NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

030513 Foreigners to heed ABG laws
By Tapo Tovilu

Many foreign companies especially Chinese are breaching the constitution by running trade store and kaibar business in town.
President Momis clarified that under the business partnership arrangement foreign business should not partake in small business activities but large scale business activities.
He added that those currently in breach will be given notice to stop or will face the full force of the law.
Momis warned that the government is prepared to take action on those business houses who fail to comply with ABG laws.
Momis also made a strong call to those foreigners who are operating in Panguna without the ABG’s knowledge.

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300513 Momis confirms new passenger ship for B’ville
By Tapo Tovilu

President Chief Dr John Momis has confirmed that Bougainville will soon have its very own passenger ship to services between PNG and Bougainville.
He revelled this during an interview yesterday while correcting false accusations made against the ABG in its work with outside investors.
In particular accusations calming that the proposed new Passenger vessel will be owned by Sir Henry Chao, owner of the famous snax biscuit company.
President Momis made it clear that in regards to the ownership of the ship it would come under the joint partnership of the ABG and Sir Henry Chao.
He says that both the ABG and Sir Henry Chao put in K7m each meeting the cost of the new vessel K14m which is currently still under construction in China.
Momis added on also that other MOU’s signed by the ABG delegation that visited China in 2010 have no legal or financial implications on the ABG and are just understandings signed.
He says that though these MOU’s Bougainville can seek assistance and guidance in developing industries to boost its economy.

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300513 ITI school in Bougainville
By Tapo Tovilu

The proposed Information Technology Institute Buka branch will be commencing classes in June as soon as their facilities are completed.
This was according to Simon Koraikove from the Office of the Regional Member in an interview with New Dawn FM News.
He says that they have already secured a building in Kokopau where renovations are currently underway and are expected to be completed before June.
Mr Koraikove confirmed that classes will commence in June with materials such as computers yet to come from Port Moresby.
He also added that after all preparations are completed an inspection will be carried out by ITI Principle Sentheyval Kumaran.
He assured the first intake already registered that all preparations are on schedule and that classes will begin on time.

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290513Bagana affects Torokina
By Tapo Tovilu

The disaster office today reported that food gardens and water sources of the people living near the Bagana Volcano especially in Torokina were destroyed by ash fall.
But as of two days ago reports say that ash fall around the area has slowed down giving an opportunity for relief supplies to be delivered to affected areas.
Franklin Lassie from the disaster office confirmed that a total of 13 families were affected by the ash fall from the Mount Bagana Volcano.
He further added that 3 staff members from the disaster office in Buka will be traveling tomorrow to Torokina with relief supplies such as makeshift tents, food and water supplies.
He also revealed that the ABG will be assisting the families affected through the disaster office with funding for adequate food supplies to help the affected families.
Mr Lassie thanked those on the ground at the time of the disaster adding that their quick actions the disaster office carry out its relief work.

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290513 New Penalties imposed by Government
By Tapo Tovilu

After parliament siting yesterday the PNG National Government passed the laws of the Death Penalty for crimes such as rape and sorcery related killings.
The controversial penalty of Death which was a hot discussion point during the months that lead up to the passing of the laws, was strongly backed by women’s groups who were at many times, the victims.
From a source in the National Newspaper, the criminal code act (Amendment Bill 2013), which was passed on a voice vote, repelled the Sorcery Act 1971.
The death penalty will apply for crimes such as aggravated rape, sorcery- related killings and robbery with violence.
Now the NEC will decide on which method of execution which will be used on the death penalty.
The list includes;
1. Hanging
2. Lethal Injection
3. Medical Death by deprivation of oxygen
4. Firing Squad
5. Electrocution

ENDS

290513 Tinputz to have women’s forum
By Tapo Tovilu

Four Village assemblies in Tinputz will be organizing and will carry out governance forums from women in the area.
Tinputz, Kosinamohin, Raosara, Namatoa and Tinputz Coastal Village Assemblies have been selected and will be taking part in these governance forums.
These forums to be organized and coordinated by NGO Care International aims at providing adequate information on governance and also to identify the barriers to participation and later develop strategies.
After the forums a district forum will be held in August to gather all information to help find a way forward at a district level.
The programs will be held between the 30th of May and the 4th of July in the selected areas mentioned.

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290513Buka Police Clean up Buka Buai Market
By Tapo Tovilu

Acting Police Station Commander for Buka Police Station Sgt Amet Tsimes in an interview today called on people using the Buka Buai Market to refrain from using it as a place to sell homebrew.
His comments comes after four mothers from the Solos area in Buka were caught and arrested by police after a raid on the Buka Buai Market yesterday.
Sgt Tsimes made the call to mothers also to not use the market as a place to spend the night;.
He says that this is not the first time the call has been made adding that people are stillignoring calls from the police.
Sgt Tsimes also made a strong call to the appropriate authorities to fence off the Buka Buai market area so that mothers and others refrain from using it as a hostel or homebrew selling area.

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290513 Prison Break at BPS
By Tapo Tovilu

Ten high risk prisoners in the early hours of Monday morning broke out of the Buka Police Station holding cells.
The ten prisoners from the areas of Buka, Tinputz, Keriaka, Siwai and Bana District escaped by cutting through the prison bars of their cell blocks at the Buka Police Station.
Acting Police Station Commander Sgt Amet Tsimes today told New Dawn FM news that he believes that an object was smuggled into the cells by visitors and was used to cut through the cell bars.
He says that they have already notified head stations in Central and South Bougainville of the incident calling on them to be on high alert for the escaped prisoners.
Sgt Tsimes made it clear that the imposed search carried out by police on visitors to the cells may have its shortfalls as there are many ways in which one could conceal an object.
While answering questions on how secure the Buka holding cells were, Sgt Tsimes revelled that a recent renovation was carried out by a local contractor and the level of security was boosted up to a satisfactory level.
He however pointed out that there is still a lot of work to be done on improving security in the Buka Police Station Cells.
Sgt Tsimes assured the public that they are working toward recapturing the escaped prisoners and called for their support and cooperation.

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280513 Ramazon hydro project update
By Tapo Tovilu

The Ramazon Hydro project in the Suir Tinputz area of North Bougainville is still on hold due to disputes on the land borders where the project site will be.
In another meeting held last week Thursday at the Tinputz station, the two disputing clans who are currently disputing the land boundaries of the project had a chance to face each other and to also come up with a resolution.
During the meeting however words were exchanged but no resolution was agreed to.
This has resulted in the mediation being handed over to the Law to be decided in the Court of Lands to be held at a later date at the Buka Court House.
A source told New Dawn FM today that talks on the land and the boundaries surrounding the project area are progressing and a decision will be given soon.
He added that the project will be the first of its kind for the people of Suir and Tinputz and says that this has all come out of the peace and reconciliations efforts paving the way for development in the area.
The source also warned that it would be a shame if the project funding organisations pull out and leave them with nothing if the disputes continue.
He continually called on the leaders and the people of these areas to quickly sort out their differences for the project to begin and the benefits of the project to be felt by all.

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280513 Bana leaders speak out
By Tapo Tovilu

Leaders from the Lato constituency in the Bana district have all come out openly on issues affecting them such as lawlessness, immediate steps to restore peace, security, reconciliation and the rule of law in the area.
This was revelled in a meeting held on the 22nd of May attended by House of representative leaders, former leaders, leaders of ex-combatants, chairman and executives of the Lato Constituency and civil society leaders of the Bana district.
In the meeting the leaders of the three constituencies in the Bana District resolved to put aside their differences and to come together to restore normalcy in the area.
The meeting they say has enabled them to come together and begin work in cooperation and good will in solving their issues.
In a press release today it was revealed that after the joint meeting the five resolutions reached included;
1. That the speaker of the ABG House of Representatives includes their petition on the calling for the step down of current member William Lavabau, in his column in the parliamentary monthly newsletter “the members update”.
2. That their accusation of the members involvement in the practice of sorcery already to be left out and filed to the Ombudsman commission.
3. That all leaders in the area work together in phase two of their agreed plan of action which is mediation.
4. That the government provides financial support for communities to carry out phase two mediation processes.
5. And finally that the members of Lato Constituency return to conduct an awareness on the current progress of phase two mediation to their people.
The members have assured the people of the Lato Constituency that they will work together with their leaders calling on people and especially the ex-combatants and the youth in giving them the support to commence and carry out mediation and reconciliation in the area.

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