Feb 22 2015

Bougainville News: New Dawn FM Bougainville commences filming for mobile cinema project

New Dawn FM is engaging in a nation-wide video awareness to provide the citizens of Bougainville with information on the Bougainville Peace Agreement and improve citizens’ understanding of six governance issues: disarmament, referendum, good governance, missing persons, war widows and government corruption.

New Dawn Manager Aloysius Laukai provides an update on the project and writes:

Please note : Bougainville News is operated by Aloysius Laukai

Surveys

The first mission of this PACMAS funded project, was to find out what people in Bougainville already know about our six topics: weapons disposal, the referendum, good governance, missing persons, war widows and government corruption.

We made six surveys, one for each topic, and each with seven sections. New Dawn FM reporters went to different centres in Bougainville to conduct the surveys among a cross section of the population. In all, over 230 surveys were answered.

We found differences in reactions according to where people lived: in Central Bougainville, people felt more strongly about weapons disposal, for example. Some answers varied according to gender, such as attitudes towards what constitutes corruption.

However, it was clear that people were eager to find out more: they wanted to know about the structure of government, about how to report government corruption, and they had a lot of questions about the different aspects of the referendum.

The film we will be making will address these needs but also tell them where to go to get this information.

Scriptwriting

Scripting was a natural process especially after analysing the questionnaires and taking into account people’s opinions on the different topics. It was clear what information we would need to get across, and commenced on a list of interviewees for each film.

For the government corruption video, we came up with an exciting and dramatic way to get our point across – a fable of a dog that turns into a corrupt politician and along the way involves his whole community.

Filming

Filming has started with recordings on ‘missing persons’. We spoke to Government and NGO representatives, and also captured stories people told of their experience of having a relative missing. The interviews were eye-opening.

Bordger Bakere from ICRC spoke about the policy (that was adapted to investigate the whereabouts of the missing people as a result of the Bougainville Civil War that occurred in the years 1988 – 1998), and appeals to the members of the public to come forward if they have any information on the missing people.

Two mothers, Scholley Miriori who lost her nephew and Claire Situ who lost her son, gave personal testimonies of what it’s like to not know where the remains of a loved one are.

Peter Garuai has set up his own association to help people who have been affected from this, and we have captured his views too.

We are hoping that our awareness video on missing persons will encourage people to come forward anonymously so that valuable information can be shared safely.

Next Up

For the other 5 topics, we are yet to conduct interviews but work on identifying interviewees and arranging interview times have begun.

As we film, and then edit, we have started building the footages into coherent narratives. This part of the project provides a great opportunity for the New Dawn FM staff to develop their capacity in working with moving images and getting familiar with the Final Cut Pro.

We’re looking forward to when we will be taking the films and setting up mobile cinemas night after night in towns and villages around Bougainville.

– See more at: http://www.pacmas.org/blog-post/new-dawn-fm-bougainville-commences-filming-for-mobile-cinema-project/#sthash.NSrCDeMC.dpuf

Feb 9 2015

Bougainville News: Plans well underway for 2015 elections in Bougainville

The election of the third House which will commence with the issue of writs in the coming months will see Bougainville leaders vying for the 40 seats in the Bougainville House of Representatives, including that of the president, three women seats and seats for former combatants representing the three regions and 33 constituency seats.

This election is very crucial to Bougainvillean as it marks the start of the referendum period which, under the conditions of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, is to be held between 2015 and 2020.

By WINTERFORD TOREAS/EDITED BY JENNIFER NKUI

THE Acting Electoral Commissioner for Bougainville, George Manu (pictured above), has recently announced the appointment of returning officers and assistant returning officers for this year’s ABG General Election.

This election is very crucial to Bougainvillean as it marks the start of the referendum period which, under the conditions of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, is to be held between 2015 and 2020.

Leaders elected will play a crucial role in addressing outstanding issues like weapons disposal, economic recovery and good governance which are needed to be met before the set referendum date.

The appointed officials include Regional Returning Officer John Itanu who will be responsible for the presidential seat, Peter Wanga (Northern regional seats for women and former combatants), Charles Kopana (Central regional seats for women and former combatants) and Sam Roroga who will be responsible for the southern regional seats for women and former combatants.

The Assistant Returning Officers for each constituency include Francis Tommy (Peit, Tonsu and Tsitalato), Garry Kenehe (Haku, Halia and Hagogohe), Peter Kutadio (Taonita/Teop, TaonitaTinputz), Henry Taul (Nissan), Samuel Aririan(Teua, Mahari), Peter Tokin (Atolls), Robert Toromet (Suir, Selau), Collin Darei (South Nasioi, Kongara and Kokoda), Denise Palipal (North Nasioi, Eivo-Torau and Ioro), Sylvester Semoso (Rau, Terra), Mathew Maau (Baubake, Makis), Moses Koiri (Lule, Konnou), Martin Tumuki (Kopii, Ramu, MotunaHuyonoTokunutui), Justin Teneke (Baba, Lato, Bolave) and Leo Gobekatsu (Torokina).

The dates for the issue of writs, polling, counting and return of writs have already been set but the announcement will be made by ABG Speaker Andrew Miriki.

BOUGAINVILLE ELECTORAL COMMISSION URGED TO DO MORE

BY JENNIFER NKUI

The Bougainville Electoral Commission is urged to do more to update and increase the present total number of registered eligible voters throughout Bougainville in preparation for the 2015 ABG General Election.

This urgent call is made by the leaders of Central Bougainville, particularly those from Panguna District where according to the figures held at the electoral commission, the total number of registered voters in the Ioro constituency alarmingly appears to be 1, 827 at the moment.

In a released statement today, the leaders insisted that this is simply not possible while Evo/Torau and Konnou constituencies have 5, 090 and 7, 407 registered voters respectively.

They revealed that during the last PNG General Election in 2012, it was reported in the common roll that the number of registered voters for Ioro constituency was around 7, 000.

The leaders are therefore seriously asking as to where the rest of the 6, 000 registered voters from the last common roll update during the PNG General election went to.

According to the recent figures obtained from the Bougainville Electoral Commission last Thursday, the total number of eligible voters in Bougainville is surprisingly as follows, Central Bougainville 28, 754 voters, South Bougainville 52, 219 voters and North Bougainville 62, 530 which totals up to 143, 503 voters.

This according to Sam Kaouna, Martin Miriori and Father Simon Mumarinu is not even half of the total population of Bougainville which is 300, 000.

The leaders demand that special efforts be made by the electoral commission to update the figure for Central Bougainville saying this figure is unrealistic, especially after considering the fact that all of the faction of the Mekamui are known to have recently registered their names to participate in the coming election.

They said this is vital especially in preparation for the referendum and if this is not done, the people will be deprived and robbed off their democratic rights to choose the leaders who will represent them in parliament in the next five years.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION TO PAY SERVICE PROVIDERS

By WINTERFORD TOREAS/edited by JENNIFER NKUI

THE Bougainville Electoral Commission will still be paying service providers that have yet to be given their dues for services rendered during the 2010 ABG General Election and the 2013 ABG bye-elections.

The Acting Bougainville Electoral Commissioner, George Manu said he has already made a request to the Autonomous Bougainville Government to release funding to pay off these outstanding bills.

He said he is constantly negotiating with the government to give him this money before we go into the election. When questioned on the outstanding for the 2012 National General Election, the Acting Commissioner distanced his office saying it is the responsibility of the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC) to secure funding and settle the dues.

Mr Manu however said he has been constantly contacting the PNG Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen to settle these dues.

He added that as a concerned Bougainvillean, he has been discussing with the PNG Electoral Commissioner to settle these outstanding before the election.

During their meeting last week, Mr. Trawen informed Mr. Manu that the National Electoral Commission is waiting for the opening of the government accounts in March this year. And according to Mr. Trawen, once they access the accounts, they will pay off the outstanding.

POLITICAL PARTIES URGED TO REGISTER

By WINTERFORD TOREAS/edited by JENNIFER NKUI

The acting ABG Political Party Registrar Joseph Kaipu is urging all political parties to start registering with his office.

He made this announcement last week, thus encouraging all political parties to go to his office so he can assist them to fill in their application and finalizing their registrations before they can be able to participate in the upcoming 2015 ABG General Election.

He stressed that he does not want to do any last minute registrations because late registrations sometimes might not be in line with the ABG Political Parties (Registration) Act 2006.

That is why according to Mr. Kaipu it is very important for all political parties to start collecting the application forms from his office during this month because he does not want to rush up the registration process in the last minute.

The acting ABG political party registrar revealed that only one political party, the New Bougainville Party which is headed by the ABG President chief Dr. John Momis has collected the application forms from his office.

He added that he is only waiting for the party’s public officer to submit their application for consideration before he can register the party.

Mr. Kaipu said registration will close towards the end of March on the date scheduled for the issue of writs.

Feb 2 2015

Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) has become the focus of leaders in the government ,veterans and ex combatants.

As this year becomes a very critical year for Bougainville with elections around the corner in April and the expected referendum to be conducted this year, the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) has become the focus of leaders in the government and veterans or ex combatants.

The BPA, which was signed in 2001, has three specific areas highlighted on Autonomy; Referendum and Weapons Disposal. It also emphasizes on ‘Good Governance.’

Second part of the forum- Held on Friday 30th January 2015
words and picture by Tanya Lahies

The President of ABG Chief Dr John Momis defended that his government is a good government, better than the previous government and that a lot was achieved under his leadership.

Photo caption: Ex combatant leader Ishmael Toroama addresses the crowd at the forum on Friday, at Bel Isi park

He responded to the group of ex combatants led by leaders Ishmael Toroama with Thomas Tari and Sam Kauona, who confronted the ABG with questions on whether ABG was inline with good governance.

This occurred in the first ever forum conducted between the President Chief Dr John Momis and the ex combatants leaders at a ground level.

In the past, many issues were dealt with through the media to channel their views. The forum was an opportunity for leaders to speak openly and frankly on issues dated back to last year.

The two main criteria which leaders have emphasized mainly in the forum were on weapons disposal and good governance.

The ex combatants agree that the Autonomous Bougainville Government still needed to be transparent, which got the response of the President Momis, that his government is not corrupt and that all activities with development partners were based on transparency and for the interest of the people.

The ABG led by President Chief Dr John Momis, agreed that there was a lot to be done with weapons disposal and questioned whether the veterans will do anything about the issue as at the moment people are still using weapons to threaten democracy.

Tomorrow we look at ex combatant Sam Kauona’s statement and Vice President Patrick Nisira’s response.

Jan 30 2015

Bougainville politics: Demands by the ex-combatants for President Chief Dr John Momis to resign

Demands by the ex-combatants for Autonomous Bougainville Government President Chief Dr John Momis to resign has been deemed as undemocratic. President Momis said that though the ex-combatants, led by former Bougainville Revolutionary Army commanders, Ishmael Toroama, Sam Kauona and Thomas Tari could voice their concerns on the government’s priorities on development, demanding his resignation without due cause cannot justify their demand.

Report by : Anthony Kaybing New Dawn

This ultimatum was issued through a letter to the President questioning his ability to act in the best interest of Bougainville while outlining certain ABG ventures that it deemed were an utter failure and that if answers provided by President as unsatisfactory would warrant his removal from the Presidency.

“The ABG has already explained the dealings questioned by the ex-combatants clearly and concisely so what is the criteria that warrants me to resign as President,” President Momis said.

“As the democratically elected leader of Bougainville what criteria justifies their demands for me to resign, without properly assessing the government’s development priorities before levelling accusations against me as head of the Autonomous Bougainville Government,” the President added.

President Momis declared that his government has done more in terms of development of infrastructure and policies in Bougainville than the last government.

He said though there were constraints within the Public Service and the ABG’s financial capacity the government had done all it can to strengthen Bougainville’s drive to reckoning its political destiny through and through.

The President’s sentiments are evident through the stability within the government and its development capacity during the last five years of the Momis Administration.

In the last 5 years of President Momis’ tenure as ABG President there has been an improvement in relations with the National Government with the President negotiating the K500 million Special Intervention Fund from the Somare Government, rescoping the ABG’s priorities on Mining and initiating important legislations.

With the ABG elections looming the President said if they really desired a change in the leadership in Bougainville then he encouraged them to partake in the elections where he said offers a level play ground for them all.
“The people will then decide on who they want as their leaders to lead Bougainville,” President Momis said

Jan 8 2015

Bougainville Economic News: Momis responds to critics about Bougainville economic accountability

“Responding to all four demands from the BRA General, ISHMAEL TOROAMA, President Momis said that he does not and will not create instability to Bougainville but wants stability and development for the region and because of this he wants total unity in diversity from all Bougainvillean’s”

By Aloysius Laukai : Picture above Dr Momis with Henry Chow at launch of MV CHEBU one of many issues

The ABG President, Chief Dr. John Momis has responded to critics regarding the Bougainville Mining Law, the recent appointment of Monovi Amani as Bougainville’s new Chief Secretary, investments in the Torokina Oil Palm Project and the ABG investment with MV CHEBU

See recent international blog below

Speaking on New Dawn FM, PRESIDENT MOMIS said that people who are spreading rumours have hidden motives and he does not like it one bit.

Responding to all four demands from the BRA General, ISHMAEL TOROAMA, President Momis said that he does not and will not create instability to Bougainville but wants stability and development for the region and because of this he wants total unity in diversity from all Bougainvilleans.

President Momis said on the appointment of MR. MONOVI AMANI he had already explained that the Bougainville constitution requires the Senior Appointment Committee which is an Independent Committee to make appointments after all checks and processes are met and him as the Chairman is only part of the team.

Chief MOMIS said that the outgoing Chief Secretary will be best utilized in other important functions of the Bougainville Administration and has already accepted this change.

On the second demand why him and several Ministers have shares in the POGE LIMITED, President said that these shares were held on behalf of the Bougainville Government and would be transferred to a Bougainville Holdings Company that will manage and control all Bougainville Government Shares including those of the MV CHEBU.

President Momis response on his association with the TOROKINA OIL PALM Project, CHIEF MOMIS said that he has no personal interest in the project but had to continue this project approved by the previous Government under the Late JOSEPH KABUI.

He said that before he became the President in 2010, the project had already commenced and some funds were misused and some heads had to be rolled to stop the misuse of funds for the project.

President Momis said that when tender was called only three companies made bids to do a feasibility study on the project of which One Company BIDDED for more than 30 million Kina, the Second Company did not put a figure on their bid whilst HAKAU had the lowest bid of 10 Million Kina.

President MOMIS also announced that the study has been completed and Landowners have formed and registered their Land groups and will be making their presentation in Buka next week to seek for possible developers of this TOROKINA OIL PALM PROJECT which can become an Impact project for this part of Bougainville.

On the MV CHEBU, President MOMIS said that the project is 50/50 owned by HENRY CHOW and his company and all profits will be shared according to the shares.

President MOMIS said that the ABG will be paying management fees and these people have the management capability to manage this company on behalf of the two shareholders.

On the Bougainville Mining Bill, PRESIDENT MOMIS said that the ABG will pass the permanent Bougainville Mining Bill at its next sitting.

He said that the Department of Mining has been making awareness in all parts of Bougainville since the Transitional Mining Bill was passed last year.

Bougainville’s President Momis must explain widespread financial mismanagement

PNG Exposed

Bougainville’s President Momis has launched a scathing attack on villagers across Bougainville looking for economic alternatives to large-scale mining. Speaking on New Dawn he demanded they produce a coherent economic plan for turning ‘tomato sales’ into sustainable revenues.

The issue of economic accountability is an important one, here are five reasons President Momis should not be exempt.

1. The Torokina Oil Palm Project and Sir Henry Chow

President Momis must explain why during 2010/11 the Torokina oil palm project received ten million Kina in government grants, and what, if any benefits, the people of Bougainville have received for investing nearly the entire ABG agricultural development budget on one project? He must also explain any benefits which Sir Henry Chow received from these grants, through Hakau Investment Limited or any other company owned by Chow.

Given that the Torokina oil palm plantation was expected to bear fruit by 2014, can the President explain what has happened since 2011?

In March 2013 Islands Business reported that the ABG Public Accounts Committee would ‘inquire into the two joint ventures done by the ABG with the Hakau Investment on the Torokina Oil Palm Project, and the China Business Corporation’. Can the President report back on the findings of these investigations?

2. Employing Hedge Fund Traders as ‘Development’ Advisors

In 2012 President Momis employed public revenues to contract a hedge fund, Seagate Global, led by US expatriate, William Lawton, to become his ‘economic and development Advisor’. Seagate claims it was hired ‘to design and implement comprehensive community and economic development in Bougainville’. How much has the President spent on this contract? What tangible outcomes has this had for the people of Bougainville who have little interest in hedge funds? Why did the President choose a financial speculator to advise him on rural development?

In 2013 Seagate Global stated on their website ‘Seagate Global is the economic and Development Advisor to the President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, the location of the Panguna mine, one of the largest copper and gold mines in the world, and a country rich in numerous resources’. The page also states, ‘Seagate Global entered the mining business as one of the best ways to help people’. The first statement was subsequently removed from the company’s website! The President must explain whether Seagate Global has obtained any tangible interests in Bougainville’s natural resources through its relationship with the ABG?

3. Joint-Venture with Filipino Business Accused of Human Rights Abuses

Following visits to the Philippines President John Momis has engaged the ABG in a joint-venture with Filipino executives allegedly involved in land-grabbing, violence against landowners, illegal labour practices, and environment breaches (the full scandal was exposed here). How much money has the ABG spent on Bougainville POGE Development and its ventures with Filipino businessmen the subject of serious human rights allegations? How much has the ABG spent flying the President and his wife around the Philippines? During his extensive foreign travels has the President received any gifts from foreign companies?

4. The Panguna Mine Fiasco

Then there is the Panguna mine scandal. Before President Momis began expending significant sums of government revenues on mining – including on the Office of Panguna Mine Negotiations, an expanded Mining Division and extensive foreign advice – did he conduct an economic and social feasibility study to ensure this was money well spent?

After all, we know that the expert advice given to the ABG and the Australian government in 2008 was that reopening Panguna would be heavily resisted by landowning communities, and a potential spark for heightened tension. As a result they were advised ‘in the interim, a strategy for economic recovery through agricultural production appears the most viable among the possibilities’.

Did President Momis conduct any study that overturned these findings, and offered a strong evidence base suggesting that the significant government investment in reopening Panguna had a strong chance of bearing fruits?

And if he is to be transparent, President Momis should reveal how much has been spent on this ill-fated exercise to reopen Panguna, including money that has come from donor organisations such as the Australian government and World Bank.

5. The Public Housing Crisis

The President was also warned by auditors that public housing in Bougainville was being abused by some public servants who were not paying rent, while retired and retrenched staff were monopolising public properties. Given many public servants are forced to find housing on the inflated private market, has he done anything to rectify the abuse of public housing?

Jan 8 2015

Bougainville Referendum News: Siriosi appointed as CEO of new Office for Bougainville Referendum.

Autonomous Bougainville Government President (ABG), Chief Dr John Momis, said the new department will manage and coordinate the ABG’s relationship with the National Government to see the successful implementation of the referendum.

“Bougainville’s referendum will determine the ultimate political future of Bougainville,” the President said.

By Anthony Kaybing

Former Bougainville Acting Chief Secretary, Chris Siriosi, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the new Office for Bougainville Referendum.

With the arrival of the New Year Bougainville has welcomed that the start of the referendum period which, under the conditions of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, is to be held between 2015 and 2020.

With the opening of this window the Bougainville Executive Council has sanctioned the creation of the Office for the Bougainville Referendum.

“Bougainville’s referendum will determine the ultimate political future of Bougainville,” the President said.

“We must all be ready to decide fairly and without fear the choice for our next political destination.

“We have struggled long and hard and this is the goal that we desire so much.

“The ABG is now ready to embark on this journey and the Office for Bougainville Referendum will be the lead facilitator.”

The President said the Office will attain departmental Status and will be headed by Chris Siriosi as its Chief Executive Officer.

Siriosi was a natural appointment for the new role due to his vast experience with legal aspects of Bougainville Peace Agreement and the referendum clause..

“Mr Siriosi’s knowledge and experience on this issue will be a great asset to the government and his legal background will also be of great use to the new department,” Momis continued.

Mr Siriosi has accepted the position and will be acting as the new CEO of the Office for the next six months, until the position is advertised as required by law.

The President asserted that the new department will be responsible for facilitation of education and awareness of the coming Referendum within the Bougainville populace.

This step by the ABG shows the commitment the government has to seriously addressing Bougainville’s referendum.

Jan 7 2015

Bougainville News Summary over New Year: New ABG budget ,appointments and election act changes 2015

In this issue of Bougainville News we have a summary of news that happened over the Xmas/ News Years break

1.Unite under one banner says President Momis as the referendum window opens in 2015

2.Bougainville welcomes new Chief Secretary Monovi Amani

3.Protests on the appointment with four demands

4.ABG Budget 2015 summary

5. Outgoing Chief Secretary Siriosi asks Bougainvillean’s to respect

6.New amendments to Bougainville election act

1.UNITE UNDER ONE BANNER SAYS MOMIS
By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG PRESIDENT CHIEF DR. JOHN MOMIS has called for unity as Bougainville moves into the Referendum window in 2015.He made these remarks when commenting on the ABG 2015 Budget . PRESIDENT MOMIS said that Bougainville although has more factions then before have one common goal that is self determination for Bougainville.

DR. MOMIS said that Bougainville must address two important issues before the referendum.They are a massive awareness on the Peace Agreement and the activities of the government and the removal of all weapons before the referendum.

He said that because a lot of people invested funds on buying weapons the ABG will look at a program of buying back these weapons for some small amount of funds to be agreed at.

President Momis said that Bougainville must be united as the famous saying that United we stand or divided we fall which will be not in the best interest of Bougainville.

2.BOUGAINVILLE WELCOMES NEW CHIEF SECRETARY
By Aloysius Laukai

The Bougainville Public Employees Association(PEA) has welcomed the announcement by the President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government and chairman of the Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee, Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS on the appointment of the new Head of the Bougainville Public Service, Chief Secretary MONOVI AMANI. President of the PEA, PATRICK HEROMATE whilst responding to the appointment said that the PEA trusts the appointment of the Bougainville chief secretary is in line with the new process of appointments by the BSAC.

The intended aim of the procedure of appointments by the BSAC is to give effect to transparency in the appointments.

Whether or not this has been achieved is yet to be realized and as far as PEA is concerned, we want to ensure that no stones are left unturned.

“We want to see that all due diligence checks have been made into questions of wether or not any of the candidates have pending investigations by relevant authorities have been declared by the shortlisted candidates and appointed officer” said MR. HEROMATE.

As far as PEA is concerned, there are rumours of pending investigations by the Ombudsman Commission on the appointed officer.

In order to give effect to transparency in the appointment process and also to gain confidence of the people of Bougainville, this rumour has to be dispelled.

We congratulate the new head of the Bougainville Public Service Chief Secretary, MONOVI AMANI and wish him best in his new role.

PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF SECRETARY
By Aloysius Laukai
The ABG President and Chairman of the Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee, CHIEF DR.JOHN MOMIS has announced the new Chief Secretary for Bougainville as MONOVI AMANI 52 years from Mortlock Island. In making the announcement, President MOMIS said that this was done after an extensive recruitment and selection process that the Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee had to go through to come with the final selection.
Mr MONOVI AMANI has been notified to take up the position of Chief Secretary and Head of the Bougainville Public Service.
He is currently the Provincial Administrator for New Ireland Province a position he has held for the last two years.
Prior to that he was CEO Planning and Finance in that Administration.
The new Chief Secretary has previously been a business and taxation consultant, a
lecturer in finance and accounting, a senior officer in the National Housing
Corporation and a tax assessor with IRC.
Mr Monovi Amani has degrees in Commerce, Accounting and Business Administration. He also has certificates and diplomas in financial management and tertiary teaching.
Since 1992 Mr Amani has been a member of the Australian Society for Chartered Practising
Accountants.

3.PROTESTORS HAPPY WITH EXPLANATION

FORMER BRA General, ISHMAEL TOROAMA has put in four demands to the ABG President Chief, DR. JOHN MOMIS following the appointment of MONOVI AMANI as the new Chief Secretary for BOUGAINVILLE. In a letter addressed to the President and copied to NEW DAWN FM, MR TOROAMA said that the Bougainville Veterans are not happy with the appointment made by the Senior Appointments Committee.
MR. TOROAMA said that the appointment of MR. MONOVI AMANI is not the only insensitive decision that the ABG under DR. MOMIS has made causing instability to the fragile Bougainville Peace Process.
He said that the appointment is a slap in the face for the people of West Coast, Bougainville and Bougainville as a whole.
MR. TOROAMA said that this decision only indicates that the current Government has no confidence in hardworking Bougainvilleans on Bougainville who have continued to build Bougainville in very tough times.
The for demands are, WHY the acting Chief Secretary was not confirmed to the position to continue the remarkable work that he has started.
TWO, That the Ex Combatants want to know why the ABG President and several Minister have personal shares in the POGE Limited based in the Philipinnes.
THREE, That the President declare the relationship of the President with the failed TOROKINA OIL PALM Project.
AND Four, that the President outline the benefit sharing arrangement between HAKAU and ABG on the MV CHEBU Project.
Apart from these four, the former BRA GENERAL also condemned the recent comments made by the ABG President on the South Bougainville Commander, THOMAS TARI at the launch of the Australia/New Zealand funded Radio Station in Buin.

By Aloysius Laukai

More then one hundred people especially ex combatants fronted the ABG House this afternoon to protest on the appointment of the new Chief Secretary, MONOVI AMANI by the ABG Senior Appointments Committee.

The former combatants presented a petition to the ABG President, DR. CHIEF DR. JOHN MOMIS who promised to look into their grievances addressed in their petition.

PRESIDENT MOMIS told the protestors that the appointment was made by an Independent Committee as per the Bougainville Constitution.

He said that the Bougainville Costitution says that the Appointments must be made by a Idependent Committee that includes a representative of the Churches and in this case the Bishop of United Church TIM AUTHER, Women’s rep, MRS HONA HOLAN,LAWYERS REP, HUBERT KIKIRA, JOHN KALI from the Department of Personal Management and President Momis as the Chairman.

Chief Momis said that if we continue to disturb the process that we have established then there is no use of setting up the mechnicism to move Bougainville forward.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Police, ACP PAUL KAMUAI this afternoon thanked the former combatants for presenting their petition quitely and receiving their answer from their leaders.

He said this was a sign that our people were matured and can present their grievance peacefully.

4.ABG Budget 2015

house

The ABG 2015 Budget session today saw the ABG finance and treasury minister Albert Punghau gave the members a rundown of the 2015 budget summary.

Before giving a rundown of the budget summary, the minister stressed to the ABG president chief Dr. John Momis and the members of the House of Representatives that the 2015 budget priorities as tabled in the house in September will be to improve service delivery through a strong focus at the district level, promote economic growth and sustainability, significantly increase revenue volumes and collection of revenues and to strengthen key interventions and functions of the government.

He added that the budget also seeks to increase transparency of all sources of funding available in Bougainville from all sources.
He then urged that the members of the House of Representatives to work together to get the best value out of every kina available to Bougainville.

Mr. Punghau then revealed that in summary, the total Recurrent Unconditional Grant stands at K127, 977, 000, the estimated sub-total of internal revenue stands at K19, 119, 000, while the restoration and development grants is estimated to be K160 million.He also revealed that the K30 million RDG arrears has already been allocated to 17 programmes whilst the 2015 RDG payment of K15 million was allocated to a total of 10 region wide projects.

The minister said for the first time, a budget document records development partner contribution and those of our national member representatives.
He added that in total, the sum of K249, 015, 400 is appropriated from the Bougainville consulted revenue fund for expenditure in respect of the general public services for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.

Members not happy with budget
By Aloysius Laukai

ABG members who spoke in the ABG Budget tabled today by the ABG Finance Minister, ALBERT PUNGHAU said that the budget did not reflect the wishes of the people as per the ABG Budget meeting held in Arawa recently.
The member for TSITALATO, COSMAS SOHIA told the house that the meeting in Arawa was just another waste of Government funds as their input were not reflected in the 2015 ABG Budget.
Other members who also spoke was the member for SOUTH NASIOI who questioned why his new AROPA HIGH SCHOOL was not in the Budget.
He said that AROPA which is under his constituency was able to get funds under the National Government’s HIGH IMPACT PROJECT and this AROPA HIGH SCHOOL must have been included as part of the ABG’s input to the development in the area.
The member for HAGOGOHE, PETER SOHIA was not happy as the Budget was pushed without providing the Minister’s Speech to all members.
The budget bill was read two times and the leaders will be given tonight to go through the budget before they can debate further tomorrow before passing the bill.
New Dawn FM understands that the law says that the ABG must pass the ABG Budget before the 31st of December and delay in passing the bill will mean not funds to do government work in the new year.

5.SIRIOSI ADDRESSES BOUGAINVILLEANS

BY JENNIFER NKUI

The Outgoing chief secretary for ABG Chris Siriosi is asking the people of Bougainville to respect the decision of the senior appointments committee on the appointment of the chief secretary to the Bougainville Government and head of the Bougainville public service.

He said in a statement today that as a proud Bougainvillean and a loyal public servant, he has sworn an oath to well and truly serve the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and he intends to remain strongly faithful to that oath by respecting the lawful process by the Bougainville senior appointments committee in selecting a well qualified Bougainvillean, Monovi Amani for this important position.

He stressed that no one should be under the misapprehension as he supports our president, the BEC and the senior appointments committee as they work to establish a credible professional Bougainville Public Service under our laws.

He added that recruiting and selecting on the basis of merit a permanent chief secretary and the permanent 13 departmental heads was never going to be an easy task for anyone involved as change is never easy to manage and is even more difficult in a situation such as that faced by Bougainville.

Mr. Siriosi said however, how the public servants in the public service, the ministers and the people handle this process and its outcomes will make a strong statement about Bougainville’s maturity.

The former acting chief secretary believes that the only path to fulfilling the spirit of our constitution and the Bougainville Peace Agreement is to follow the rule of law and our Christian faith in all things.

While he appreciates the strong show of personal support from those who are concerned about him not being selected for the position, Mr. Siriosi said we need to open our doors to those from outside of Bougainville who want to come here to work, especially well qualified Bougainvilleans.

He revealed that he wants to work for the government in any position that best suits his skills and talents as he is not afraid to roll up his sleeves or working long hours for Bougainville.

He said he has enjoyed his time as the acting chief secretary and he is proud of his achievements of the last year or so saying he will accept an invitation from the president and the BEC in an appropriate position.

In the meantime, Mr. Siriosi is asking the people of Bougainville to accept this decision as he has and move in supporting the new chief secretary in contributing to Bougainville’s peace, prosperity and development.

6.NEW AMENDMENTS to BOUGAINVILLE ELECTION ACT

The ABG House of Representatives this week made a number of amendments to the Bougainville Elections Act 2007, as well as an election-related amendment to the Bougainville Public Services (Management and Administration) Act 2014.
The Bougainville Elections Act 2007 is the law under which elections in Bougainville were conducted in the including the first was the Presidential By Election after the death of the first President, the late JOE KABUI in 2008.
The Elections Act was last amended in 2013,unfortunately, following a review of the impact of these amendments, it was realised that many of the changes will be difficult to implement before the next election.
The Acting Electoral Commissioner, MR GEORGE MANU expressed concern that, if these amendments remain in place, his ability to effectively deliver the 2015 general election will be jeopardised.
The key issues addressed under these new changes are on Postal Voting, Polling period the time public servants are required to resign to stand for Elections.
The amendment Bill will be passed at the March session of the ABG House.
Ends

LAW CLARIFIES ISSUES
By Aloysius Laukai
There is strong support for the adoption of measures to allow for voting by post in the coming 2015 ABG General Elections.
And as a result, the 2013 amending Act inserted new sections providing for a complex process of postal voting for electors who will be prevented from voting by illness or physical disability, or who will be outside Bougainville at the time of the election.
The Acting Electoral Commissioner is of the view that application of these provisions in their present form will significantly delay the counting of votes, making it unlikely that the writs will be able to be returned within the 2 weeks allowed under the law.
It is unfortunate, but it will not be possible to implement postal voting measures in time for the 2015 election. The Electoral Commissioner will review the capacity to adopt postal voting for future elections, which will be able to be provided for by regulations.
Before last year’s amendment, the Elections Act required the polling period to commence no earlier than 5 weeks after the issue of the writ, and no later than 8 weeks after the issue of the writ.
After the amendment, the polling period must now commence sometime between 3 and 7 days after the issue of the writ.
This is clearly a drafting error, as it overlaps with the nomination period for candidates.
And according to the Acting Electoral Commissioner If retained in its present form, there will be no time for campaigning, and no time for the printing of ballot papers.
The Acting Electoral Commissioner recommends that the polling period commence sometime between 6 and 8 weeks after the issue of the writ, to allow adequate time for all preparations for the poll to be made.
The amendments of the Bougainville Elections will be passed in the March session of the ABG House.

010115PUBLIC SERVANTS MUST RESIGN TO STAND IN 2015
By Aloysius Laukai
The latest amendments to the law on Bougainville Elections now clears the air on Public servants who want to stand for the upcoming ABG General Elections.
Prior to the amendment, there was inconsistency in the Bougainville Public Services (Management and Administration) Act 2014 between resignation ahead of National elections (where public servants must resign 6 months before the issue of the writ) and Bougainville elections (where public servants must resign 1 month before the writ issues).

This amendment standardises the obligation to resign and, in the case of general elections, provide for time to be calculated from a known date in the past, instead of ahead of an uncertain future date.
This means that there will be transitional arrangements for the 2015 Bougainville general election, as the amendment will mean that the date by which a public servant must resign will have already passed.
As a result, public servants wishing to contest the next Bougainville election will have to resign no later than 9 January 2015

Dec 4 2014

Bougainville “good news” Story: 2014 has been a very progressive year for Central Bougainville

The current government’s free education policy has seen increase in the number enrolments at schools around Central Bougainville. Numbers of schools are also on the increase and this means that more money must continue to put into education every year. Bougainville has missed out on education during the crisis and we have to bridge the gap created when children could not go to school during the troubled period.

What we need is a broader based economy instead of just relying on extractive industries that may run out one day. One of the biggest assets Bougainville has is its people who are creative and innovative. This is why there must be emphasis in putting a lot of money into education.

Picture above : A new classroom building funded by member for Central Bougainville, Jimmy Miringtoro at Raiovi Primary School Wakunai District, Our thanks to Chris Baria for assistance with this article

Good things ahead-On the Sunny Side

This year 2014 has been a very progressive year for Central Bougainville. The region started the year on a positive note with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Peter O’Neill visiting all three regions of Bougainville including Central. During his visit he made a commitment to the people of Bougainville to fund high impact projects, several of which are in Central Bougainville.

These are the water and sanitation restoration for Arawa Town, the Aropa Airport re-opening and the other major project is of course the sealing of Bougainville Coastal Trunk from Buka to Buin.

This is a clear indication of commitment that the National Government with the support our four Bougainville MPs has a strong desire to see the Autonomous Region of Bougainville prosper in the coming years.

We have come a long way since the peace agreement was signed and there is a lot to be done as yet for Bougainville to achieve what was agreed to in the peace process. In Central Bougainville we have devoted a lot of time and money in improving education by providing more classrooms to accommodate ever increasing number enrolments in schools in the bid to bridge the gap left by the Bougainville crisis.

Education is one of the priority sectors that the government is putting money into along with Health, Infrastructure Development, Law and Order and Business Development. Health centers and aid-posts are also receiving funds from my electoral office. The police in Arawa have benefited from a vehicle allocation from the office of Member for Central as part of his community efforts to enhance the law and order sector. Funding has also been made available to the local Business Association as a form of assistance to grow small businesses in Central Bougainville.

Rural Communications Project and Integrated Government Information System (IGIS)

The government has already rolled out a rural communications project. You many have noticed new towers set up in areas that were not formerly serviced by mobile phone network. By the end of 2015 the government hopes that Bougainville will have more than 50% mobile network coverage that will include data, Internet and telephony. By 2016 Bougainville should have 100% mobile network coverage including remote and rural locations, which are not service by roads.

The main aim of the Rural Communications Project is to provide access to telecommunications and other ICT services including TV, internet, FM Radio and Data storage and transmission to rural and remote locations that lack these services.

The government has also established the “integrated government information system” or IGIS for short. This is the forerunner of e-government for Papua New Guinea. Under this ICT infrastructure all government departments and divisions will be interlinked through a computer network, which also has a data bank. This will prevent duplication and enable data and information sharing with ease.

Information can be stored at central location where those who need it and/or if they require it. The Rural Communication Project roll out will establish communication network that will become integrated into IGIS and link up all local level governments with the main government network and data center. This will mean that leaders will have to be more transparent in their work because the people will be able to monitor their performance online through IGIS.

Supporting sustainable development

Papua New Guinea is heavily reliant on logging, minerals, oil and gas for its revenue generation. These industries while they may bring economic boom to a country do have large problems associated with them and for one thing they are non-renewable, and finite and therefore unsustainable. Central Bougainville has had its taste of mining activity during the 70s and 80s.

Kindles a revolutionary literacy tool in Bougainville schools

In another first for Central Bougainville and in fact Papua New Guinea,James Tanis (former Bougainville President) has established Book-Gain-Ville E reader Revolution in a number of schools in Central Bougainville including Nariana, St. Judes Pok Pok Island, Dareenai Kavearonau and Piruana .

It was launched as an initiative to improve literacy throughout Bougainville.

Each Kindle can hold up to 1,400 books and by the end of 2014 there will over 50 kindles in 11 Bougainville schools. To date there has been no government support but hopefully in 2015 with the support of Government and NGO’s more schools can get these E reader libraries

See Website for more details or make a donation http://www.bookgainville.com/

Government Development Priorities

As part of its continuing commitment the National Government development policy covers five development sectors, which are in, line with its Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP). These are also applicable to Bougainville. These sectors are Health, Education, Infrastructure, Law and Order and Small Business. In line with this plan Bougainville MPs have funded a number of health facilities. In Central this includes Manetai and Wakunai Health Centres and a number of village level aid posts in the rural communities.

In the health sector, the office of MP for in Central has also funded ambulances to all major health centres in Central Bougainville. More money has been spent on building classrooms and other school infrastructure to cater for the increase in the number of enrolments over the years.

With regard to infrastructure, considerable amount of money is being used on feeder road maintenance including, for the first time a new road into remote and densely populated area in Paruparu previously inaccessible by road. A considerable level of funds has also allocated to restoration of Aropa Airport, which is about to be opened soon. PNG Power also received funding to provide power to Arawa town, Kieta port and to the new Kieta Distict entre in Toniva. Up to K1million has been committed to the Central Bougainville Business Association to assist small business in the region.

Looking ahead

Children are our future

Lot of work has been done to provide much needed infrastructure such as roads, schools, and of course the soon be reopened Aropa Airport. Services such as health and education continue to more draw more funds from the government through my electoral office and the treasury.

A lot more needs to be done to improve current services and to build more roads and schools. The government is ready to help out in anyway it can. However, there are certain areas where the community can contribute to the development process. For example, in order for feeder roads to last longer, drains need to kept clear of debris and grass has to be cut along the roadside. A little preventive maintenance can make a lot of difference.

Same goes for schools. Parents and community must devote sometime to do maintenance work, cleaning and grass-cutting in the school areas. The community must help to look after what the government has provided for them. The government cannot be expected to do everything. In order for us to move ahead it requires joint effort by all.

Nov 27 2014

Bougainville Manifesto News: Where to for Bougainville? Review of Leonard Fong Roka’s new book

Where to for Bougainville? A polemic, a plea & a plan

As Published in CHRIS OVERLAND in PNG Attitude

Bougainville Manifesto by Leonard Fong Roka, Pukpuk Publishing, 88pp, ISBN-10:1502917459. Available from Amazon: hard copy $US6.00; Kindle $US2.98

LEONARD Fong Roka comes from Panguna on Bougainville. Between 2013 and 2014 he wrote a series of articles about Bougainville that first appeared on the PNG Attitude website.

The essays outline the history of Bougainville, including the civil war in the 1980-90s, and suggest a way forward towards eventual independence from Papua New Guinea.

Bougainville Manifesto is many things: a history, a polemic, a plea and a plan of sorts. In it, Roka writes with considerable passion about his island home.

He asserts that, prior to the colonial era, Bougainville was part of a Solomon Islands nation state that had been in existence for at least 30,000 years. There is, in his judgement, compelling historic, socio-cultural and linguistic evidence to support this claim.

Roka rejects outright any idea that Bougainville is logically part of Papua New Guinea, which he regards as being an abstract creation of European colonialism, that was itself an expression of the larger “scramble for Empire” which characterised European politics during much of late 19th and early 20th century.

Roka’s writing is especially passionate and eloquent when he outlines the destruction of Bougainvillean culture and traditional social structures that was a result of the European takeover of the island.

He believes that colonialism rendered Bougainvilleans virtually powerless in the face of a more technologically advanced culture: second class citizens in their own land. This opinion is consistent with what is now probably the generally accepted view about the impact of colonialism on the colonised.

Bougainville’s demise as a long standing self governing entity laid the ground work for the future disaster that was to consume it.

It was arbitrarily included in a country created by imperial decision makers who had never seen it and knew nothing of its history or ethnic origins.

Its people saw the systematic destruction of their culture and traditions at the hands of the colonial power and were reduced, in Roka’s mind, to near slavery, functionally if not actually dispossessed of their land.

Bougainville remained a colonial backwater until the discovery of vast copper resources near Panguna. This suddenly elevated it to the most resource rich and economically important province in the proposed new nation of Papua New Guinea.

The Australian colonial administration was determined that a vast copper mine should be developed so as to provide a source of income to PNG once it achieved independence.

The development went ahead without any real regard for the wishes of the legitimate traditional land owners at Panguna, who saw little benefit from the subsequent exploitation and destruction of their land.

For Roka, Bougainville was a parting gift from Australia to the newly created government of Papua New Guinea, a government dominated by “redskins” who had no regard at all for the needs or aspirations of Bougainville’s people.

The subsequent collapse of the Panguna venture brought about by the armed uprising led by Francis Ona is now well known, at least to those with an interest in PNG and the South Pacific generally.

Less well known is the complex web of relationships, described by Roka, that under lay the uprising and which helped propel Bougainville into a period of bloody civil war which, by Roka’s estimate, directly or indirectly caused the deaths of anywhere between 10,000 and 20,000 people.

Somehow this very brutal and destructive civil war seemed to pass largely unnoticed by the rest of the world. This is probably a commentary on the lack of importance much of the world attaches to the usually very small and poor countries of the South Pacific and Oceania.

In considering where Bougainville might go in the future, Roka rejects any idea that it should stay as a part of PNG. He is adamant that PNG is a colonial construct to which Bougainville has no historic, cultural or ethnic ties.

His strong desire is that it should become an independent entity, perhaps within a loose federation of the Solomon Islands.

It is his great fear that, in the forthcoming plebiscite about the future of the island, Bougainvilleans’ sense of their own identity and uniqueness has been so compromised by the events of the last century that they may not have the will to grasp perhaps their last chance to seize back control of their destiny.

He is deeply worried about what he describes as the “redskinisation” of his island and the apparent lack of strong leadership from Bougainvilleans in elected office.

Roka’s own vision for the future is of a sort of communalist, grass roots based system of governance that, to some degree at least, reflects the traditional structures of Bougainvillean society.

He advocates a strongly protectionist economic structure, an education system overtly oriented towards teaching about Bougainville’s unique culture and traditions and is attracted to the social democratic governance models found in Scandinavia, with their strong emphasis on equity and fairness. Whether such a model can be successfully transplanted into Bougainville is a moot point.

This is a useful book for anyone wishing to understand how Bougainville came to be in the situation that now prevails. Roka expresses what might reasonably be characterised as the views of a Bougainvillean “nationalist”, presenting a very different idea about what the future should be when compared to that of the PNG government.

If Roka’s views are representative of a significant majority of Bougainvilleans, then the result of the forthcoming referendum on the island’s future will see it moving towards independence. This will present huge challenges to both Bougainvilleans and PNG.

Even if his views represent those of a small but significant minority, then it is entirely conceivable that any referendum will achieve little other than to polarise opinion on Bougainville and, perhaps, incite a resurgence of the violence that bedevilled it in the recent past.

Whatever the future may hold for Bougainville, I fervently hope that it is a peaceful and prosperous one. Its people deserve nothing less.

You can help create a better future for Bougainville Children by donating books to schools

Nov 26 2014

Bougainville Government Update: New Public Service must now be responsive to the direction of Cabinet and the House

“I am looking for to having these appointments made quickly and transparently. It is vital that the Administration gets down to work under the new Public Service structure and new leadership. Our government has a very full programme of infrastructure, economic development and social projects that need to be implemented down at the districts.” said President Momis. “We have wasted too much time in the past and the Public Service must now be responsive to the direction of Cabinet and the House.”

President Momis as Chairman of the Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee

BOUGAINVILLE PUBLIC SERVICES SELECTION PROCESS BEGINS

President Momis has announced that the process for selecting the top level management for the ABG had commenced. Advertising closed just over two weeks ago.

“I am delighted to say that as a result of extensive advertising the ABG has received a large number of applications, over 160, from a wide range of candidates for the positions of Chief Secretary, 13 departmental heads and the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner. Most positions have over 10 applicants,” said the President.

President Momis went on to say “The Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee has approved a process that will see the shortlisted candidates for Chief Secretary interviewed by an independent panel of three people who will make their recommendations to the Committee. Preliminary interviews are taking place, and referee checks will be made. The Committee is planning to make an appointment before Christmas. The selection process is rigorous. There will be no outside interference in the process.”

“I am hoping and praying that the people we select for these positions imbued with the spirit of service to the people of Bougainville. They have to work together to change the culture of the Public Service. They need to earn the support of the people and change Bougainville to its former position of being the best performing and premier government in Papua New Guinea” said the President

Once the Chief Secretary is appointed the Senior Appointments Committee will meet in January and February next year to make the remaining appointments of departmental heads. This is a realistic timetable given the number of applicants and the background checks that have to be made in the next five weeks.

The Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee is made up of President Momis, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Andrew Miriki, Bishop Tim Arthur representing the churches, Mrs Hona Hollan appointed by the Bougainville Women’s Federation and appointed by the PNG Law Society Mr Hubert Kikira. Under Bougainville law the Committee will receive a report from the independent panel ranking the applicants. The Committee may then decide to reinterview the candidates but it does not have to. The Committee then selects the preferred candidate.

The position of Bougainville Electoral Commissioner will also be filled before Christmas. The Bougainville Constitution says that for constitutional offices the National Government must appoint two members to the Committee. The additional members are the Secretary of the Department of Personnel Management Mr John Kali and the PNG Electoral Commissioner Mr Andrew Trawen.

JOHN MOMIS, GCL, MHR,

PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN BOUGAINVILLE SENIOR APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE

Tuesday 25 November 2014

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