Buka

The arrival of the officers flooded the small Buka Township after they were warmly received at the airport on Saturday with Bougainville bamboo bands.

Commissioner of Police Gari Baki and his two acting deputies, Raphael Huafolo (Administration) and Jim Andrews, led Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), Provincial Police Commanders (PPCs) and metropolitan superintendents.

Australia Federal Police (AFP) Assistant Commissioner Allan Scott was also part of the group for what is scheduled to be a week-long conference.

The completion of the sale was done last week after both banks obtained necessary statutory, regulatory and third party approvals from the Central Bank of Solomon Islands.

The acquisition process started early this year, and in July, BSP acquired  the Westpac operations in Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga.

PNGDF is part and parcel  of the Bougainville peace process but their members are often forgotten when an ex combatant meeting is held on Bougainville.

A former soldier, Lance Corporal Gordon Quito Atona, who was with 1RPIR Bravo Company, shared his thoughts on the situation with Loop PNG.  Lance Corporal Atona is rare, because he comes from Panguna where it all started and coming back to fight with his brothers in the name of the PNG Government made him like the meat in a sandwich.

More good food can be found in these markets which you cannot find at the main town markets around Bougainville.

There are a number of markets from the Selau Constituency right down to Tinputz and the most famous market is located at the Teoposuna plantation, where a lot of cars are going and coming from the Arawa stopover.

Locals in the market have called for support from the government to improve the market facilities like the market buildings and toilets.