Panguna landowners agree to reconcile & move on

By Aloysius Laukai

The people of Panguna have shown their true colours by establishing a committee to fast track the conduct of an election for the Panguna Landowners Association.

A meeting of landowners with the Autonomous Bougainville Government at the weekend decided to set up the committee of seven men and two women to work quickly on the election of the Association.

The meeting was organised by the office of the ABG President, James Tanis, so a policy submission can be made to the Bougainville Executive Council covering the reconciliation process at Panguna and, eventually, the entire Autonomous Bougainville region.

Many landowners were vocal on the need to implement reconciliation before the election. Women leaders wanted reconciliation to be given priority.

After a lengthy session, the meeting agreed to simultaneously implement reconciliation and the preparation for the election.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for the people of Panguna to get first hand information on how the ABG was working, with the Minister for Natural Resources and Panguna landowner, Dr Benedict Pisi, the Minister for Primary Industries, Dominic Itta, and the Minister for Public Service and Telecommunication, Robert Hamal Sawa presenting their departments’ outlook.

Comments

[Aloysius Daveona]

Bougainvillian's trek on the long road to peace has started - Agreed.
All Bougainvillian's have vested interest in Panguna - Agreed.
Bougainvillian's died during this crisis - Agreed.
Bougainvillian's should be compensated - Agreed, especially those who died.
Bougainvillian's are on the road to where you want to go...It just takes time. We will eventually get to where you want to go.
It's good though that BCL is looking back on what it's created and is making a move in the same direction as Bougainville.

He said: "This will hopefully include ex-combatants and others." - Please note that "other" are also mentioned.

We have to make peace first with ourselves before we can go to BCL and have them compensate "all" Bougainvillians for lives lost.

THEY WILL EVENTUALLY PAY. All Bougainvillians will ensure they do.

Aloysius Daveona

[Carter]

The long road to peace will progress & will continue as many Bougainvilleans desire and support. However, in pursuit of peace, war compensation must be seen as an essential component. Reconciliation without war restitution, em samting nating, isn't this the culture of Bougainville. There must be some proactive talk about the 20 000 plus lives who have perisheh.
BCL must show some corporate responsibility in this area.
Panguna is no longer owned by the so called Panguna Land owners - Panguna is owned by all Bougainvilleans - our blood have spilled.

Bougainvilleans are more politically educated today.

[Aloysius Daveona]

What is so annoying about Bougainvillians benefiting from a bad situation?
The people are working towards peace now.Isn't this what is happening now, with the efforts of both government and ex-combatants on both sides?
I was in Arawa early January 2010 and witnessed a peace ceremony to that effect, instigated by Ismael himself.
Bougainvillians ARE already on the long road to peace and are making ground. Your comments do not help this process which many bougainvillians have worked towards.
We need positive, constructive and uplifting input.
YES, the past had it's cause and effect.
Get with the program, everyone else has.
We (Ex-combatants, Government and most importantly - the people) are all working towards a future Bougainville.

And also, grow some, and print your name at the bottom of your comment.

Aloysius Daveona

[Carter]

This sounds annonying.
First and foremost BCL must pay for all the deaths( 20 000 Plus) who lost their lives during the Bougainville crisis. Fix first things first - war restitution.
Talk about mine opening- This is direct insult many cultures in Bougainville when the blood of many Bougainvilleans are still crying for justice from the four corners of Bougainville.
Yupela buyim ol man pinis? What an insult?

[Aloysius Daveona]

Love this and I hope EVERYONE benefits.

Aloysius Daveona

[Lawrence Daveona]

Aloysius,

This is great. Keep it up. Full support.

Ljd

[Axel G. Sturm]

BCL boss promises new jobs for ex-combattnts
_________________________________!

Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) wants to invest more than 11 billion kina into the abandoned Panguna Copper Mine, BCL Chairman Peter Taylor has said at the company's annual general meeting in Port Moresby.

It plans to create 2,500 new jobs on the ground. There also will be more than 10,000 jobs in small businesses in and around Central Bougainville.

The European Shareholders of BCL (ESBC) asked Mr Taylor if he also intends to employ former freedom fighters in order to prevent possible dissatisfaction.

He said: "This will hopefully include ex-combatants and others."

If you want to find out more about BCL's planning and Taylors's answers to the 32 questions ESBC put to him, you can read all the documents here: http://bougainville-copper.eu/pageID_7060841.html

Mr Taylor also faces environmental problems due to the uncontrolled closure of the mine twenty years ago.

He said: "Access to the site is required before an assessment of the safety and environmental issues can be made. The company will work with the ABG and the landowners addressing environmental concerns." That sounds good!