Category Government of Bougainville

ABG Government and her Elected leaders. Short History of Bougainville.

Mar 4 2015

Bougainville Referendum Poll : Will conditions of Bougainville Peace Agreement be met by Bougainville within next 5 years as a prelude to referendum.

 

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The President said self-determination is not a dirty word for the people of Bougainville, self-determination is peoples claim that they must be the major stakeholders in deciding their fate and to be engaged in socio-economic, political and spiritual liberation.

“It is through unity and believing in one another shall we achieve our ultimate political future,” President Momis remarked

By Anthony Kaybing

The conditions of the Bougainville Peace Agreement can and will be met by Bougainville within the next five years as a prelude to its referendum.

YES or NO poll

Autonomous Bougainville Government President Grand Chief Dr John Momis made this bold statement in reference to Bougainville’s Referendum that must be held within the 5 year time period of 2015-2020.

The conditions of the Bougainville Peace Agreement are Good Governance, Fiscal Self Reliance and Weapons Disposal.

“We must not fear, we must have faith in each other and ultimately of course we must have faith in God to give us the wisdom and strength to prevail,” President Momis said.

“We have now reached a critical juncture on our journey to freedom where we stand at the threshold of a new socio-economic, political and spiritual order” The President added.

He added that this new future means Bougainvilleans will want to be liberated from structural impediments, from institutional impediments and become agents of change and development and also become the subjects and objects of these changes.

“We know for a fact for example that the people of Bougainville for a long time have always seen themselves as a people set apart from the rest of PNG,” the President said.

Consistently over a period of time the people have always demanded to have a referendum to determine whether Bougainville was to remain a part of PNG, join with the Solomon Islands or become an entirely Independent nation on its own.

So when you look at the history of Bougainvilleans, Bougainvilleans definitely had a history, we have a history of rejecting outside imposition, a history of being proud of our heritage and a history of self-determination.

This is in line with the fact that Man is by nature a self-determining animal, man being a rational is endowed with the intellect and the will that enables him to asses, analyze and make informed decisions his future.

The President said self-determination is not a dirty word for the people of Bougainville, self-determination is peoples claim that they must be the major stakeholders in deciding their fate and to be engaged in socio-economic, political and spiritual liberation.

“It is through unity and believing in one another shall we achieve our ultimate political future,” President Momis remarked.

Mar 4 2015

Bougainville Political News: President Momis slams misleading reports of his Buin speech

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An observer noted that the publishing of such derogatory reports is only to derail the progress the ABG has made in resolving the Panguna issue and on the eve of the ABG Elections in June this was just a smear campaign against President Momis and his cabinet

Anthony Kaybing

A recent statement in the blogs site Papua New Guinea Mine Watch has come under fire following its misquotations of a speech given by Autonomous Bougainville Government President Grand Chief Dr. John Momis.

The scathing report gives a tainted view of the President’s outlook on the sensitive Panguna Mine issue with the report implying that the President is hell bent on reopening the mine by force and also expressing his dissatisfaction of the Panguna Landowners Association.

The actual speech given by President Momis during the first mass by newly ordained priest Fr. Ambrose Kakatai at the Tabago Parish, Buin District on Sunday 15th February 2015 contradicts the report at so many levels.

President Momis’ speech was simply about the responsibility that Bougainvilleans must now undertake to prepare themselves for the coming referendum and their responsibility to honor the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

Parts of the President’s speech were made in the Telei (Buin) dialect as the majority of the people at the event were from the Buin District.

The part of the President’s speech that was misconstrued may have been when he explained the ABG’s continued consultative approach to resolving the Panguna issue.

“The ABG continues to consult our people on the Panguna Mine’s reopening, because of the respect for our people the mine will not be reopened by force,” direct quote of the President’s speech made in the Telei Dialect.

This quote is the only one in which President Momis mentions anything about the use of force to reopen the mine.

The other allegation raised in the report on President Momis’ speech was his “criticism” of the Panguana Landowners Association which again contradicts the actual speech.

President Momis said on the same speech that the ABG was working closely with important stakeholders such as the Panguna Landowners to resolve the issue and that the government had already created a channel of communication with the Mekamui Traibal Government of Unity who at first were suspicious of the ABG’s interest in the Panguna Mine.

An observer noted that the publishing of such derogatory reports is only to derail the progress the ABG has made in resolving the Panguna issue and on the eve of the ABG Elections in June this was just a smear campaign against President Momis and his cabinet.

 

 

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Mar 3 2015

Bougainville Education News : Bougainville schools can win Laptop and Kindle in essay competition

Bougainville Education News :Essay competition is an opportunity for students to have their say about the Bougainville’s future

Please share with your schools and networks

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A new essay competition for secondary and high school students in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville will provide youth with an opportunity to have their say about the future of the region.

Revised Closing date Friday 13 March 2015

The topic

“Is having a vote enough? What are citizens’ responsibilities in promoting and upholding democracy?”

aims to engage youth in discussion and what they see for their own future as Bougainvilleans.

Sponsored by the Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea, the competition offers a laptop computer as a first prize.

The secondary and high school that the winning student attends will receive a Kindle (Can hold up to 1,400 books) from the Arawa based Bougainville E-reader Education Revolution Project that currently has 55 Kindles being distributed to 11 schools throughout Bougainville. SEE WEBSITE

Entries are open now and close on Friday 13 March 2015

The essay competition is open to all high school and secondary school students in Bougainville. Essays are to be 600 – 1000 words.

Entries can be mailed or submitted in person to the Australian High Commission Buka Office, Tsirin Motors Building, Haku Street, Buka or emailed to Public-Affairs-PortMoresby@dfat.gov.au

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Bookgainville Project on Bougainville PNG

Mar 2 2015

Bougainville International News: USA Ambassador and UK High commissioner on flying visit to Bougainville

 

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“I’m in the region to meet with the Bougainville Women Peace, Security and Technical Working Group during their first quarterly meeting that occurred today and also to launch the New Environmental Project tomorrow, which is being facilitated by Care International.”

Ambassador of the United States to Papua New Guinea His Excellency Walter North

BY JENNIFER NKUI

The ambassador of the United States to Papua New Guinea His Excellency Walter North (left above) have arrived in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville with the British High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Simon Tonge (Centre above )
His Excellency Walter North and the British High Commissioner were met and received at the Buka airport by the ABG Protocol Officer Philip Kiha and the ABG Local Level Government executive officer Herbert Kimai. Mr. Kimai who stood in for the ABG chief secretary Monovi Amani who is away in Port Moresby told the ambassador North and High Commissioner Tonge that their coming to Bougainville implies that their governments have confidence in Bougainville and in its developments.


He went on further to say that their coming to the region also shows that the two governments have a role to play in Bougainville in terms of their participation in the developments that are taking place in Bougainville. Ambassador North who will be in the region for two days will be returning back to Port Moresby on Wednesday.

Mar 1 2015

Bougainville Development News: Download Australian Govt report on Bougainville assistance 2012-14

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The Australian High Commission in Port Moresby has released a report “Highlights of Australia’s development assistance to Bougainville 2012-2014 ” in the following essential areas: Photo above Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop recently in Arawa

DOWNLOAD Report HERE

report Australian Govt Assistance to Bougainville 2012-2014

Health,

Education,

Law and Justice,

Transport infrastructure,

and Governance.

Australia has been increasing its assistance to Bougainville in support of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA), to which Australia is a witness.

In 2013-14, Australia provided nearly PGK100 million in assistance.

The bulk of Australia’s assistance to Bougainville has been provided through our national programs in health, education, transport infrastructure, and law and justice.

Support in these sectors is aimed at improving service delivery across Bougainville.

Australia also gives Bougainville special consideration due to its post-conflict status, providing additional advisory support through the Provincial and Local level Governments Program and targeted assistance through the Governance and Implementation Fund, to help implement autonomy and public sector reform, support economic development and improve governance.

Australia is also keen to increase its support in the area of economic development, expanding on the work already underway through the aid program.

In Education, Australia will construct further classrooms, teacher houses and ablution blocks across Bougainville. This will improve access to education and assist in growing school communities by providing houses for new teachers. 
In Law and Justice, Australia will continue to provide training support and mentoring to the BPS and other law and justice agencies. More funding for infrastructure will be given, building on the significant infrastructure support we have provided over the last two years. 
In Transport, Australia will continue to repair and maintain hundreds of kilometres of Bougainville’s main road network, and look to seal another section of road in Central Bougainville. We will also turn our attention more to South Bougainville, with additional funding earmarked for maintenance of the region’s roads. 
Australia will expand its efforts to help the ABG and PNG Government to implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement. In doing so, we will be providing increased advisory support in a range of key areas including: planning and delivery of infrastructure; human resources; public financial management; organisational management and planning; policy making; legal advice and drafting; peace building; communications; law and justice; and health. 
The Governance and Implementation Fund will be expanded and pursue a number of high profile projects. Examples include the roll-out of shared email and internet access across the ABG, facilitating better communication and data storage; support to the Division of Human Resources to recruit new public servants to fill the many vacancies across the public service; expansion of the GIF’s adult literacy program; and delivery of key infrastructure projects, including Council of Elders facilities in Panguna, Tinputz and Kunua, a state house complex in Arawa and refurbishment of the Office of the Chief Secretary.

 

Past work Including

Health

In 2012 and 2013, Australia provided medical kits containing essential medical supplies from quality-assured organisations, improving the availability of medicines across the region.

Education

Between 2012 and 2014, Australia built a double classroom, teacher’s house, office and an ablution block in 20 primary schools across Bougainville.
This support has improved the learning environment in the selected schools, reduced class sizes and improved health and hygiene.
As a result of Australia’s investment in education infrastructure in Bougainville, up to 1,600 students have access to a better learning environment and improved health and hygiene facilities.
In 2012 and 2013, Australia supported the roll-out of the PNG Government’s Tuition Fee Free Education Policy, which directly benefited more than 50,000 Bougainvillean children and their families.
Australia has invested in restoring Bougainville’s law and justice sector.
In the last two years, Australia has provided significant support for infrastructure rehabilitation, including:
•              construction of dormitories at the Bougainville Police Service (BPS) Training Centre in Buka
•              construction of police accommodation in Buka, Wakunai, Tinputz, Arawa and Buin for more than 100 BPS officers;
•              refurbishment and additions to the Buka and Wakunai police stations, including the opening of Family and Sexual Violence Unit, police Q-Store and cell block;
•              construction of a law and justice sector training centre in Arawa;
•              construction of a court house in Buin;
•              construction of community justice centres in Tinputz, Wakunai and Torokina; and
•              construction of a family violence safe house for women in Buin, and a market upgrade in Buka.
Feb 26 2015

Bougainville News: Radio Ples Lain’s (mobile community radio station) first broadcast.

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Radio for a referendum

By Jeremy Miller, Australian Civilian Corps (ACC) Communications Specialist, Bureau Media and Communications, Department of the President and BEC Autonomous Bougainville Government*

Turning up to any small community in a vehicle that can send a telescopic radio mast 20 metres into the sky is a pretty good way to advertise your arrival. If that community is in Bougainville and hasn’t had radio for more than 15 years since a decade-long conflict destroyed all infrastructure, nor had access to newspapers or TV – then you begin to understand the excitement of the growing crowd, observing our preparations for Radio Ples Lain’s (mobile community radio station) first broadcast.

We’re in Halia, the constituency of Patrick Nisira, Vice-President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, and I’m training a small and enthusiastic team of young Papua New Guinean media professionals recruited and equipped with the assistance of Australia’s aid program.

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Officially launched by Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop in Arawa in December 2014, the Radio Ples Lain communication project aims to enable the government to provide its people with information about the Bougainville Peace Agreement, and preparations for the upcoming referendum – a referendum that will determine the region’s political status. It’s heavy material, but in the Bougainville way, a school choir arrives unannounced and we welcome them onto the show to sing a few songs they’ve been practicing since they heard we were coming. As the broadband-like grapevine spins into overdrive, the local magistrate and then the district police officer turn up and deliver crime prevention messages aimed at a growing youth population succumbing to dangerously powerful local homebrew and marijuana.

Later into the five-hour program, we open the lines for SMS and talk back. I’m astounded at the positive response. People far beyond our anticipated 30kms radio footprint are texting in with messages of goodwill for the project, and more importantly calling in with questions for the Vice-President which he’s even more delighted to finally get the opportunity respond to live on air.

Before the show ends, with our temporary village studio feeling more like a crowded Turkish sauna, two former combatants from the Bougainville Revolutionary Army arrive. They want to go on air and tell their story. It’s a good one. The Bougainville war from 1989 to 1998 drew many into armed conflict and many others lost their lives. But in the subsequent peace, some ex-combatants, like these two, are leading grassroot reconciliation processes critical if Bougainville is to have a chance at a peaceful and fair referendum. Their story will hopefully spread peace amongst tonight’s listeners and maybe motivate more to play a cooperative role in continuing peace and stability in Bougainville.

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As they do, it will be Radio Ples Lain’s job to travel around the region to capture and broadcast these stories, and assist an important dialogue among people, communities and government in the lead up to the referendum which is to be held within the next five years.

*Jeremy Miller, is an ACC Communications Specialist, who was on assignment with the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Bureau of Media and Communications. The Radio Ples Lain project and other communication initiatives with the Bureau of Media and Communications were funded through the Governance and Implementation Fund, a partnership between the governments of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was part of Radio Ples Lain’s broadcast in the former capital of Arawa during her recent visit to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Feb 25 2015

Bougainville 2015 Election News : Do you qualify to be Bougainville President or Member of the House ?

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CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS By JENNIFER NKUI Photo above : Election rolls preparation

Candidates intending to contest in this year’s ABG General Election are urged to consult the qualifying requirements for candidates before contesting in the election.

For details are below

91. QUALIFICATIONS FOR AND DISQUALIFICATIONS FROM ELECTION AS PRESIDENT

56. QUALIFICATIONS FOR AND DISQUALIFICATIONS FROM ELECTION

While issuing this call on Monday, the Acting ABG Electoral Commissioner George Manu stressed that this is to avoid court battles that may arise following the declaration of a candidate that is not qualified to contest in a particular seat.

He said intending candidates must come and check with us so we can advise you on what requirements you must fulfil before you can qualify to contest in the constituency, former combatants, regional women’s and presidential seats.

He then pointed out that according to the ABG Constitution, a member of the House of Representatives must not be less than 25 years of age and candidates intending to stand for election must also be qualified to vote in the elections of the Bougainville House of Representatives.

He added that in order to contest in one of the 33 constituency seats, a candidate must be a Bougainvillean and be a member of a clan lineage that holds land in the constituency for which the candidate wishes to nominate. Mr. Manu went on further saying the candidate must also have been in that constituency for at least five years immediately prior to nomination.

As for the regional seat for women, a candidate will be eligible to contest if she is a Bougainvillean and be a member of a clan lineage that holds land in that particular region that she will be contesting in. He said the woman candidate must also have resided continuously in that region for at least five years immediately prior to nomination.

And for those intending candidates for the three regional seats reserved for the former combatants, the requirement is that they must be a Bougainvillean and a former combatant.

The candidate must also be a member of a clan lineage that holds land in that region that he intends to contest and that he must also have resided continuously in that region for at least five years immediately prior to nomination.

On top of that the acting commissioner stated that the candidate’s nomination must be endorsed by twenty other former combatants from that region.

And in the presidential seat, the candidate must not be less than 40 years of age, is a Bougainvillean and is qualified to vote in the elections of the Bougainville House of Representatives.

According to the Bougainville Constitution, a Bougainvillean is defined as a person; • who is a member (whether by birth or by adoption according to custom by the clan lineage) of a Bougainvillean clan lineage (matrilineal or patrilineal) owning customary land in Bougainville; or • who is married (whether by law or custom) to a person regarded as a Bougainville; or • Who is a child one of whose parents is a Bougainvillean as per the above definition Intending candidates are advised to check with the Assistant Returning Officers or the regional returning officer to get more information on these requirements.

Below is an extract of section 56 of the Constitution of Bougainville that details the qualifications of candidates that are eligible to contest for the constituency, women and former combatants seats.

56. QUALIFICATIONS FOR AND DISQUALIFICATIONS FROM ELECTION.
(1) A member of the House of Representatives must be not less than 25 years of age.

(2) A candidate for election to the House of Representatives must be qualified to vote in elections to the House of Representatives.

(3) A candidate for election to the House of Representatives as a member referred to in Section 55(2)(b)(i) (establishment and composition of the House of Representatives) must be a Bougainvillean and –
(a) be a member of a clan lineage that holds land in the constituency for which he wishes to nominate; or
(b) have resided continuously in that constituency for at least five years immediately prior to nomination; or
(c) have been born in that constituency.

(4) A candidate for election to the House of Representatives under Section
55(2)(b)(ii) (establishment and composition of the House of Representatives) must be a woman and be a Bougainvillean and –
(a) be a member of a clan lineage that holds land in the Region (North, Central or South) of Bougainville for which she intends to nominate; or
(b) have resided continuously in that Region for at least five years immediately prior to nomination.

(5) A candidate for election to the House of Representatives under Section 55 (2)(b)(iii) (establishment and composition of the House of Representatives) must be a Bougainvillean and a former combatant (as that term is defined in Schedule 2 (meaning of certain expressions)) to this Constitution and –
(a) be a member of a clan lineage that holds land in the Region (North, Central or South) of Bougainville for which he intends to nominate; or
(b) have resided continuously in that Region for at least five years immediately prior to nomination,
and have his nomination supported in accordance with Section 58(1)(d) (mode of nomination) of Schedule 10 (electoral provisions relating to the first general election of President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government and members of the House of Representatives) or with the Bougainville law referred to in Section 106 (Bougainville Electoral Commissioner and elections generally).

(6) A person is not qualified to be a candidate for election, or to continue to be a candidate for election, referred to in Subsection (3), (4) or (5) if he has nominated in an election to be held at the same time, as a candidate –
(a) referred to in any other of these Subsections; or
(b) for the office of President.

(7) A person is not qualified to be, or to remain a member of the House of Representatives if –
(a) he or she is not entitled to vote in elections to the House of Representatives; or
(b) he or she is of unsound mind within the meaning of any law relating to the person and property of persons of unsound mind; or
(c) subject to Subsections (8) to (11) (inclusive), he or she is under sentence of death or imprisonment for a period exceeding three months; or
(d) he or she has been declared bankrupt by a court of competent jurisdiction and remains bankrupt.

(8) Where a person is under sentence of death or imprisonment for a period exceeding three months, the operation of Subsection (7)(c) is suspended until –
(a) the end of any statutory period allowed for appeals against the conviction or sentence; or
(b) if an appeal is lodged within the period referred to in Paragraph (a), the appeal is determined.

(9) The references in Subsection (8) to appeals and to the statutory period allowed for appeals shall, where there is provision for a series of appeals, be read as references to each appeal and to the statutory period allowed for each appeal.

(10) If a free pardon is granted, a conviction is quashed or a sentence is changed to a sentence of imprisonment for three months or less, or some other form of penalty (other than death) is substituted, the disqualification ceases, and if at the time of the pardon, quashing, change of sentence or substitution of penalty –
(a) the writ for the by-election has been issued – the member is not restored as a member of the House of Representatives and the by-
election proceeds according to law; or
(b) the writ for the by-election has not been issued-the member is restored as a member of the House of Representatives.

(11) In this section –
“appeal” includes any form of judicial appeal or judicial review;
“free pardon” means a free pardon granted under Section 151 (grant of pardon, etc.,) of the National Constitution;
“statutory period allowed for appeals” means a definite period
allowed by law for appeals, whether or not it is capable of
extension, but does not include an extension of such a
definite period granted or that may be granted unless it was granted within that definite period.

(12) Nothing in this section is intended to reduce any right conferred by Section 50 (right to vote and stand for public office) of the National Constitution, but it is the considered opinion of the People of Bougainville, expressed through the Bougainville Constitutional Commission and the Bougainville Constituent Assembly, that any restrictions imposed by this section are reasonable and are reasonably justifiable in a democratic society having a proper regard for the rights and dignity of mankind.

An extract from section 91 of the Bougainville Constitution detailing the eligible criteria for those intending to stand for the presidential seat.

91. QUALIFICATIONS FOR AND DISQUALIFICATIONS FROM ELECTION AS PRESIDENT.
(1) Until a Bougainville law made by an absolute majority vote provides otherwise, a President must be not less than 40 years of age.

(2) A candidate for election as President must be qualified to vote in elections to the House of Representatives.

(3) A candidate for election as President must be a Bougainvillean.

(4) A person is not qualified to stand, or to continue to stand for election as President if –
(a) he is not qualified or becomes disqualified, in accordance with Section 110 (right to vote) to vote in an election to the House of Representatives; or
(b) he is of unsound mind within the meaning of any law relating to the person and property of persons of unsound mind; or
(c) he is under, or becomes subject to, a sentence of death or imprisonment for a period of more than three months; or
(d) he is, or becomes disqualified from standing for election under this Constitution; or
(e) he is, or becomes, a member of, or a candidate for election or appointment to, the National Parliament, or to the House of Representatives; or
(f) he has already been elected as President on two occasions; or
(g) he has been declared bankrupt by a court of competent jurisdiction, and remains bankrupt; or
(h) he has nominated in an election to be held at the same time as a candidate for election as –
(i) a member representing a single member constituency under Section 55(b)(i) (establishment and composition of the House of Representatives); or
(ii) a woman member to represent the interests of women under Section 55(2)(b)(ii) (establishment and composition of the House of Representatives); or
(iii) a former combatant member to represent the interests of former combatant members under Section 55(2)(b)(iii) (establishment and composition of the House of Representatives); or
(i) if the election is an election for President under Section 58(5)(d) (recall of member of the House of Representatives) and the person is the person whose recall is the subject of the poll under Section 58(5)(c) (recall of member of the House of Representatives).

(5) Nothing in Subsection (1) is intended to reduce any right conferred by Section 50 (right to vote and stand for public office) of the National Constitution, but it is the considered opinion of the People of Bougainville expressed through the Bougainville Constitutional Commission and the Bougainville Constituent Assembly, that any restrictions imposed by this section are reasonable and are reasonably justifiable in a democratic society having a proper regard for the rights and dignity of mankind.

 

Feb 25 2015

Bougainville Development : New K8.25 Million roadwork’s Buka to Arawa -the economic and social lifeblood of this island

Arawa Roads

“Transport infrastructure is fundamental to the ongoing social and economic development of Bougainville and we are delighted to be able to fund these works and partner with ABG to improve the safety and reliability of the road network

Australian High Commissioner, Ms Deborah Stokes said she was proud to be able to support this project.

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Work has now begun on six kilometres of resealing works to support the essential road link between Arawa and the capital Buka. The project is funded by the Government of Australia.

This project falls under the Papua New Guinea – Australia Transport Sector Support Program and is part of Australia’s long term commitment to transport infrastructure in Papua New Guinea. Maintaining sections of the network such as this stretch is a vital part of keeping the road reliable, in good condition and reducing the lifetime cost of the road.

ABG’s Chief Secretary, Monovi Amani, was quick to highlight the impact that a well maintained road network has on the people of Bougainville. “The road between Kokopau and Arawa is the economic and social lifeblood of this island. Maintaining a reliable and safe road means a better chance for businesses and for our citizens to access crucial services.”

The K8.25m project will ensure that small businesses like the Rising Sun guest house in Arawa will be able to reduce operational costs with a well maintained road. “My business relies on the road to bring guests and goods to town. The condition of the road has a direct impact on my running costs; regular new tyres and vehicle maintenance can be very costly.” said owner Betha Lorenz.

The works contract has been awarded to local company Dekenai who have considerable experience working in this part of Bougainville and provide major employment opportunities for local workers. Resealing is expected to be completed by April of this year.

The resealing will start at the entrance to Panguna at Morgan Junction, providing two sealed PMV laybys next to the market area, and finish at the Tunuru turnoff. Australian High Commissioner, HE Ms Deborah Stokes was proud to be able to support this project. “Transport infrastructure is fundamental to the ongoing social and economic development of Bougainville and we are delighted to be able to fund these works and partner with ABG to improve the safety and reliability of the road network

Feb 22 2015

Bougainville Development News: Implementation of High Impact Projects accelerates in 2015:

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“The year 2015 will be an exciting year for Bougainville as more projects will be implemented throughout the Region as restoration and rebuilding continues”

Implementation of High Impact Projects in Bougainville accelerates in 2015:

The high impact projects funded by the Special Intervention Fund (SIF) as a conditional grant to Bougainville continues to gain momentum as the year 2015 begins.

Despite criticisms from different people with different reasons, the Joint Programme Management Unit together with the ABG Department of Technical Services and other relevant implementing agencies were able to mobilise projects after the firs…t K100million was released by the National Government in April 2014.

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In just eight (8) months (April-December 2014), Twenty one (21) projects out of twenty seven (27) projects to be funded under the SIF for 2013 and 2014 were mobilised in preparations for implementation and some were already in the implementation stages.

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These projects included the Aropa Airport Redevelopment Project which was completed on record time of two (2) months twenty (20) days and was officially opened by the Prime Minister Hon Peter Oniel and the ABG President Chief Dr John L Momis. The airport is now operational and taking in 3 flights a week .

The other projects which are currently being implemented are the Buka Ring Road Sealing (first 20kms from Malasang to Malis) , the Buka Town Sealing ( all the streets within the town area),

BUKA

the NBC Upgrade project which is will see the NBC Coverage extended throughout the whole of Bougainville by April 2015,

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The bridges along the West Coast of Bougainville (Nagam, Shuun, Dirty Wara) to be built by POGE Limited, Also the realignment of the Road in South West Bougainville.

The Arawa Town Road sealing will also commence in March 2015 and so it will be co-funded funded by SIF and DFAT through thier Transport Sector Support Program (TSSP). The same arrangement will be done for the Buin Town Roads which will also be upgraded and sealed this year. The outcome would be to have all three township ( BUKA, ARAWA, BUIN) roads upgraded and sealed.

The Kokopau to Buin Raod Sealing project is being divided into different sections. The sections include, Kokopau to Siara , Siara to Arawa, Arawa to Kieta , Kieta to Toimanapu, and Toimanapu to Buin. Implementation for sections from Kieta to Buin will be done in two sections…the first ones from Kieta to Toimanapu and the next section will start from Buin coming back to Toimanapu. Contracts for these two very high impact project estimated to be awarded soon.

The other programmes that have projects being implemented are the Bougainville Economic Feeder Roads Programme which already has 10 feeder projects awarded and are being implemented , and by the end of these month 4 more feeder roads around Bougainville will be awarded.

The year 2015 will be an exciting year for Bougainville as more projects will be implemented throughout the Region as restoration and rebuilding continues.

Guava Access Road in Panguna rehabilitated after 24 years:

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The Guava Access Road in Panguna , Central Bougainville is being upgraded for the first time after 24… years. The access road leads to Guava Village in the Mountain Ranges of Panguna which provides access for the people around those areas.

Villagers along that mountain range use the access road to transport thier cargos up to thier villages on foot for many hours. The project is under the Bougainville Economic Feeder Roads Programme funded by the Special Intervention Fund.

The contract was awarded to Nairobi Constructions, local company from the area. The rehabilitation of the Guava Access Road is a big relief to the Mothers and Children who most of the times carry thier cargos on and travel by foot back to the Mountains around the Guava Area.

Edwin Moses ,who is from the area and also the Managing Director of Nairobi Constructions thanked the Autonomous Bougainville Government and GoPNG for funding through the SIF and said that the project is all about “confidence building ” to the people from Panguna, especially the Guava Area.

 

 

And in other news

COE

COE’S GET TRANSPORT ASSISTANCE
By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG is strengthening its local level governments with transport support starting this year.
And today three TOYOTA LANDCRUISERs and several Boats were presented to the COE’s throughout Bougainville.…
Last week the KONNOU COE was presented a Toyota Open back to the chairman, ALOYSIUS MASIU to carry out peace building activities within the COE which is the biggest constituency on Bougainville.


AND today three TOYOTA land cruisers and boats were presented by the Bougainville administration. New Dawn FM understands this is the first time COE’s have been given vehicles and Boats to assist with their transport problems. During the Bougainville Provincial Government days all Community Governments had their own vehicles to carry out their work.

Feb 22 2015

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

Staff-discussion-on-editing-with-Maria-Laukai-taking-the-lead

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

New Dawn FM Bouganville Peace Agreement Awareness

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.

New Dawn FM Bougainville Peace Agreement awareness

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