NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

060523President Toroama announces passing of South Bougainville Veterans Member Hon. Thomas Tari
New Dawn FM News

It is with great sadness that I officially announce the passing of the Late Hon. Thomas Tari, Member for South Bougainville Veterans in the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

The Late Hon. Thomas Tari had been unwell for sometime before succumbing to his illness late last night.

The Late Hon. Thomas Tari was currently serving his second term as the Member for South Bougainville Veterans before his untimely passing. He was the Minister for Police and then the Minister for Health in my government. Due to the state of his health I decommissioned his tenure as a member of the Bougainville Executive Council early this year to allow him to concentrate on regaining his health.

Hon. Thomas Tari was a Bougainvillean patriot and a true son of the Revolution. During the Bougainville conflict he served as Commander of H Company in the Bougainville Revolutionary Army’s Southern Command.

The Late Hon. Thomas Tari provided steadfast leadership following the 1996 BRA assault on Kangu Beach and the capture of PNG Security Forces prisoners of war (POW). He was responsible for the humane treatment of the POW’s and the negotiations with the National Government delegation led by the Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Late Sir Peter Barter, Late Michael Laimo and Grand Chief Dr. John Momis for the release of the POW's.

The release of the POW’s by the BRA hierarchy gave effect to the 1997 Burnham Declaration and played a pivotal role in the peace process that followed.

On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Bougainville I offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of the Late Hon. Thomas Tari and the people of Buin and South Bougainville.

Rest in Peace my Comrade in Arms.

Hon. Ishmael Toroama, MHR
President

170921 CORONERS INQUEST INTO MISSING BOAT
NEW DAWN FM NEWS/Press

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has made a formal request for a Coroner’s Inquest into the disappearance of the ABG Minister for Health and Member for Nissan Constituency Hon. Charry Napto.

Mr Napto and his wife and son are amongst six persons who went missing at sea on July 17th of this year on a boat that was travelling to Nissan Island from Buka Island.

In the last two months the ABG Disaster Directorate together with the Joint Rescue Coordinating Centre, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Aviation and the PNG National Maritime Authority have exhausted every means possible in their Search and Rescue (SAR) attempts.

Per SAR protocols the recovery and rehabilitation phase comes in after 72 hours to 7 days after which all SAR activity for the missing persons were gradually scaled down.

Following allegations of foul play on the ill-fated boat, the Bougainville Police Service were tasked with investigating the case that has resulted in the apprehension of several suspects.

Whilst the investigation by the BPS is still ongoing the ABG has requested the Coroner’s Inquest to be conducted within the mandatory six-month period after the date of the boat was declared missing.

The inquest will inquire into the cause and the circumstances of the disappearance of the missing persons and to determine whether the missing persons are dead or still alive.

The inquest will also examine evidence to be presented by persons who will give relevant evidence pertaining to the boating mishap from which the Coroner will hand down their decision.

Pending the inquest President Ishmael Toroama has urged the general public to refrain from creating further speculation until such time the Coroner concludes the matter.

“I understand that there are aggrieved parties with a vested interest on the matter but I ask that the law and the legal process be respected at this time,” President Toroama said.
“Any action to pervert the course of justice will not be tolerated by the government nor the police,” President Toroama added.

“Minister Napto is a Bougainvillean leader and a peace builder. His memory and those that are missing with him must not be dishonored by elements who wish to capitalize on this tragedy. We must let the law take its course to allow justice to prevail,” President Toroama said.

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080721PRESIDENT STOPS UNNECESSARY COST INCURERS
NEW DAWN FM NEWS

The ABG President, Honorable ISHMAEL TOROAMA has started putting a stop to unnecessary spending in the Bougainville Government.
Speaking at the special welcome at the BEL ISI park this afternoon, MR. TOROAMA said that all Government vehicles must be left in the offices after the close of business daily starting today.
He said since he took office he does not come to town after hours and wants to see the stop to unnecessary use of vehicles after hours.
President TOROAMA said that he had being informed by some sources that officers from the Finance office have been asking for Ten percent commission for approving payments and he wants these practice to stop immediately.
He said these activities were not helping the development of Bougainville and must be stopped immediately.
MR. TOROAMA called on the people to be patriotic and contribute something towards their motherland, Bougainville.

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090721PRESIDENT CONCERNED AT SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITIES
NEW DAWN FM NEWS

The ABG President, Honorable, ISHMAEL TOROAMA yesterday warned that if Bougainville is given the power, they will ban Facebook and other social media platforms as they continue to promote issues that are not good for the region.
He said Facebook and other social media platforms are places where people with fake names continue to create issues that can create disunity in a post conflict area like Bougainville.
The ABG President made these comments when addressing the people at the BEL ISI Park yesterday.
He also called on the citizens to contribute to the development of Bougainville and not just continue to remain stagnant at one place.
He thanked those who are helping by contributing in their small ways in their communities.
The President said that the time will come when their government will be able to assist them.

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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.
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Toroama Promotes Youth SME’s
Office of the President
271020

The Autonomous Bougainville Government will embark on creating economic opportunities through SME’s for youths on Bougainville.
ABG President Ishmael Toroama said that youth capacity building and leadership in Small to Medium Enterprise on Bougainville is a focus of his government.
“It is in principle a good way of encouraging local enterprise however it has its fall backs particularly with youths since SME’s are intended to provide support for existing business only,” President Toroama stated.
The President revealed that the ABG will be looking at ways to establishing a small pool of funds to provide individual or youth groups with small startup capacity to boost SME’s within Bougainville’s youth population.
President Toroama also said that the opportunities for changing Bougainville are limitless but significant headway cannot be made until the economy improves.
However, the President has encouraged the youths to use their innovative ability to find solutions to problems at all levels of Bougainville societal Bougainville.
“Some leadership skills can be learnt in the classrooms but most leadership skill is acquired in the school of hard knocks or what I call the University of Life,” the President said.
“The more you exercise within your youth circles and beyond, the more you will be confident as a leader,” he added.
While encouraging economic growth in Bougainville, President Toroama’s focus on the youths is to establish control, law and order and promoting good governance.
He said that over time the movement of youth leaders into the adult socio-economic and political circles often leaves gaps in institutional capacity and youth associations often find themselves having to start again.
“My challenge to the youths of Bougainville is that you need to find a way of addressing the transfer of leadership skills and experience to the next generation of youth leaders,” President Toroama said.
So far the ABG’s Department of Community Development in partnership with the UNDP has worked towards strengthening the capacity of the youths on Bougainville.

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Toroama Challenges Youths
Office of the President
271020

Bougainville youths have been challenged to maintaining and sustaining the region’s political journey to independence at various levels of Bougainville’s society.
ABG President Ishmael Toroama issued the challenge today during the Bougainville Regional Youth Forum at the Kuri Resort.
“It is pleasing to know that you have forums such as this through which you get informed on developments on Bougainville and contribute to policy making,” President Toroama said.
“Most importantly your role as youth leaders in your respective regions places a special responsibility in influencing not just the political level but also at the community level,” President Toroama added.
President Toroama further encouraged active involvement by youths in upholding law and order as well as peacebuilding and promoting good governance in the communities.
He added that the interest in peacebuilding and good governance is related to law and order and must start at the community level.
“Youths are the leaders of tomorrow so you must start engaging in political decision making; it is important to note that parliament is one of many avenue of influencing political decision making,” the President said.
Other avenues include having audiences with the respective members of the Bougainville Parliament, COE’s and the third tiers of government on Bougainville.
President Toroama also encouraged the youths to realize the importance of healthy youth development through spirituality and responsible living by abstaining from bad behavior.
He reminded the youths that good behavior is strongly linked to personal values and how it is reflective on a broader scale in societal Bougainville.
The President said that he realizes that there is much to be done to curb social problems on Bougainville and has also encouraged the leadership to assist the youths with this problem.

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Toroama on RDG
New Dawn FM News
231020

The Autonomous Bougainville Government will be pursuing all outstanding issues from the last government in the Joint Supervisory Body.
Foremost amongst these is the outstanding Restoration and Development Grants that are owed to Bougainville by the National Government.
The national government time has relapsed on its commitment to meet its constitutional obligation to pay the increments of the RDG since 2005.
This relapse caused friction between the ABG and the National Government over the last ten years as the Momis led ABG argued over the correct calculation of the RDG payments which had remained at only K30 million.
The issue was resolved through an independent United Nations sponsored entity that calculated the amount to be in the vicinity of over K600 million.
President Ishmael Toroama said that these grants are owed to Bougainville as per the Bougainville Peace Agreement and is bound by the constitution of PNG.
He said the ABG will be raising this issue with the Prime Minister when the two leaders meet next month.
President Toroama also said that he is looking forward to the next JSB, which is his first as President, next year in January.

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Warren Confrontation Unlikely
New Dawn FM
221020

President Ishmael Toroama will not commit to an all-out confrontational approach when dealing with the notorious Warren the Black Pussy from Aita, Wakunai District.
President Toroama said he refused to draw a line on the issue because this would create a precedent for dealing with other conflict areas on Bougainville.
The President has maintained his stance on the peace by peaceful means approach which he vowed to abide by during his declaration address.
In relation to the recent roadblock by Warren, the President expressed his disappointment at leaders from Aita who assured him that they would have the matter handled.
President Toroama also questioned the resolve of the Aita leaders as to why the Warren issue has intensified instead of being quelled by the leaders of the area.
He urged the people not make things hard for the police but to cooperate with them and the authorities to resolve the issue.
Toroama stressed that it was not only the responsibility of the Police to uphold the law but it was the social responsibility of every Bougainvillean.
He remained steadfast that this was a law and order issue that will be dealt with by the Bougainville Police Service.

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President clarifies SOE orders
New Dawn FM News
221020

The extension of the COVID – 19 State of Emergency is to secure the wellbeing of Bougainvilleans despite complaints on its rationality.
President Ishmael Toroama said the rise in casualties from abroad by the global pandemic was a cause for alarm.
He added that it is imperative that the health of the people is protected at all cost through the measures in place by the SOE orders.
He urged Bougainvilleans to comply with the SOE orders and to be responsible for their health.
President Toroama assured Bougainvilleans that the new SOE orders would be more relaxed than the initial orders enforced when the virus outbreak began in China early this year.
The new orders will adapt to the nationwide new normal scenario with more flights coming into Bougainville and schools returning to normal as well as business being allowed to operate again
However, this will all be done within the COVID – 19 protocols still in place on social distancing and encouraging personal hygiene.
The President said despite complaints by people on the COVID – 19 measures, if the virus were to reach Bougainville shores many of the detractors would be the first to blame the government so the SOE will still remain in force.

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