090811momis condolence
By Aloysius Laukai
ABG President, Chief John Momis today sent his condolences to the families of the two foreign nationals(believed to Chinese) who are still missing confirmed to have drowned in a boat mishap at Laruma point off Torokina, West coast of Bougainville.
The two chinese were among seven passengers travelling in a 40HP 23 FT Banana boat from Buka to Torokina on Wednesday August 2nd,2011.
Five passengers were PNG Nationals (four Bougainvilleans and one from Gulf Province).
The passenger from Gulf Province is believed to be an employee of one of the Chinese Nationals, who operates a Gold and Scrap Metal buying business in Lae, Morobe Province and who was travelling to Torokina to buy scrap metal.
“This is an example of foreigners coming to Bougainville without the government’s knowledge, so we do not know that they are here until accidents like this happen, and there is nothing the government can do” said the President.
A search party of locals dispatched by the Bougainville disaster office failed to locate the bodies of the two foreigners and the search has been called off.
In the meantime arrangements are being made to inform the families of the two missing persons.
In conveying his condolences to the families of the two foreigners, ABG President JOHN MOMIS warned foreign nationals visiting remote areas of Bougainville of the risks involved due to lack of proper transportation and the need to be aware of such risks when travelling to outlying districts.