Autonomous Region of Bougainville

Prospecting has started since the introduction of legislation allowing landowners complete ownership of customary land, and the lifting of the moratorium on specific localities for mineral exploration.

However, the ABG is making sure the exploration is done in the best interest of the people.

ABG Treasury and Finance Minister, Robin Wilson, said currently there is a moratorium on Panguna Mine due to its history and sensitive nature, which is being carefully addressed.

However, exploration has been allowed in other parts of the island.

According to Business Advantage, Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) chairman, Rob Burns, says the meetings, to be held in November and December, include a mediation as well as a wardens’ hearing.

The first meeting on November 23 and 24 is the third round of mediation talks to settle a dispute over the chairmanship of the Special Mining Lease Osikaiyang Landowners Association (SMLOLA).

SMLOLA is one of the nine landowner associations in the project area.

Celebrations started yesterday (Friday) in Buka Town and continued today, coinciding with the East New Britain (ENB) Day where hundreds of Tolais who live and work in Bougainville staged various cultural activities.

At the main Hutjena Oval in Buka Town where the twin celebrations were held, there was excitement, unity and peace as the Tolais and Bougainvilleans put on their cultural shows.

Many women leaders shared their sentiments on the conference, saying such meetings unify the women of Bougainville in the lead up to the referendum.

There were three aims of the conference, which firstly included the establishing or agreeing on key issues for women in Bougainville.

Secondly is the understanding of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, its key pillars and participation in key processes such as the referendum and weapons disposal currently led by the National Government and the ABG.

Women from South, Central and North Bougainville have come together for a five-day conference from 28 August to 1 September 2017, to highlight the significant role, both historically and currently, that women play in peacebuilding and security in the region.

The workshops are part of the ‘Strengthening Disaster Risk Management in Papua New Guinea’ program, funded by the Australian Government, which is providing strategic support to the Government of Papua New Guinea in reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience to disasters.

According to the UNDP and NDC, Papua New Guinea is prone to regular natural disasters and faces threats from a wide range of hazards including floods, cyclones, landslides, drought and earthquakes, among others.

Police report that the family was traveling from Buka to Arawa in a 10 seater when their vehicle collided with another vehicle belonging to PNG Power Limited.

The family’s vehicle was badly damaged while the children and their mother have been admitted to the Arawa Hospital and are reported to be in critical but stable condition.

The father, Sams Biun, received a wound to his hand.

Biun explained that the other vehicle was at fault because it was on the same lane they were on and speeding which led to the collision.

The distribution of ballot papers from Arawa police station to the three regions; North, South and Central Bougainville, started on the weekend.

Ballot papers for nearby areas were dispatched this morning.

Security personnel include seven correctional service officers, 64 regular police personnel and assistance from the New Zealand Police.

The 64 regular police personnel have been split into two teams; the polling team and response team.

Voters assembled at the Marimari Haus Lotu polling venue early this morning only to be turned away by the polling team.

The team of five polling officers and one police officer arrived to find out that the electoral roll is yet to be printed by the electoral office in Bougainville.

The polling team says three polling venues in Ward five, North Nasioi, are yet to receive the electoral rolls as the electoral office in Bougainville has not printed enough.

The five women are contesting the three open seats while the regional seat is being vied for by nine men.

In Central Bougainville, two women, running as independents, are pitted against 19 men.  They are Gloria Terikian and Lynette Ona.

Another two are going up against 29 men for the North Bougainville seat. Rachel Konaka is running as an independent while Elizabeth Burain is contesting under the People’s Progress Party (PPP) banner.