NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

281123 Pais appeals to Kebau
New Dawn FM News

As the President of the Bougainville Veterans Federation, every member voted into the Bougainville House of Representative have a tendency to forget the veteran members association or federation.
Joe Pais expressed these sentiments during the declaration of the duly elected member for South former combatant.
“I want to make it very clear today. The veterans seat is a very special seat and I was also one of the people who took part in crafting the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA 2001).
“Former Veteran Members are not looking at us as a special group of people.
“That special seat caters for Veterans nor are they keeping us in consideration to our association or federations.
He stressed new member elect must represent the veterans and deal with issues concerning the veterans.
Pais raised concern to veterans in every constituency and secondly, to regional veterans organization association and probably the federation by which I am president.
He added you will provide;
Medical attention to veterans who are in need;
Widows welfare
He objects to Member representative spending funds in their constituencies and not into the regional association/ federation organization.
“I hope our member elect can get some information on this issue. We have come this far and the federation would be deemed a failure on the part of looking after the welfare of our members.
However, it should be a collaborative effort from ABG Government, Members of the Constituencies and federation. ENDS///AK

271123 Kebau wins
New Dawn FM News

Member elect for the South Bougainville Former Combatant seat was declared newly elected member after the 12th exclusion.
The elimination of candidate box 10 Michael Laita with 2,539 votes was distributed between remaining candidate box 22 Philip Kuhena and box 23 Robert Kebau.
From the 2,539 votes Philip Kuhena collected 231 progressive total of
3,820.
Kebau on the other hand collected 430 votes adding to his progressive total of 5,749.
The Exhausted ballots of 1,335 votes, absolute majority of 4,786 votes.
“I, Chris Toke as the ARO South declare newly elected member for South Bougainville former combatant seat November 25th, 2023,” says Toke.
Toke says fourteen candidates took part in the South former combatant by-election.
Despite OBEC office being closed prior to polling, the candidates were very supportive.
“Not once did the candidates complained to OBEC for not attending to them,” he says.
He thanked the candidates who ran for the by-election for being patient, understanding throughout the by-election.
Toke says since nomination, polling, counting and declaration thanked everyone who participated through the former combatant seat.
“At the end of the day there can only be one winner,” he added.
He also applauded the dedicated staff of OBEC team.
Present at the declaration included President of Bougainville Veterans Federation
Bougainville Police Southern Command Prichard Hakombari, BPS PSC John Popui and New Dawn FMs MD Aloysius Laukai
He further thanked all service providers in South Bougainville who supported the by-election.
He says he had experienced the recent South By-election former combatant the most difficult due to outstanding payments and running of the election.
But sincerely thanked everyone who participated and supported the by-election one way or the other. ENDS////AK

271123 Kebau has big dreams
New Dawn FM News

I have a big dream to unite all former combatants in Bougainville. Firstly, in Konnou, Markis, Rule, Baubake, Torokina, Siwai and Bana says newly elected Member for South former Combatant Robert Kebau.
During his maiden speech at the declaration ceremony Kebau says ‘I want to see Peace and Unity become a reality in Bougainville.
He says this can be achieved if we all work hand in hand.
“We must change our ways and thoughts now. If are not talking about independence we must stand up now.
“We must lay our cards down and our hats down,” adds Kebau.
He stated that we have a big issue currently in our midst; the law-and-order issue.
He further added everyone must work together to make a change in South Bougainville.
And more so to contribute to the Toroama-Nisiras’ government aspirations to its people for a free independent Bougainville.
He thanked the people of Konnou, Wisa and Tonolei community government and former combatants for the support given to their member elect.
He appealed to all former combatant from Torokina, Bana, Siwai and Buin to continue to work together.
“Lets get united with the National Government Member of Parliament in Bougainville, ABG government, Constituency Members, Womens group and other relevant stakeholders.
“I have only one year and a half year to go before the next ABG general elections,” he adds.

Kebau also thanked the Bougainville Police Service for providing security and the OBEC officers and causal staff on the ground for a successful election.
“We climbed mountains, crossed rivers, floods and this is where we are now.
He also thanked his fellow comrades and intending candidates
“We must settle the big issue for Bougainville where we are fighting to grow a good Bougainville. Together we can,” he added.
Kebau called on the eleven candidates to work together in partnership.
The community of Mamaromino; women, children and chiefs and our Member Hon Jacob Toke.
He thanked his supporters and service providers support during the election.
He stated that the situation was tense however, all candidates worked towards a common good for everyone during the by-election.
Kebau welcomed also the President of the Bougainville Veterans Federation Joe Pais.
“As the leader of veterans now, let us all unite and to all we must humble ourselves. I salute you (former combatants) for the work you have made since 1988,” he added. ENDS///AK

271123 OBEC COMMISSIONER RETURNS WRIT FOR SOUTH BOUGAINVILLE FORMER COMBATANTS SEAT
NEW DAWN FM NEWS
The Acting Bougainville Electoral Commissioner, DESMOND TSIANAI this afternoon returned writ for the South Bougainville former combatants byelection to the Assistant Speaker, HON CHARLES KAKAPETAI at the ABG Parliament house.
MR. KAKAPETAI had the honor to accept the writ on behalf of the ABG Speaker, SIMON PENTANU and his Deputy MS KAETAVARA who are out on duty travel.
MR. KAKAPETAI told the small gathering that he was happy that the election was completed without incident.
He said that now all vacancies in the house have been filled with the declaration of MR. ROBERT KEBAU as the duly elected member for South Bougainville former combatant’s seat which was vacant for more than six months.
MR KAKAPETAI also announced that MR KEBAU would be sworn in this Thursday ahead of the December Parliament sitting in which he is expected to give his maiden speech to the ABG House of Representatives.
The return of writs was facilitated by the Clerk of Parliament ROBERT TAPI and his Deputy PETER TOPURA.
Ends

231123 Ninety-two nurses not on payroll
New Dawn FM News

Ninety-two nurses working across health centres and aid posts in rural Bougainville are not on the payroll.
Minister for ABG Department of Health Hon Dennis Lokonai highlighted this during the second Tanamalo Community Health Worker Training College graduation.
He says similar to other departments, ABG health department also has its own challenges.
Lokonai says today the health administration only runs operations with 355 staff alone which means 715 are NOT recruited due to funding constraints.
“There is a total of 1060 positions according to health structure because Department Personal Management (DPM) has not created funded positions,” says Lokonai.
He added the Department of Personal Management and Administrative Services is responsible for recruitment of employees into the public sector.
“Level of funding is very low of which K40 million cannot cater for every position available,” he added.
Lokonai says the current Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) continues to face financial constraints due to lack of funding.
He says as the government progresses forward and the economy picks up then we can be able to recruit as many public servants as possible.
Lokonai says the mere K30million collected as internal revenue is not enough compared to the once Panguna Copper mine and other projects which generated over K500million in tax alone.
He encouraged the local people of Haku Constituency and other Bougainvilleans who travelled from Central and South Bougainville to work hard to grow the local economy.
Moreso, this thrust into the economy can also bank roll Bougainville’s aspirations of being an independent state.
“These are challenges I face as a minister and will continue to face until Department of DPM and Health Secretary find a way forward,” he added.
Lokonai says despite these all nurses and health workers are encouraged to work despite the reality of our government system. ENDS///AK

231123 More than twenty CHW graduate
New Dawn FM News

More than twenty students graduated from the Tanamalo Community Health Worker Training College second graduation ceremony today.
The event coincided with the ribbon cutting opening the forty men dormitory to house the students for 2024 intakes and ablution blocks.
The dormitory holding two occupants a room is designed to cater for female students and newly built ablution blocks.
Department of Technical Services Director Corporate officially handed keys to the ABG Department of Health Hon Dennis Lokonai.
The school campus flooded with families, friends and the neighboring communities to witness the occasion.
Cultural and contemporary activities including dance and song was the highlight of the day.
The special awards was given to highest grade point average student topping theory Charlene Smith, top clinical student who showed outstanding practical skills Michaelyn Kakata, best improved Edward Kolias and best citizen to another female student.
Also present included Minister for Education Hon Thomas Pata’aku, Education Deputy Secretary Mary Remi, Director Public Health Vincent Momia, Member for Haku Hon Patrick Koles, Member for Peit Constituency Hon Bernard Bobos and North Veterans Former Combatant Callen Tanahan. ENDS////AK

221123 Three hundred thousand contributors country-wide
New Dawn FM News

There are three hundred thousand contributors to savings and loans societies nation wide.
Managing Director Federation of Savings and Loans Society Paulus Laveil told the people gathered for the official launch of the Bougainville Savings and Loans Society yesterday.
He says the savings and loans societies represented four per cent of PNGs financial systems with an estimated two million people per household of five members in a family.
“Savings and loans society is one of the most important financial systems,” he says.
Laveil thanked the ABG and BEC decision for the wisdom of choosing the savings and loans society reestablished in the region.
He stated that the ownership of such an institution unlike the commercial banks belongs to every individual contributor to the society.
Laviel adds the task to register the Bougainville Savings and Loans Society began in 2019 however, was stalled due to Covid-19.
After two years the institution has now been reestablished and is now launched for the first time in the region and country.
Laveil also thanked the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) for the guidance to have the registration of our savings and loans completed.
Federation of Savings and Loans Board and management including sixteen licensed societies and three hundred thousand members in Papua New Guinea acknowledged the Bougainville President Hon Ishmael Toroama and Vice President Hon Patrick Nisira and all members of the ABG government.
The New Savings and Loans Act 2015 was introduced to create a fair and level playing field for the societies with other financial institutions
Former Board and management of savings and loan society prior to the Act 2015 made very poor decisions which turned out to be costly for its members.
The Act also creates uniformity, the regulatory framework for the savings and loan societies and other PNG regulated institutions such as the Banks Institutions Act 2000, the Superannuation General Provisions Act 2000 and the Life Insurance Act 2000.
This created flexibility in the application of credential supervision by the Bank of Papua New Guinea.
The regulatory framework now applies to savings and loans societies inline with other institutions regulated by the Bank of Papua New Guinea. Ends////AK

231123 COUNTING FOR SOUTH BOUGAINVILLE FORMER COMBATANTS BYELECTION COMPLETES PRIMARY COUNTS WITH ROBERT KEBAU LEADING
NEW DAWN FM NEWS (Buin )

Counting for the South Bougainville Ex combatants by election ended this morning after non stop counting since Monday this week.
Counting started with BIBS Ballot Box then went into BANA,SIWAI, BUIN and TOROKINA.
When the final Ballot Box from Torokina’s Kenaia ward was completed this morning,
The final candidate figures were as follows,
Candidate 10 MICHALE LAITA 1461
Candidate 11 CHRISTOPHER RONIEL 315
Candidate 12 GREG LUA 1293
Candidate 13 AUGUSTINE WANE 765
Candidate 14 SYLVESTER AUBE 1148
Candidate 15 JOHN KINANI 1079
Candidate 16 PETER NAGUO 328
Candidate 17 SIMON TOHUI ANSIRUA 1112
Candidate 18 MARTIN KAREPA MONGKEI 635
Candidate 19 SYLVESTER PULAU 1311
Candidate 20 MAURY PIRIRI 772
Candidate 21 THOMAS PABAKUMI 566
Candidate 22 PHILIP KUHENA 2169
Candidate 23 ROBERT KEBAU 3049
The Polling Officials will carry out quality checks before going into elimination to complete the counting process by declaring the new member for South Bougainville’s former combatant seat. ENDS AL

221123 Bougainville becomes 17th Savings & Loans Society in PNG
New Dawn FM News

The Savings and Loans Societies industry now consists of 17th licensed including the Bougainvillle Savings and Loans Society.
The industry has grown in-terms of assets size and membership based over the years.
According to Deputy Governor of Bank of PNG Elizabeth Genia as at June 2023, the total assets of the societies were approximately K1.35billion, total deposits were K604.4 million, total loans and advances were K451.7 million representing 77.4 per cent of the total assets.
She said the overall health of the industry is satisfactory, capital asset quality and liquidity are satisfactory while earnings and liquidity are relatively fair and proportionate.
“Bougainville’s savings and loans society entrance into the market is very timely for the province and its people as it promotes ongoing competition.
“One of the key initiatives the Bank of Papua New Guinea advocates for when promoting the development of financial systems.
1. Promoting competition is another significant benefit of having new phase in the lineup of financial service providers;
2. Encouraging competition is another consideration as it helps grow the economy;
3. Competition is also good for members for individuals looking for suitable products in various situations;
She further thanked the President Hon Toroama and Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) for providing seed capital for the establishment of the Bougainville Savings and Loans Society and continuous support to the society.
“We have confidence that with your ongoing support the society will make a strong contribution to the economic development of the region and country,” she added. ENDS/////AK

By-Election held from: 20/11/2023 to
Constituency: LULE Counting Centre: Mamaromino R/C
Ballot Type: Former Combatant By-Election
COUNT 110 RESULTS.
Polling Place Kumirogu

10 MICHAEL LAITA 1 429
11 CHRISTOPHER RONIEL 0 267
12 GREG LUA 2 818
13 AUGUSTINE WANE 7 379
14 SYLVESTER AUBE 0 217
15 JOHN KINANI 1 446
16 PETER NAGUO 0 231
17 SIMON TOHUI ANSIRUA 39 732
18 MARTIN KAREPA MONGKEI 1 352
19 SYLVESTER PULAU 25 478
20 MAURY PIRIRI 0 479
21 THOMAS PABAKUMI 0 552
22 PHILIP KUHENA 1 1855
23 ROBERT KEBAU 3 2556
Total Allowed Ballot- Papers 80 10256
Informal Ballot- Papers 1 226
Grand Total 82 10482
Team Number SB-BU-044-6