NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

Some more pics

Speaker Andrew Speaker addressing crowd in Buin

180613Tari Challenges AbG
By Aloysius Laukai

The chairman of the South Bougainville Veterans Association THOMAS TARI today challenged the ABG President and Bougainville leaders not loose focus of Bougainville's sight.

He was speaking at the Buin celebration this morning.

MR TARI also called the ABG members living in Buka to return to their constituencies and serve their people. The former commander said that the people in the rural areas are in total darkness as there is no awareness going on to inform the people on the work of their government.

He said that the people need to know what is happening before they can support their government.

ends

ABG President welcomed by students to the stage

Students from Tabago Primary School performing at the Buin celebrations

180613Buin Celebrates
By Aloysius Laukai in Buin

Celebrations for the ABG Day in Buin has started with heavy downpour that disturbed the March to the stage.
17 Schools participate in the parade despite the downpour.
The celebration

180613WAKUNAI CHIEFS WANT ABG HEADQUATER
By Aloysius Laukai

Chiefs from the Wakunai district yesterday called on the ABG Speaker and the ABG President to move the ABG Parliament to Wakunai where they say there is huge of land and also is more central from both North and South Bougainville.
Speaking at the Wakunai celebrations chairmen’s of both RAO and Terra COE offered land to the ABG to quickly move its Capital to Wakunai.
They said that the Capital should not be moved into its former town of Arawa as there is alot of land issues to be addressed there.
In his response the ABG Speaker, ANDREW MIRIKI said that he will take up their request with the ABG President, DR. JOHN MOMIS for the parliament to further discuss their offer.
MR. Miriki said that this was the first offer by the people on this issue which has been outstanding for a long time.
Meanwhile, the ABG President, DR. JOHN MOMIS while accepting their offer said that the issue of Capital for Bougainville will be decided by the people of Bougainville.
DR. MOMIS explained that the Bougainville Constitution clearly states that the Capital for Bougainville will only be decided during an election in which all Bougainvilleans must vote.
He however said that the ABG was also working to make sure that we develop growth centres in all districts to allow development to take place in all districts.
DR. MOMIS said that infrastructures and other activities should be spread to the districts to avoid people moving into one district and creating Squatter settlements as experienced in Arawa and Kieta in the past.

Ends

Wakunai Dancers presenting their item during yesterday's celebrations

180613TANIS ON BOUGAINVILLE DAY
By Aloysius Laukai
Former ABG President JAMES TANIS has joined the rest of Bougainvilleans to mark Bougainville Day to commemorate the attainment of Autonomy on June 15th, 2005.
MR. TANIS who was one of the leaders who was heavily involved in the negotiations and also who worked under all the three leaders during and after the conflict told New Dawn FM from Australia at the weekend that he wanted to wish the people of Bougainville happy celebrations.
MR. TANIS also called on the people to continue and support the ABG President DR. JOHN MOMIS to make sure that the dream for Bougainville is realised.
MR. TANIS during the crisis worked with FRANCIS ONA and at the start of the Bougainville People’s Congress worked under JOESPH KABUI and under the Interim Bougainville Provincial Government also worked with DR. JOHN MOMIS.
He told New Dawn FM that he had just completed his studies at the University of Australia and was ready to return to Bougainville and contribute to Peace building and development on Bougainville.
MR. TANIS said that the struggles by the people of Bougainville will finally come to an end and wants the people to support their government, ABG which is the vehicle that will make their dream come true.

ends