and are living their lives as they start over from where they left off.
He then thanked the district administrator, their officers, the volunteers at the civil protection division who had helped him do relief runs.
The coordinator also appealed to the boat owners and skippers to work with his office to ensure their travels are safe during bad weather.
Christmas times are his big concern when students are travelling back home.
Mr. Lessie pointed out that many boats will be arriving before Christmas, two big boats will be from the ABG president Chief Dr. John Momis and the other two will be from the regional member Joe Lera.
He said when these boats arrive, it will enable safe travel for our students back to their homes and also travel for Bougainvilleans during this Christmas period.
21.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
SUPPORT OPERATION RENDER SAFE
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The ABG vice president Patrick Nisira is appealing to the general public, former combatants and the people of Bougainville to support the people of Torokina in the period of the operation render safe that starts on Monday, October 20 to November 08, 2014.
He said now that we have the life time opportunity to assist our people in Torokina through the render safe operation which will be undertaken by the Australian Defence Force upon request from the ABG, we must take this opportunity to help them.
He pointed out that we do not have the expertise to remove the bombs, we do not have the money to contribute to fund these big operations and we do not have the logistics to cover the operation of this scope.
In these circumstances we Bougainvilleans can still offer our genuine contribution by offering our cooperation and morale support to those who have come to risk their lives to remove those very deadly unexploded ordinances, he says.
Mr. Nisira stressed that this operation is about saving lives, it’s about liberating those who have been suffering silently, many have suffered and died already and many are still suffering today and many more are bound to suffer in the future if we do not do anything so we must set them free to help themselves.
He said fortunately we are doing something good with support and assistance from the Australian government and friends as they are funding everything.
He added that they are engaged in Iraq and other areas in the world for peace and still they have allocated substantial amount of money to assist us in this operation which is very much appreciated.
What is only required for us is our selfless corporation, our collaboration, our moral support and our sincere expression of gratitude.
The vice president stressed that we must understand that the war happened some 69 years ago and we have suffered enough so operation render safe is the beginning to end that suffering and therefore it must be supported.
He also appealed to Sam Kaouna and former fighters for their unconditional support and corporation in this render safe operation.
21.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
KUNOPI ON INCORPORATED LAND OWNER GROUPS
BY JENNIFER NKUI
The senior physical planning officer in the ABG lands division James Kunopi is concerned that all incorporated land owner groups (ILG) must always scrutinize their ideas before getting involved in any projects.
He raised this concern during the joint visit to the Evo/Torau constituency by the ABG regional member Joe Lera, Community Development minister Melchior Dare and woman representing the women of Central Bougainville Joan Jerome last week.
He urged the ILG’s in that constituency to work in partnership with other clans to come up with good ideas to establish any projects that is happening on their land.
He then stressed strongly that they do so because we have had so many land issues already when one person registers the land in his name.
Mr. Kunopi said in order for a project to eventuate, everyone should sit down and scrutinize that particular project whether it is a government project, a private project or a company project.
21.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
TOTAL CONFUSION ON AWARDED CONTRACTS
BY JENNIFER NKUI
There is a lot of confusion currently on the ground with regards to the awarded contracts for the sealing of the Buka Town roads and the Buka Ring Road.
The Paramount chief of Buka Town and a concerned citizen Hendry Onsa told New Dawn Fm in an interview today that the sealing of the Buka Town roads and the Buka Ring Road is slow.
He said the groundbreaking ceremony for the work to begin was done three times and he wants to know as to why the progress on the work on the roads is still slow.
He added that he wants the secretary for technical services to come out clear and inform the people of Bougainville as to what is holding the work back.
Mr. Onsa also revealed that there were actually two parties who applied for that tender and according to Fidelis Semoso, the National Government Tenders Board approved him as the contractor for the Buka Ring road while the ABG approved Jomik as the contractor.
He said there is a clash here but why are the local plant hire companies fighting over contracts, when all they should do is share the work and the money say North for North, South for South and Central for Central?
He also questioned why the ABG tenders board approved a contractor from Lihir to come and upgrade the roads when there are a lot of local contractors available and also when Dekenai Construction Ltd, the best company picked out by the national government and the ABG is currently on the ground?
Chief Onsa is calling on the ABG to stop getting outside contractors to come into Bougainville to upgrade the roads.
Attempts by New Dawn Fm to get comments from the secretary for technical services Bernard Tzilu were unsuccessful.
21.10.2014
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville
METEN ON LAW AND ORDER
BY JENNIFER NKUI
First constable Leslie Meten has pointed out that to minimize law and order problems in the region, bottle shop owners must abide by the rule of law and their liquor licenses.
He said if their licenses state that their trading hours is six to six, and then they should abide by that because whoever is going beyond that is enjoying illegal money and causing problems.
He added that problems arise because when people are drunk they tend to hurt each other with knives and other offensive weapons.
Constable Meten is strongly emphasizing for a partnership between the police, the business community and community policing saying the police service is a legal body established by the government to deal with lawlessness.
He said lawlessness will be minimized if we work together to create a better society as we work towards the window of referendum and finally independence.
21.10.2014
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Work begins to rid Bougainville of WWII bombs
Unexploded WW II remnants in the Bougainville jungle
A multi-national defence team charged with clearing explosive remnants from World War II will begin work in Bougainville tomorrow.
Operation Render Safe will see the Australian-led team of 500 continue to move around the Pacific, removing unexploded ordnance littered around old war sites.
It successfully cleared more than 12,000 unexploded bombs in Solomon Islands last year.
Captain Jay Bannister is heading up the operation, and says it will begin with consultation with local villagers.
Presenter: Richard Ewart
Speaker: Captain Jay Bannister, Operation Render Safe
LISTEN HERE !
21.10.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Copra farmers get drying skills
By SEBASTIAN HAKALITS
MORE than 40 participants undertook a training in Buka this week on how to assess copra drying as the quality of copra is declining due to smoke contamination and high moisture content.
The purpose of the training is to build capacity in the coconut industry and as a means to disseminate vital information for improving the crop produce to mitigate or evade these two issues.
This is the second batch of training after the previous one last week that saw 30 participants getting the knowledge.
The training was conducted by Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK) officers Michael Sovek, who is the NGI regional inspector, Donald Darius, quality inspector for Bougainville, Philemon Livinai, statistics officer, Adam Kuli, compliance and licensing and Kenny Muasi who is the regional inspector for Momase.
KIK is the regulator of the coconut industry in PNG in terms of regulation and compliance and focuses its efforts in addressing two major issues in regards to improving and maintaining copra quality.
Smoked copra is due to direct open fire drying and the high moisture content results from q farmer’s lack of understanding on proper drying cycles while drying copra.
This training is in line with the objective of 5hematic program two (compliance) of the coconut industry strategic plan 2012-2021 that aspires to improve standards of inspection and monitoring with quality product outcome.
The national Government in March 2002 approved the Kokonas Indastri Koporesen Bill 2002 as a national statutory organisation, established by an Act of Parliament with key functions of setting minimum prices of all coconut products, controlling export quality standards, issue license under prescribed conditions, compile industry statistics and information and maintaining a register of all participants and associations within the industry.
KIK also supports coconut research and development and give source of policy advice to the government and promotes the industry and its products overseas.
The participants went through sessions of the causes of poor quality copra and the principles of copra drying.
Their duty now will be to go into their villages and do inspections on copra dryers and give the farmers advice on drying methods.
21.10.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Labour office gets vehicle
MR Siriosi receiving the vehicle keys from Labour’s Mary Morola
LOGISTICAL problems for the office of the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations (DLIR) in Buka will now be a thing of the past.
On Tuesday the office took delivery of anew vehicle from Ela Motors Buka branch bought through the DLIR capacity building project funds.
The project is mainly for infrastructural development including staff housing, office development and also logistical support throughout PNG to effectively and efficiently carry out their duties.
Regional labour officer Stewart Kotsin said the vehicle will now ease their problems of walking around and doing their work in dealing with labour employment issues.
Bougainville Chief Secretary Chris Siriosi urged the office to make good use of the vehicle.
“Due care must be taken and I don’t want to see the vehicle parking in night clubs or beer outlets,” he said.
21.10.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Limestone projects will be closed
By ROMULUS MASIU
THE proposed limestone project at Manetai, Central Bougainville will not eventuate if all parties on the ground are not consulted on the arrangements of the project. This warning came from Chief Joseph Bairua who represents the three clans of Dosiana, Makiara and Bakorit in the Eivo Torau Constituency of Kieta District. Mr Bairua felt the three mentioned clans were deliberately left out of consultation meetings and deliberations with the Autonomous Bougainville Government and Avora clan which has been spearheading the Manetai limestone project. “We the three clans of Dosiana, Makiara and Bakorit don’t know of the arrangements between Avora and ABG. We are left in the dark all this time. This is not good for the good of the limestone project and unity and peace on the ground. We are all parties to this limestone project and we must be involved in this whole arrangement,” a frustrated Mr Bairua told this paper in Arawa. Mr Bairua called for corporation by Avora clan and ABG and by all means tries to involve the other three clans in whatever discussions and arrangements concerning the re-opening of the limestone. He added that all four clans must corporate and work together in unity for the future generation to benefit especially mothers and children of Eivo- Torau constituency. “The limestone project must be negotiated in consultation with all clan chiefs and people of Manetai. At the moment there’s work progress being made because Avora clan is purposely side-lining the other three clans and playing political propaganda with the ABG Minister for Eivo Torau Melchior Dare and Bougainville Administration officials,” chief Bairua said adding that the project will not get off the ground because very key stakeholders in the three other clans are not involved. Chief Bairua promised he won’t disturb the project in any ways but only want the Avora clan and ABG to start involving all the other three clans as parties to the Manetai limestone project. However, he warned ABG through the MP Melchior Dare not to push the landowners into opening the project when there is no unity amongst the parties on the ground adding that proper arrangements and consultations involving all parties to work together is the way forward and not some groups working in isolation.
20.10.2014
Source: The National
Explosive mopping up team in Bougainville Wednesday
A TEAM of explosive ordnance disposal experts will arrive in Torokina on Wednesday to remove explosive remnants of war.
The multinational team was invited by the Autonomous Bougainville Government with the approval of the Government.
The team led by Australia will arrive on board the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Choules to conduct Operation Render Safe 2014.
Commander of Operation Render Safe 2014 Captain Jay Bannister said the team was looking forward to the task.
“This operation has been months in the planning, involving both the Australian Defence Force, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian High Commission,” Bannister said.
“The people of Torokina have been most welcoming and we have been working very closely with them to identify explosive remnants of war, which pose a threat to local communities.
“We are particularly grateful for the continuing support we have received from the Bougainville Police Service on building community awareness, and we look forward to their assistance in helping maintain community safety during the operation.”
The focus of Operation Render Safe 2014 will be in Torokina district where grounds, villages and community gardens remain contaminated by unexploded ordnance.
Torokina was the site of fighting between Japanese and Allied forces, and was an air base for the Allies during World War II.
20.10.2014
Source: The National
MP: Upgrade ports, roads
FEEDER roads and ports in maritime provinces serve vital links to main centres for farmers to market their produce, North Bougainville MP Louta Atoi (pictured) says.
Atoi told National Planning and Monitoring Minister Charles Abel during his recent visit there that the Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government needed to look into transport infrastructure in the region.
“Bougainville is a maritime province and we really need to look at our transport, especially the feeder roads and the main roads to make them accessible to our farmers,” he said.
“I think we need to look at sealing those feeder roads. So far we’ve been grading but these are tropical islands where it rains a lot and most of this grading is washed away after two or three days of rain.”
Atoi suggested to Abel that leaders from both governments meet and discuss the possibility of sealing feeder roads that could be accessed for economic activities.
He said the cocoa and copra industries in Bougainville were being rehabilitated and it was important the farmers had access to such infrastructures to transport their produce.
“We need to fix all our feeder ports so that we have ships moving from port to port and bringing all the goods into the main ports and at the same time we seal most of our development feeder roads for our farmers to bring their cocoa and copra into main ports for export.”
20.10.2014
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
More services needed to support post-war trauma in Bougainville
Ongoing social disorder in the autonomous region of Bougainville is being blamed largely on the trauma caused by the ten-year civil war.
In the late 1980s, the region became engulfed in a bloody civil war which is now believed to be having generational consequences.
The Health Minister of Bougainville, Rose Pihei, has been quoted as saying mental health specialists are desperately needed in the region to help those still traumatised.
One of the few services that offers trauma counselling is the Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency in Buka where counsellors have been busy, seeing at least eight trauma patients per day.
Presenter: Richard Ewart
Speaker: Helen Hakena, founder and director, Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency
LISTEN HERE !
20.10.2014
Source: Bougainville24
The story of Sr Theresa and the Patupatuai centre
By Eleanor Maineke
As Bougainville was recovering from its ten year civil war, a determined and unassuming nun dreamed of setting up a rehabilitation centre for those who suffered.
Sr Theresa Konebiri (pictured) is the driving force behind the Patupatuai Rehabilitation Centre in the Buin District which is aimed at the recuperation of mind, soul and body, as well as social,physical and integral development.
She was born on the 14 of April 1964 to a family of seven and is from Tokaino Parish in the Buin District of South Bougainville.
It is her dream and mission, as a concerned nun of Bougainville, to give back by helping people in need and through this she has made a big contribution towards peace building in Bougainville.
This journey began in 1998 as the Bougainville Crisis started to retreat and make room for peace.
Theresa Konebiri joined the local Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth after an introductory program at Chabai, north Bougainville.
328-womens-workshop
After four years she was professed as a nun in the Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth and was called Sr Theresa Konebiri (SN).
In 2007 a group of three nuns, led by Sr Theresa, from the Congregation of Sisters of Nazareth were posted to Buin on their missionary work.
The group did not have a place to stay but John Momis, now President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, invited the congregation to use his house.
Through this period Sr Theresa Konebiri had been imagining a resource centre to host workshops for youths, women and all the people who suffered through the bloody Bougainville crisis.
In the year 2009 David Kongkori, one of the leaders of the ex-combatants in Buin, told her that the mission land at Patupatuai was available.
This was the perfect opportunity and without any hesitation she asked permission from the Congregation’s Superior and the Catholic Bishop, Bernard Unabali, to setup the centre. This was approved to commence and in 2010 groundwork started with the erection of few bush material buildings.
To this day the Patupatuai Rehabilitation Centre continues to operate and is used by different groups to host workshops, retreats, recollections and training.
The money earned from the venue hire is one of the means that Sr. Theresa uses to develop the centre.328-patupatuai-rehabilitation
The Patupatuai Rehabilitation Centre has also benefited from joint funding from Counterpart International and USAID
She is determined and carries an incredible work ethic. Nothing stops her from what her heart is set on achieving.
“All other nuns have left probably because Patupatuai is isolated but that doesn’t stop me, I will still work and achieve what I aim to,” she told me in July.
Whenever I give a little help to Sr. Theresa Konebiri build her dream of helping Bougainville, it is a great opportunity and a blessing to me.
17.10.21014
Source: Post-Courier
Multinational operation to remove WWII munitions in Buka
A multi-national team of explosive ordnance disposal experts will arrive in Torokina on Wednesday 22 October, at the invitation of the Autonomous Bougainville Government and approval of the PNG Government, to remove explosive remnants of war.
The team led by Australia will arrive on board the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ship the HMAS Choules to conduct Operation Render Safe 2014.
Operation Render Safe 2014 is a key element of Australia’s enduring commitment to make safe the Explosive Remnants of War in the South Pacific. It involves the removal of bombs, weapons and ammunition remaining from World War Two. Previous Operation Render Safe missions have removed Explosive Remnants of War from Solomon Islands and Rabaul.
Commander of Operation Render Safe 2014, Captain Jay Bannister said his team is looking forward to the task where this year up to 500 personnel will participate, including around 60 Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts from other nations including New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Personnel from the Kingdom of Tonga will also observe the operation.
Alongside the personnel on board HMAS Choules will be one RAN MRH90 Helicopter and one LCM-8 Landing craft. There will also be medical and logistics personnel supporting the operation based in Buka. The Operation will run until 8 November.
“This operation has been months in the planning, involving both the Australian Defence Force, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian High Commission,” Captain Bannister said.
“The people of Torokina have been most welcoming and we have been working very closely with them to identify explosive remnants of war which pose a threat to local communities. We are particularly grateful for the continuing support we have received from the Bougainville Police Service on building community awareness, and we look forward to their assistance in helping maintain community safety during the operation.”
The focus of Operation Render Safe 2014 will be in Torokina District where grounds, villages and community gardens remain contaminated by unexploded ordnance.
Torokina was the site of fighting between Japanese and Allied forces, and was an air base for the Allies during World War II.
Captain Bannister said his team will be working very hard in the coming weeks to make Torokina a safer place for generations to come.
“This will be hard work but everyone here is well prepared for the task ahead and appropriate safety measures will be used at all times to maximise the impact of the operation.”
17.10.21014
Source: Post-Courier
Multinational operation to remove WWII munitions in Buka
A multi-national team of explosive ordnance disposal experts will arrive in Torokina on Wednesday 22 October, at the invitation of the Autonomous Bougainville Government and approval of the PNG Government, to remove explosive remnants of war.
The team led by Australia will arrive on board the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ship the HMAS Choules to conduct Operation Render Safe 2014.
Operation Render Safe 2014 is a key element of Australia’s enduring commitment to make safe the Explosive Remnants of War in the South Pacific. It involves the removal of bombs, weapons and ammunition remaining from World War Two. Previous Operation Render Safe missions have removed Explosive Remnants of War from Solomon Islands and Rabaul.
Commander of Operation Render Safe 2014, Captain Jay Bannister said his team is looking forward to the task where this year up to 500 personnel will participate, including around 60 Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts from other nations including New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Personnel from the Kingdom of Tonga will also observe the operation.
Alongside the personnel on board HMAS Choules will be one RAN MRH90 Helicopter and one LCM-8 Landing craft. There will also be medical and logistics personnel supporting the operation based in Buka. The Operation will run until 8 November.
“This operation has been months in the planning, involving both the Australian Defence Force, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian High Commission,” Captain Bannister said.
“The people of Torokina have been most welcoming and we have been working very closely with them to identify explosive remnants of war which pose a threat to local communities. We are particularly grateful for the continuing support we have received from the Bougainville Police Service on building community awareness, and we look forward to their assistance in helping maintain community safety during the operation.”
The focus of Operation Render Safe 2014 will be in Torokina District where grounds, villages and community gardens remain contaminated by unexploded ordnance.
Torokina was the site of fighting between Japanese and Allied forces, and was an air base for the Allies during World War II.
Captain Bannister said his team will be working very hard in the coming weeks to make Torokina a safer place for generations to come.
“This will be hard work but everyone here is well prepared for the task ahead and appropriate safety measures will be used at all times to maximise the impact of the operation.”
17.10.2014
Source: Bougainville24
Sir Peter Barter calls for more respect in debate
Former Minister for Bougainville Affairs and eminent businessman, Sir Peter Barter, has called for more respect to be shown in discussions around Bougainville’s future.
Barter, who was integral to the peace process on Bougainville, believes that there needs to be trust and openness from all sides of the debate.
“As Minister for Bougainville Affairs the challenges I faced included working to build trust not only in government, but between ex-combatants on different sides of the previous conflict, and within and between communities around Bougainville,” Sir Peter Barter said.
“My responsibilities included rebuilding the trust which is basic to peace, democracy and good governance on the ground.”
Barter stated that progress is stifled when integrity is lost and people play the man, rather than the ball.
“The ways in which some participants make unfounded assertions or simply ‘slag off’ at those with whom they disagree must, surely, be cause for concern,” Sir Peter Barter continued.
“They do not contribute to informed debate or help build the trust and mutual confidence in government and the wider community which are basic to public order and development.
“It is vital both to democratic good governance and to Bougainville’s future that participants in the discussions in Bougainville are not labelled in derogatory ways, or subjected to abuse or ill-founded accusations.
“Like participants in other democratic debates, they are entitled to be treated with honesty and respect.”
Sir Peter Barter stated that now that Bougainville has achieved peace it is time to find its own revenue streams to increase the self-reliance of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
“In order to be truly autonomous, or become independent following the referendum, Bougainville would need to have an economy and become less reliant on donor aid,” Sir Peter Barter said.
“This is clearly a prime concern of the ABG and the people of Bougainville,” he continued, “they want Bougainville to be autonomous, and, in the event the people vote for independence and the National Parliament agrees, they do not want to be beggars.”
Sir Peter Barter is the independent chair of the Multi Party Trust Fund that administers funds for the Joint Panguna Negotiation Coordination Committee.
16.10.2014
Source: Post-Courier
Isina chief questions bel kol
By ROMULUS MASIU
MANY in Bougainville are wondering why Bougainville Copper Limited’s (BCL) parent company Rio Tinto wants to make the domang minta (bel kol) payment.
The payment will be a compensation for loss of lives and properties during the decade-long conflict.
The period for bel kol has lapsed, say some, adding that Rio Tinto-BCL should now pay compensation outright.
“Bel kol should have been done right after the war, not many years later,” says David Dapoung who is paramount chief of Isina of Kongara 2 in Central Bougainville.
“Custom-wise this is all wrong. Our culture is becoming a laughing stock. Now is the time for compensation,” Mr Dapoung said.
Awareness teams made up of officers from the Bougainville administration visited the region saying the cost of the bel kol by Rio Tinto-BCL is K900,000. The payment is scheduled for December.
BCL will contribute 50 percent of the bel kol while ABG will chip in the other half.
BCL’s contribution will be disbursed to the ABG Mining Department trust account while ABG’s contribution will be accessed through the Finance and Treasury.
The issue of domang minta was first raised by Panguna mine affected landowners in July 2012 during their first meeting with ABG and BCL.
Domang minta was the landowners’ condition to BCL, insisting that it must happen before actual negotiations for final compensation, the awareness team says.
Domang minta symbolises readiness by both parties to reconcile past differences, and forge a new relationship and new agreements.
According to the awareness team the bel kol will re-establish relations between BCL and the people, severed during the crisis.
“They’re overlooking the compensation of Bougainvilleans and showing off with the bel kol ceremony,” Mr Dapoung added.
“It is now time to compensate, not perform domang minta.”
16.10.2014
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat
Defence team to clear World War II bombs from Bougainville
A defence team which got rid of more than 12-thousand unexploded bombs in Solomon Islands last year is about to go to work in Bougainville.
Defence team to clear World War II bombs from Bougainville (Credit: ABC)
Later this month a team led by the U-S and Australian Defence Forces will travel to the autonomous region of Papua New Guinea with the aim of getting rid of the remnants of World War II.
Operation Render Safe has been moving around the South West Pacific to help countries deal with unexploded ordnance that's been lying around untouched for the last 70 years.
Presenter: Richard Ewart
Speaker: Lieutenant Colonel Richard Watson, Australian Defence Adviser in the South West Pacific
LISTEN HERE !
16.10.2014
Source: Bougainville24
Education not taken for granted in South Nasioi
By Peter Junior Karatapi
South Nasioi students at Arawa Graduation Day 2012
As Bougainville prepares for a referendum on autonomy and independence between 2015 and 2020, it is already in the minds of every young Bougainvillean that they are future human resource of the region.
Students from every corner of the region are being educated it is no exception in South Nasioi Constituency of Kieta district, central Bougainville. Contemporary students are very keen on education, well aware of its importance to their future.
In South Nasioi there are about six primary schools and they are Kurai, Doreinang, Navibi, Dokotonau, Marai and Darutue. Since they are in rural areas the schools each cater for only 80-120 students a year. The number of students in each school depends largely on the population of the community where the school is located; some schools have more than the others.
From these six primary schools the successful students go on to continue their education at high school level in schools likes Arawa Secondary, Mabiri and Asitavi.
South Nasioi students see themselves as the forgotten flock, because they do not receive much support from organisations, businesses or governments for their school fees. The only help that comes for a few students is from Bougainville Copper Foundation, but otherwise it is their own struggle.
Despite this the parents or guardians are supportive of their children’s education. These parents work very hard. Though the majority are subsistence farmers, they make use of their land so that they are able to meet the demand for school fees and pocket money.
Everyone is looking forward to having the educated population so that they will work hand in hand to develop the area.
I am always impressed to hear young students talking about the future of Bougainville and I have no doubt that we will achieve what we students struggle for.
We have come through hard times; these made us stronger, for we learn from our mistakes and will make informed decisions in the future.
16.10.2014
Source: Post-Courier
LOs sign deal for hydro
Landowners of the Ramazon hydro power project yesterday signed the memorandum of agreement (MoA) in Buka.
The signing ceremony was celebrated by the landowners, Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and PNG Power Limited (PPL).
Head of special projects in the ABG, Ephraim Eminoni clarified the purpose of signing the agreement as some of the landowners said that they have already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
He said the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is funding the project, wants the agreement signed as it gives more strength to the project documentation.
Mr Eminoni said the ADB wants the signing to be completed before November 25 for them to release the funding for the project which is under one package for Popondetta in Oro, Bialla in West New Britain Province, and Bougainville.
“By November work on transmission lines from Kokopau to Ramazon then to Tearouki will begin awaiting the shipment of materials to arrive from Lae,” Mr Eminoni said.
He said the tender for the project has not been released yet and works on current road access to Ramazon and surrounding villages are in progress.
The next signing will be the land purchase agreement and later on will be the beneficiary or equity agreement.
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