BY JENNIFER NKUI

The legal advisor to the Autonomous Bougainville Government Anthony Reagan explained clearly to the ABG members of the House of Representatives yesterday that he is a lawyer by profession and is working as a legal advisor for Bougainville.

Speaking during the one day workshop of the ABG members on the new mining law in Buka, he said he is not an agent for Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) as claimed by Philip Miriori through an article in The National newspaper.

He added that he has never worked for a mining company and has never received any money from any one.

Mr. Reagan said he only gives advice and he does not tell the ABG or the president and his ministers what to do or what to include in the laws.

He explained further that the new mining law came about from lots of work from lots of officials after much consultations and field work.

He then pointed out that laws are interpreted differently from normal sentences and therefore lawyers alone can interpret laws properly and accordingly but not anyone on the streets.

He said he is in Bougainville as Bougainville’s legal advisor and not as an agent for Australia or BCL.