NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

Forestry expert warns oil palm needs close study

By Aloysius Laukai

A Bougainvillean who is a senior forest officer based in Madang, Francis Hurara, has called on the Autonomous Bougainville Government not to introduce oil palm into the Torokina area without a detailed survey of the implications.

Mr Hurahura told New Dawn FM that Bougainville needs to study oil palm developments in West New Britain, Milne Bay, New Ireland and Popondetta before making a final decision about introducing the crop to Bougainville.

He said for Bougainville to prosper, the rainforest needs to remain and be managed so the rural population continues to benefit.

“Our forest is our bank and our supermarket,” Mr Hurahura said. “We should manage it so that future generations can also benefit from it.”

Mr Hurahura also quoted sections of the Bougainville constitution that are relevant to future development plans.

He said Section 23 talks about land and natural resources, Section 24 talks about development and Section 27 talks about environment and conservation, whilst Section 34 talks about partnership with churches and other organisations.

Mr Hurahura said as an educated Bougainvillean he had to comment on this issue as he does not want to be blamed later that he did not warn the ABG of this development in his field of expertise.

Bougainville is over-governed says businessman

By Aloysius Laukai

A local businessman Henry Onsa has called on the Autonomous Bougainville Government to abolish the position of Commissioners in the Bougainville Administration.

Mr Onsa says Bougainville is over governed and chewing funds that could be spent on development projects.

He told New Dawn FM that the positions of Commissioners were a colonial way of civilising society and that this time had gone.

He said that too much government was making the COE, the best form of government in rural areas, the poorest form of government.

Mr Onsa said, until such time the implementation agency of the government is properly equipped, people in the villages will continue to suffer from non delivery of goods and services.

CHM’s new program bonanza for New Dawn FM

By Aloysius Laukai

New Dawn FM this afternoon signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chin H Meen studios in Port Moresby to air four programs on New Dawn FM starting next Wednesday.

The 12 month agreement obliges Chin H Meen to provide four recorded programs and New Dawn FM is to find sponsors for the programs which will be broadcast each week.

The four programs are Niupela Hits to be aired between 3.30 and 5.30 Wednesday, CHM One Hundred Percent Hits to be aired between 4.30 and 6.30, CHM Hit Machine to be played between 11am and 1 pm Saturdays and Gospel Praise to be played between 10am and 12 noon Sundays.

New Dawn FM’s Manager, Aloysius Laukai, thanked Chin H Meen for choosing New Dawn FM as one of the few radio stations in PNG to air the programs.

He said New Dawn FM would use the program so the Bougainville people can get quality sound straight from the Chin H Meen studios in Port Moresby.

Mr Laukai Laukai thanked the Chin H Meen’s marketing consultant, Auburn Antonio Adraincem for making it possible for New Dawn FM to air these programs.

Because of copyright issues many PNG radio stations are not allowed to air Chin H Meen recordings.

Photo: New Dawn FM Announcer Sam Sawa [right] receives the new programs from Tony Auburn [Aloysius Laukai]

Agreement signed to get flagship back in service

By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville’s flagship, the MV Sankamap One, is expected to be refloated by August this year.

That was the assurance given to the Autonomous Bougainville Government by the ship’s new management at a meeting in Kokopo between the Minister for Commerce and Industry, Joseph Watawi, Rabweld manager Arnold Pa’asia and the managing director of the ship’s management company, Nakikus Konga.

Mr Watawi signed a memorandum of understanding with the two companies covering actions by thecompany to get the ship seaworthy, ready to serve the people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

President calls for more govt information

By Thomas Kathoa

The President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Hon James Tanis, has called on the communications division to provide more information about Government activities to the public.

Mr Tanis made the call during a briefing with former Communications Minister, Hon Robert Hamal Sawa and his staff.

Mr Sawa is now Minister for Peace, Reconciliation and Weapons Disposal, but the President has asked him to remain in his old portfolio for a little while yet.

Mr Tanis said the division seems to be concentrating only in setting up communication facilities and forgetting about disseminating government information to the public.

He said the division of communications should strive to improve the dissemination of information to the masses. People must be told what the government is doing.

He said major government decisions, like tax collection by village assemblies, should be communicated to the people.

Tax awareness workshops for Buka, Arawa

By Aloysius Laukai

The manager of the GST Office in Buka, Robert Perakai, has said the office of the Internal Revenue Commission will be conducting tax awareness workshops in Buka and Arawa next month.

Mr Perakai said on New Dawn FM that the IRC office will run the workshops at the Kuri Village Resort conference room from 1-5 June.

He said the awareness workshops are free and he has asked all business houses to attend them.

A tax awareness workshop for Central Bougainvillewill be held in Arawa on 4 June at the Arawa Women’s Training Centre. The Arawa workshop is a one day workshop.

Tari denies allegation of stolen police uniforms

By Aloysius Laukai

Well known ex combatant and Buin businessman, Thomas Tari, has denied allegations that his group had broken into the Buin police station and removed police uniforms.

The allegations were made last week by the Commander of Wilmo, Philip Busua.

Mr Tari told New Dawn FM that Buin police were investigating the incident and Mr Pusua’s statements were “immature”.

He said that, since the reconciliation ceremony between himself and Damian Koike, peace is slowly returning to Buin.

Mr Tari called on Mr Pusua to join the Buin peace process and reconcile with Damian Koike’s group instead of pointing fingers.

He said he was prepared to work with the two groups for the sake of peace in Buin and the rest of Bougainville.

Criminals must not be allowed to roam free

By Aloysius Laukai

A relative of a man killed in Tinputz has appealed to Buka Police not to release hardcore criminals to roam the streets of Buka.

Julian Tavi made these remarks at the reconciliation ceremony of the people of Tinputz and Paruparu at the Buka Police Station last week.

He said many times Buka Police release hardcore criminals and they roam the Buka streets as if they were not criminals.

Mr Tavi said killers and rapists must be sent straight to Kerevat and must not be allowed to run around as free people.

He said Police must adhere to these criticisms and make sure these people are kept inside until the courts clears them.

Mr Tavi said that people often question why such people are left loose on the streets.

He said these people are dangerous and if let loose can do anything.

Tax collections approved for Councils of Elders

By Aloysius Laukai

The President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Hon James Tanis, has announced that the Bougainville Executive Council has approved the long awaited head tax rule, meaning that all established Councils of Elders can now tax citizens of the province.

This rule makes it legal for all Councils of Elders to collect head taxes.

Mr Tanis said the approval was made in accordance with Part 10 of the Bougainville Council of Elders Act 1996 subsection 2 of the Council of Elders Head Tax (Enabling) Act 2006. He said he was happy to announce that the rule has been approved to enable the collection of much needed taxes.

Earlier this month, Buka Combined Council of Chiefs chairman, Joseph Gatana, questioned why the ABG was slow in approving the collections.

Mr Gatana said Councils in Buka had been waiting patiently for approval so they could finalise budgets and other policies to raise funds from head tax and trade store licences.

New Dawn FM understands this now puts to rest questions of the legality of Councils of Elders collecting head taxes.

K1,500 in prizes for Bougainville rugby tourney

By Aloysius Laukai

Rugby union teams are gearing up for the Tsitalato Rugby Union Tournament scheduled for Friday and Saturday next week. The two day tournament will be held at Hutjena Oval.

A competition organiser Francis Tony told New Dawn FM that team registration closes on Wednesday. Mr Tony called on teams to register before Wednesday. The registration fee is K50 per team. The draw will be made on Thursday in preparation for the first game on Friday.

Mr Tony says K1,500 will be paid to the competition winners – K700 for first, K500 for second and K300 for third.

For more information on the competition you can call Mr Tony on B Mobile 6791602 or Digicel 71628466

Teams throughout Bougainville can take part in the competition.