NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

Dialogue will determine if Panguna mine re-opens

By Keith Jackson

Bougainville’s President James Tanis says he will not tell the people of central Bougainville that they must reopen the Panguna copper mine.

Speaking during a visit by Paul Coleman, Bougainville Copper’s company secretary, Mr Tanis said he would have nothing to do with the decision to reopen the mine.

He said his role as President was to act as a facilitator, and not to direct or force BCL or other parties concerned to reopen the mine. He said the mine’s future will be decided by BCL and the other parties concerned.

Mr Tanis said that before the issue was discussed, peace and normalcy must prevail on the island.

Mr Coleman was invited by the ABG president to establish a dialogue with all parties involved in the crisis.

Meanwhile, three major reconciliation ceremonies will be held this month in central Bougainville, the first one on October 16 at Panguna.

PNG’s deputy prime minister Sir Puka Temu will attend all three ceremonies.

The ceremonies will coincide with the official opening of the President’s offices in Arawa.

Arawa business show planned for next week

By Aloysius Laukai

The business community of Arawa, Bougainville’s former capital, is gearing up for a show that is scheduled for 9-10 July.

The two-day show is to help people promote and market locally produced products to possible buyers and interested people in Arawa.

According to organising committee member, Chris Korokoro, people will marketing locally produced furniture , baskets and mats, woodwork, metalwork, carvings, pottery, music and food.

Mr Korokoro told New Dawn FM that his committee has been trying to assist local producers to market their products and the Arawa business show will be the biggest event so far.

He called on interested people who want to display their products to register with the organising committee.

Contact Chris Korokoro at Arawa Carpentery, Michael Tukaku at Bougainville Earthworks or VSA volunteer, Nita McNeil, on mobile 7622 0079.

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.