NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

080524 JSB Finally held in Port Moresby today
New Dawn FM News

The Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) between the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) was held in Port Moresby today.
According to ABG President Hon Ishmael Toroama in his speech, the issue on the table is the ratification of the referendum results.
“Ratification is a word used by the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) is the final step in a deal made with the Government of Papua New Guinea fifteen years ago.
“The outcome of the referendum shall be subject to ratification (final decision-making authority),” he says.
The last JSB meeting was held on the 30th of July 2023 by which two ministers responsible had to develop the sessional order which decided would be the appropriate pathway to bring the referendum results to the parliament.
Minister for Bougainville Affairs Hon Manasseh Makiba and ABG Attorney General Hon Eziekel Masatt were tasked to develop a sessional order and resolve three key issues relating to that task.
These included 1) the required voting majority necessary to support the decision of Parliament; 2) the number of sittings required to deliberate on the matter; 3) the secret voting option put forward by GoPNG.
Toroama added that the only provision in the Constitution was section 342, the process of consultation between two Governments over the implementation of the referendum results and the series of steps necessary for the matter to be considered by Parliament.
“Tabling of the referendum results in Parliament; the decision of the Parliament and lastly the notification of the Bougainville Government of the decision of the Parliament.
“Captured in the BPA made with GoPNG over the outcome of the referendum; and it was on basis of this promise by the National Government to bring the matter of ratification in the Parliament,” he adds.
President Toroama in his speech thanked the Prime Minister Hon James Marape for meeting with his government since the last JSB meeting on the 30th of July, 2023. ENDS////

Benefit sharing arrangement of BRL

160623 Foreign investor owns sixty percent and forty percent to ABG
New Dawn FM News

The Bougainville Refineries Limited will now share-holding agreement as sixty and 40 percent ownership with the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
According to the Minister for Commerce, Trade Industry and Economic Development Hon Patrick Nisira, the foreign owned company applied as a 100 percent ownership in 2021 under the inward and outward investment project.
However, Nisira said through negotiations between the ABG government and foreign investor had settled for a 60 & 40 partnership, which he is proud to be part of.
“Sixty percent owned by the foreign investor and forty percent owned by the ABG government and people of Bougainville,” he stated.
Nisira thanked Joshua Heathcote and his team for reaching an amicable understanding for way forward.
The Bougainville Refineries Limited Board of Directors, Kent Jensea, Joshua Heathcote and Jonathan Kenneth.
Secretary of Department of Commerce, Trade Industry and Economic Development Alex Kerangpuna applauded the effort of the Toroama-Nisira government in reaching today, share-holding agreement at Kubu, today.
He expressed this partnership is way forward into fiscal capacity building for ABGs independence Economic Recovery. ENDS////AK

160623 Bougainville Refineries Limited Signs Landmark Shareholders Agreement with Autonomous Bougainville Government
New Dawn FM News
In a historic move signaling a new era of economic growth and mutual benefit, Bougainville Refineries Limited (BRL) is delighted to announce the signing of a share-holders agreement with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and its governmental entities.
This milestone marks the commencement of a significant partnership, one that aims to bring about transformative change to the socio-economic landscape of Bougainville.
The agreement stands as a testament to BRLs commitment to fostering sustainable development in communities where it operates.
“We are currently excited to embark on this venture with the Autonomous Bougainville Government and its governmental entities,” said the Directors of Bougainville Refineries Limited.
“This accord does more than just attract international investment- it serves as a catalyst for economic growth.
The partnership agreement sets a precedent for shared growth and mutual respect between industry and government, paving the way for further investments in the region.
It signifies a new approach to resource management, where economic success is directly linked to the welfare and growth of the local communities.
The future of Bougainville looks increasingly bright as this partnership promises to yield positive ripple effects across the region and beyond.
It stands as a model for the possibilities that can emerge from shared vision, collaboration, and responsible business practices.
With this agreement, Bougainville Refineries Limited reaffirms its decision to creating a positive impact and contributing to the lasting progress on Bougainville. ENDS////AK

160623 ABG GOVERNMENT SIGNS HISTORIC SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT WITH BOUGAINVILLE REFINIERIES LIMITED
New Dawn FM News

The Autonomous Bougainville Government in a historical ceremony signed a shareholder agreement with New Investor, Bougainville Refineries Limited.
Minister for Commerce, Trade Industry and Economic Development Hon Patrick Nisira, Secretary Department of Commerce Alex Kerangpuna, Deputy Secretary Trade Missions Raymond Moworu and Bougainville Refineries Limited Board of Directors witnessed the signing today.
Bougainville President Hon Ishmael Toroama says the signing will act as the cornerstone and pillar for Bougainville to venture into hype for Bougainville’s independence.
Toroama says the importance of shareholding arrangement is better because we can actually see from outset how a foreign investor can operate and how the government will utilize its share and make it work for the people.
He states that as the region progresses, he also faces challenges.
“People says I have interests in this but I want to be straight, my interest is purely for the people of Bougainville.
“As President and Vice-President and fourteen Govt Departments to realise the dream of economic independence.
“This is one project that will give highlight and assurance to our foreign investors coming into the region,” he stated.
Toroama also stated that the 40percent shareholding of the ABG government; 10percent Independence aspirations, 10percent to go to the region’s sovereign wealth-fund.
The government will have to deliberate on how the other 20percent will be used.
Toroama is adamant that the establishment of the sovereign wealth-fund will support the regions effort in its fiscal viability into the future. ENDS///AK

140623 ABG WILL NOT ALLOW FOREIGN INVESTORS WHO BREACH ITS LAWS
NEW DAWN FM NEWS
The Autonomous Bougainville Government will not allow foreign investors on Bougainville to breach its laws to exploit its people and resources.
Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama made this statement following the Bougainville Executive Council’s decision to refuse the mineral license applications by joint-venture entities involving Wyndale Holdings Pty Ltd and its local partners.
The Bougainville Executive Council (BEC) is the authority on Bougainville that grants mineral exploration license applications upon advise from the Bougainville Mining Advisory Council.
The first application was for a mineral Exploration License over Eivo/Torau areas and the second was an application for an Artisanal Mining License over the Jaba middle tailings to lower tailings areas.
For the Eivo/Torau areas the BEC made the decision to refuse to grant an Exploration License to Paruparu Joint Venture Limited (PJVL); PJVL is a joint venture involving Wyndale and local company Karatapo Resources Limited.
President Toroama also announced that the BEC has also endorsed the decision by Mining Minister Robin Wilson not to grant an Artisanal Mining License to Bakeuroro Joint Venture Limited (BJVL). BJVL is a joint venture between Wyndale and local company Bakeuroro Investment Limited along the Java mid tailings to lower tailings areas.
Wyndale is a private Australian company with links to Australian Mr. Nickolajs Zuks who claims to have been issued mining licenses by the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
President Toroama revealed the government’s decisions were purely based on application of law, wherein the applicants failed to meet the application requirements provided for under the Bougainville Mining Act 2015.
President Toroama warned that the ABG will not be entertaining companies and individuals who use duplicitous means to exploit Bougainville’s mineral resources.
The President further cautioned investors to be wary of being misled by and that the ABG will not be held liable for loses incurred as a result of fraudulent misrepresentations.
Ends////

211022 BOUGAINVILLE PARLIAMENT PASSES SUPPLEMENTARY BILL 2022
NEW DAWN FM NEWS
The Bougainville House of Representatives this afternoon passed the Supplementary Appropriation BILL 2022 which was presented to the house yesterday by the ABG Minister for Finance and Treasury and member for North Nasioi, HON MATHIAS SALAS.
The supplementary bill was introduced to re-appropriate funds available to the ABG after the National Government through its supplementary budget cut the ONE HUNDRED MILLION development grant to the ABG by half to only FIFTY MILLION KINA.
The bill approved is for the remaining months to the close of Business in December with another budget for 2023.
The total amount although most were already used on budgeted programs totaled to FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY THREE MILLION, SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED KINA.
The ABG Supplementary budget was finally approved and passed by the Bougainville House of Representatives after lengthy debate which was carried live on Radio Bougainville and New Dawn FM.

Ends

251021PRESIDENT MAKES MINISTERIAL RESHUFFLE AFTER ONE YEAR
NEW DAWN FM NEWS

The ABG President, Honorable ISHMAEL TOROAMA has thanked members affected by the first Ministerial reshuffle for accepting these changes.
Speaking at the swearing in ceremony of three Ministers in Buka, PRESIDENT TOROAMA said he was happy to make changes where he wants to see progress as Bougainville is moving towards independence.
He said it has been very challenging for him in the first year of his government.
The three Ministers are, new minister for Public Service and member for LULE constituency in Buin, Honorable JOSEPH MONA, the Minister for Health and former Police Minister, Honorable THOMAS TARII and the former Minister for Public Service and member for BABA, EMMANUEL CARLOS KAETAVARA who is the new Minister for Police.
They were sworn in by the Bougainville’s SENIOR PROVINCIAL MAGISTRATE, MR.BRUCE TASIKUL.
The President said that he had to make some changes in the best interest of the people so that they can be able to enjoy some benefits whilst we continue to maintain stability of this government despite the many challenges that we continue to face daily.
He acknowledged the contribution of the outgoing Police Minister and the short time that the outgoing Public Service Minister performed as an indication that all Departments and their Ministers working together can achieve a lot for Bougainville.

Ends

290721 SEARCH FOR MISSING BOAT WITH SIX PASSENGERS SCALED DOWN
NEW DAWN FM NEWS
The search for the missing boat with six Passengers including a ABG Minister has been scaled down after the search which involved Boats, Ships, Planes and a Helicopter failed to sight the boat no any debris from the missing Boat.
The Boat with seven Passengers left for Nissan from Buka on 17th July and failed to arrive at their destination resulting in the activation of the search program.
The search was scaled down this week Tuesday 27th July 2021 but the Disaster team will still be on alert for any sightings.
ABG President, Hon ISHMAEL TOROAMA told a press conference in Buka that it was with great sorrow that the search was scaled down because of a number of reasons.
That fie search and rescue response have gone past the emergency search and rescue timeframe of 48 to 72 hours. The search and rescue operation has been going for more than 72 hours.
Recovery and rehabilitation phase comes in after 72 hours to 7 days.
However. The team will be on alert to recommission search party should there be sightings of missing persons in water or properties that could be from the mishap boat.
The emergency search and rescue commission into the mishap at sea about 200 to 300 meters from Nissan Island are as follows:
1. Only one survivor swam to safety at Pinipel Island between 9 and IOpm on Sunday 18• July. The survivor was transported to Nissan District Health Centre and was later brought to Buka General Hospital on the Manalos helicopter on Tuesday 20th July at 4pm.
2. There was no other passenger found from the missing boat and
3. Only one bag was identified and confirmed by relatives as belonging to the missing boat.
ENDS

060721 PRESIDENT TOROAMA SAYS BOUGAINVILLE CAN COMPROMISE TO 2027 ONLY.
NEW DAWN FM NEWS

The ABG President, Honorable ISHMAEL TOROAMA has told the Opening ceremony of the JOINT SUPERVISORY BODY meeting in WABAG this afternoon that the ABG can compromise up to 2027 only.
He said that in the Kokopo consultations, you equated the referendum results to Mt Wilhelm which is the highest mountain in PNG. The Bougainville team proposed 2025 at the Kokopo consultations.
I am aware that your Technical Team has subsequently suggested a timeline to the ABG of “no earlier then 2025 and no later then 2030”. We propose a compromise date of “no later then 2027”.
The date 2027, is in line with your statement in Kokopo. If this compromise proposal is rejected, Bougainville will revert back to 2025 as stated in Kokopo.
I request that the two of us take leadership control of this agenda and give clear instructions to the technocrats.
MR TOROAMA also told the Prime Minister, the reluctance in using the word “Independence” by the PNG side.
He said that this was a denial of historical facts that have taken place over the last 32 years.
He stressed that the Bougainville war was for independence with 20,000 lives lost, the Independence word is in the Bougainville Peace Agreement, the independence word is in the amendments made to the PNG constitution, the independence word was made available in the Referendum options, the independence word was jointly defined as Sovereignty and the independence word became the majority result. It is against the spirit of the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the amendments in the PNG constitution to now bury the independence word at this late hour of our journey.
ENDS