NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

280211 VEHICLE OVERTURNS
By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville Police have reported that a Government Plated vehicle belonging to Bougainville Regional Member, FIDELIS SEMOSO overturned at a curve near Hangan village near the Hutjena Government Station on Buka island.

The vehicle was travelling at high speed when the driver failed to negotiate the curve.

The driver who was the only one on board, escaped from the scene soon after the accident.

Police visited the crash site and found the vehicle with all wheels in the air.

Buka Police are investigating the incident.

280211 CONMAN HUNTED
By Aloysius Laukai

Meanwhile Buka Police are looking for a Professional Conman who stole a Boat on false pretence.

The man identified by Police as PETER PEKA dressed in Police uniform conned a boat owner from Kereaka that his boat was needed by Police for a special operation around Bougainville.

He was told that the boat would be returned once the mission is completed.

According to Police report the owner willingly gave the boat to the conman and has not seen it since.

Police has also received reports that the suspect is trying to sell the boat across the border in the Solomon Island.

Authorities in Solomon Islands have been informed to be on the look -out for him.

280211CONCERT ENDS
By Aloysius Laukai

The Bougainville Peace and Unity Musical Concert ended last Saturday with all 35 bands receiving certificates of participation.

The concert attracted bands from South Bougainville, Central and North Bougainville.

According to the initiator, MARCHELLIN GETSI , they hope to host another big one in April this year.

He thanked all participants for their contribution towards peace building through music.

MR. GETSI also thanked sponsors and the public who made the show a success.

The concert was Liquor and Drug free .

280211 DROUGHT HIT ATOLLS
By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville’s Atolls islands of Catrets, Nissan, Nuguria, Motlock and Fead are in dire need for food and water due to the long dry spell these islands are going through in the past three months.

Chairman of the Caterets COE, BENARD TUNIM told New Dawn FM at the weekend that his people have been hard hit by the drought and could not hang on further.

He said that he has approached the officers from the Bougainville Administration including the local disaster office but they have no funds to assist.

MR. TUNIM said that the fact that the island is not serviced by a regular shipping service the people cannot really help themselves.

280211tunim on Resettlement
By Aloysius Laukai

The chairman of the Carterets COE BENARD TUNIM wants the ABG to fast-track the Carterets Resettlement program by allocating funds.

He said that the resettlement program was moving at a snail pace due to lack of financial support from the government.

MR. TUNIM also questioned where funds allocated for the program has gone to.

The COE chairman made these comments when commenting on the NGO Group TULELE PEISA for their efforts in securing funds for the program.

He said without the efforts of TULELE PEISA the Tinputz resettlement program could not have started.

MR TUNIM also thanked the Catholic church for allowing them to resettle on their Tinputz Plantation land.

280211PIHEI’S FUTURE
By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG Minister for Community Development, Women, Youth and Churches, ROSE PIHEI wants all Bougainville families to take part in meaningful economic activity.

The Minister was speaking at the official closing of the Bougainville Peace and Unity Musical concert last Saturday afternoon.

She said that she was working on including Music with other activities like sports so that our people are given the opportunities to expose their talents.

MRS.PIHEI called on parents to make sure their children are brought up properly and not left to wander around like no one cares for them.

She said that peace and harmony starts from the home and parents as the first teachers must play their part in making sure that kids grow up well.

The minister called on parents to be role models and not to show bad examples to their children.

240211 WE WANT WOMEN SINGERS
By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville’s women must be encouraged to actively involve in the vast developing music industry of Bougainville.

This was the message made by several speakers at the Official Opening of the Bougainville Peace and Unity music concert in Buka yesterday.

The ABG member for Hagogohe, ROBERT HAMAL SAWA and the UNDP Special Advisor, ANTHONY AGYENTA also called to see more women participants in the music industry in future.

They said that women can really come out as professional musicians if they have the will to do so.

New Dawn FM understands that several Bougainville women have already come out as musicians and actors in locally produced music.

240211 LEADERS CONTRIBUTE FOR PANGUNA
By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville leaders this week made pledges and commitments to fund the activities of the Panguna Landowners in preparation for the Bougainville Copper Agreement Review.

From the THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA Commitment made by the Regional member, FIDELIS SEMOSO he presented a FIFTY THOUSAND KINA Cheque as his first contribution.

The ABG Acting President also renewed his earlier commitment of THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA as ABG’s contribution.

He explained that now the ABG has received the much politicized FIFTEEN MILLION KINA funds they will make the payment soon.

AND the member for Central Bougainville, JIMMY MIRINGTORO also pledged FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA towards the same cause.

The member for South Bougainville is also expected to make some financial commitment as the Lower Tailings group come under his South Bougainville electorate.

240211 PANGUNA LANDOWNERS UNITE
By Aloysius Laukai

The Panguna Landowners have shown again that they are united and want to move the Bougainville Copper Agreement Review as soon as possible.

Reports from a meeting held in Arawa on Tuesday between the Acting ABG President, PATRICK NISIRA and the Regional member, FIDELIS SEMOSO says that the Landowners want the process to move forward.

Both leaders told the landowners that only Panguna can raise the revenue needed to get Bougainville prepared for the referendum.

The landowners’ meeting was held to find ways to resuscitate Bougainville’s economy which was destroyed during the Bougainville conflict.

240211ONSA WANTS PANGUNA FASTRACKED
By Aloysius Laukai

A Buka businessman, HENRY ONSA wants the PANGUNA COPPER agreement review fast-tracked.

He told New Dawn FM today in Buka that only Panguna can truly assist the people of Bougainville in terms of employment opportunities and real economic development for Bougainville.

MR. ONSA said that other proposed impact projects like the Chinese investment on Bougainville will not benefit the majority of Bougainvilleans.

The Buka Businessman said that the invasion of Chinese Business to Bougainville will only kill the local business activities currently operating in the region.

He said that Bougainvillean Businesses do not have the financial capacities to invest Millions of Kina for a joint venture.

Meanwhile MR. ONSA also called on the ABG to help the Bougainvillean companies to beef up their capacities.