NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

090119FUNDING SLOWING PREPARATIONS SAYS, GEORGE MANU

NEW DAWN FM NEWS

Preparatory work for the Bougainville Referendum scheduled for June 15^th this year is been hampered by lack of funding by the National Government says the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner and a member of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, GEORGE MANU.

MR GEORGE MANU told a news conference today that because of the funding problem the Bougainville Referendum Commission cannot start work on the preparation work for the referendum.

He said that OBEC has done common roll update in parts of Central and North Bougainville and is yet to get into South Bougainville.

MR MANU said OBEC has done some preparation work with the FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA contribution from the ABG to Bougainville Referendum Commission.

He said these funds have been depleted and they are just waiting for more funding from the ABG to complete the common roll update.

MR MANU said funds promised by the National government totalling TWENTY MILLION KINA has not been received and even the first instalment of ONE POINT FIVE MILLION KINA paid to NCOBA has not been remitted to the Bougainville Referendum Commission.

The Bougainville Electoral Commissioner said that BRC requires these funds to come quickly so that work can start.

He said he was confident they can prepare Bougainville for the referendum once the funds are released to them.

MR MANU said without the necessary resources, BRC cannot do much.

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Momis Refutes claims by Lera
New Dawn FM News
180119

ABG President Grand Chief Dr John Momis has refuted claims by Regional Member for Bougainville Joe Lera over claims of misuse of funds by the government.

According to President Momis, Mr Lera’s statement is not only misleading and insensitive but also show his ignorance on the funding arrangements under the Bougainville Peace Agreement

Under clause 149 of the BPA the National Government is required to provide the ABG a) recurrent unconditional grants, b) restoration and development grant (RDG), c) specific purpose conditional grant (such as the police grant) and d0 a one of establishment grant (which was paid in 2005).

The Restoration and Development Grant (RDG) was instituted to help finance the restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the infrastructure and services destroyed during the conflict.

The acquittals that Mr Lera made reference to are reported through the normal financial reporting processes; annual financial statements and quarterly reports to the National Department of Treasury.
However since 2017, the ABG has been reporting to the Treasury on a monthly basis on the use of these funds.

Contrary to Mr Lera’s assertion that the ABG has nothing to show for the millions of Kina received from the National Government since 2005, the ABG has achieved a lot with the little funding that it received from the National Government.

Education and health services has been fully restored, the ABG has passed many important legislations such as its own Mining Law, there is gender equity in the community governments, setting up the Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee which is an independent entity that is responsible for recruitment and foremost amongst these the ABG has progressed stability through weapons disposal and referendum readiness within its constituencies.

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180119FIDELIS SEMOSO SAYS AUTONOMY HAS NOT DELIVERED
New Dawn FM News
The ABG member for Tsitalato, FIDELIS SEMOSO says Autonomy has not delivered to the people of Bougainville and must be rejected by the people of Bougainville.
Speaking at the Opening ceremony for the Bougainville Yumi Wan festival in Buka yesterday, MR. SEMOSO said that the people of Bougainville enjoyed glory days under the Provincial Government system and has totally reversed under the Autonomous arrangement negotiated to create peace and prosperity for the people of Bougainville.
MR. SEMOSO said over the years under autonomy, Government services all over Bougainville have deteriorated and there seems to be no improvement coming in the near future.
The member for Tsitalato told the people of Bougainville that because Autonomous arrangement has not succeeded on Bougainville it’s now time for the people to reject autonomy in the coming referendum.
He said that the people of Bougainville have quietly suffered under autonomy in the last fifteen years.
The member called on the people to vote ONE HUNDRED PERCENT for Independence to finally break free into the future.

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180119NORTH BOUGAINVILLE POLICE APPEAL
NEW DAWN FM NEWS
The Acting Commander for North Bougainville Police, Chief Sergeant JOHN POPUI is appealing to the people of Bougainville not to take the law into their own hands but report to Police for assistance.
The Commander made these appeal after Police attended two cases on Buka island this week.
Commander POPUI said Police are working on a case of a man who was stabbed at MALIS village and died on the way to the Buka Hospital.
The deceased was from HAHALIS village and when his relative retaliated they burned three houses and destroyed food gardens at MALIS village.
Commander POPUI said the case was now in Police hands and wants the people to remain calm and let Police work on the case.
Chief Sergeant Popui also reported one incident in which a man committed suicide after arguing with his wife in Haku.
He has also appealed to the people not to take their own lives when they have arguments with their families.
Commander POPUI said that the people must resolve their problems with families because problems no matter how difficult they are can be solved.

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180119TONSU EASTER SPORTS COMPETITION
New Dawn FM News
The Tonsu Constituency is again gearing up for the TONSU Easter Sports tournament that was originally planned for the Christmas and New year but deferred to Easter 2019.
Sports Chairman, PASTOR JOE HAUN revealed this to New Dawn FM today.
He said all teams that were registered are requested to register again for this competition.
Pastor HAUN said that because of the changes, registration fees that were paid last year were returned to the various Sports Clubs.
He said they need to register again for this competition.

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ABG Progress Slow but Sure
New Dawn FM News
180119

Despite the lack of funding the Autonomous Bougainville Government has continued to develop and make steady progress.

Despite its constraints the government has made gradual progress on its referendum preparations.

Since the National Government cannot honor its commitment it is high time there is an intervention from the international community.

ABG President Grand Chief Dr Momis said he must state it clearly that the ABG is vigilant against any foreign incursion that seeks to destabilize and compromise the outcome of the referendum.

He said the ABG is only looking to garner international support for our promulgation that the people of Bougainville deserve to determine their future through a democratized process.

The ABG also resounded the call for the National Government to fully honor its commitment as it is duty-bound under the double entrenchment clause of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

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170119COMMANDER ISHMAEL TOROAMA CHALLENGES LEADERS
New Dawn FM News
Former BRA Strongman and Businessman, ISHMAEL TOROAMA today called on the leaders of Bougainville not to let the people of Bougainville down as we approach the referendum that is a one off chance for the people of Bougainville to move forward into a prosperous future.
Speaking at the YUMI WAN festival opening, MR. TOROAMA said that he does not want to see the people of Bougainville fund to finance the Bougainville Referendum as suggested by some leaders.
MR. TOROAMA said we have elected leaders who must make sure they have funds for the referendum and not to pass the buck to the people for their failures to see this coming up.
He also thanked leaders like the late FRANCIS ONA for closing the giant PANGUNA Mine within ONE YEAR SIX MONTHS and for the late KABUI for negotiating that the people must decide their future in a democratic referendum.
MR. TOROAMA then called on the people of Bougainville to vote now on behalf of our forefathers who have longed for freedom for Bougainville ONE FINE DAY.

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170119 SEMOSO CALLED FOR BOUGAINVILLE LEADERS TO SPEAK UP
New Dawn FM News
The Deputy ABG Speaker and member representing the women of North Bougainville in the ABG, FRANCESCA SEMOSO today called on the leaders to talk straight about the Bougainville referendum.
Speaking at the Opening ceremony of the Bougainville Yumi Wan festival, Member SEMOSO said that she wants the leaders to talk about the future of Bougainville.
Member SEMOSO said that she was the only ABG member with the member for SELAU JOSEPH WATAWI who continue to tell the people to vote for Independence.
She said when leaders are not saying the word they are only confusing the people on how they will vote come referendum day.
The deputy Speaker said that Bougainville leaders have talked about secession from the 18th century and there is nothing to fear for when talking about it.
And it is guaranteed in the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
The member thanked the women of Bougainville for coming out again in force for the Yumi Wan festival.

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170119LERA SAYS PEOPLE MUST PUT THEIR MARK FOR BOUGAINVILLES FUTURE
New Dawn FM News
The Bougainville Regional member, JOE LERA today called on the people to forget their differences and unite for Bougainville’s future.
Speaking at the Opening of the Bougainville Yumi Wan festival in Buka today, MR. LERA said I cannot force you to vote on a choice but you must be aware of what you should vote for in the referendum.
He said that the people of Bougainville have fought and died for the future of Bougainville and he expects every Bougainvillean to vote wisely.
MR. LERA commended organizers of the Bougainville Yumi Wan Festival for organizing the people from all over Bougainville to unite and participate in musical activities to talk about the Referendum.
He said that awareness can be done in many ways and does not need a lot of monies.
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170119THREE DAYS YUMI WAN FESTIVAL OPENED
New Dawn FM News

The three-days Bougainville Yumi Wan festival was officially launched by the Regional Member, JOE LERA at the BEL ISI PARK this afternoon.
The festival which was started three years ago aims to unite the people of Bougainville to prepare for the Bougainville Referendum and focuses on different ways of passing the awareness to the people by Music, Dances and drama.
The festival was dedicated to GOD by the Bishop of Bougainville His lordship BISHOP BENARD UNABALI who was one of the leaders present at the opening ceremony.
Speakers were former BRA General and now businessman and musician, ISHMAEL TOROAMA, Deputy Speaker FRANCESCA SEMOSO, the Member for Tsitalato, FIDELIS SEMOSO and the Regional member himself.
The ceremony started with the women peace builders marching around the streets of Buka town before going to the Stage at the Bel Isi Park for the ceremony.
New Dawn FM will continue to cover the three-days festival until Saturday.

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160119HAKENA APPEALS FOR PEACE IN BUKA
New Dawn FM News

The Director for the Leitana Nehan Development Agency, HELEN HAKENA today appealed to the people of Buka not to take the law into their own hands but let Police handle any problems that occur in the communities.
MS HAKENA made these call after several houses were burnt at MALIS village at the weekend following the death of a man from the area.
She told New Dawn FM that the women and children are not safe again in the communities.
MS HAKENA mentioned another killing that took place at SUHIN village and is calling on the people to stop all this nonsense in the name of Peace for Bougainville.
She said this year is a very important year for Bougainville and the people must not let this opportunity slip from us by disuniting the people.

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