NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

180523 BOUGAINVILLE ARTISANS DISPLAY PRODUCTS
New Dawn FM News

Bougainvillean mothers held a colorful array of different shades of flowers, handicrafts, cane-tables, chairs and shelves, weaved pumpkin baskets, bilums,
Bougainville Artisan Association President Daisy Hotsia says the new interest and members from our mothers continue to increase every year.
“This show is held every month on a last fortnight. This month has seen the show growing bigger due to the combination of the Bougainvillea flower show which is run by Lynna Semoso.
It is becoming an attraction for the mothers from our local villagers who are creative with their hands, especially floriculture and weavers.
“We have available cane-baskets from Siwai, South Bougainville and Ton from Suir Constituency.
“We would also want other mothers to join us and showcase their traditional culinary skills from different parts of our region.
“We have the Kieta who are renowned for their tamatama (cassava and pure coconut cream) and in Buka called Menaka (sago with banana) made by our grandmothers who usually made this,” said Hotsia.
Hotsia said the initial BAA was established in 2021 and is putting out an open invitation also to interested youths specialized in arts to register with the association.
Individual registration is K100 and group registration at K300. ENDS///AK

180523 Regional MP clears air on NGCB funding to Bougainville Sports Foundation
New Dawn FM News

Bougainville Regional Member Hon Peter Tsiamalili clears air on National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) funding to the Bougainville Regional Games last month.
Hon Tsiamalili says the Autonomous Bougainville Sports Foundation had written a request letter to his office to support the Bougainville Games which he had approved in 2022.
He said after receiving the supporting letter from ABSF, he then wrote to the Minister for Bougainville Affairs, who happens to be the chairman of NGCB, Hon Manasseh Makiba.
“Through these correspondences, Hon Makiba made the sponsorship through NGCB to the office of the Regional MPs office, which Hon Tsiamalili later directed the sponsorship back to ABSF.
“I want to clear the air on the funding given by NGCB to the Regional MPs office and then to ABSF. I have done my part; it is now up to the Department of Community Development and ABSF to deal with the issues at stake. ENDS///AK

180523 Minister clarifies the Bougainville Games spending
New Dawn FM News

Minister for Community Development and Member for Taonita Tinputz Hon Morris Opeti clarifies how the funding for the Bougainville Games was spent during the 4th Bougainville Regional Games held at Wakunai district.
Hon Opeti said Autonomous Bougainville Government funded (ABG) K500,000.00, National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) gave K300,000 and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) gave K100,000.00.
He said the K300,000.00 from NGCB was deposited into the Autonomous Bougainville Sports Foundation (ABSF) Account and not the Department of Community Development.
According to Minister for Community Development the funds were supposed to be deposited into the departments account but Regional MP Hon Peter Tsiamalili had changed the deposit into the ABSF.
“We do not have access to that funding the responsibility now belongs to the Autonomous Bougainville Sports Foundation (ABSF).
“The Department has utilized only the K500,000.00 given by ABG.
Hon Opeti said initially the total budget was K500,000, however, when the facilities was built to house the players, budget also increased to over K1 million.
He added he could secure only K900,000.00 and arranged with the district to take ownership of the facilities to do scoping.
“Terra was to make a submission under the Wakunai district in-order to take ownership of the facilities but some issues regarding the Member for Terra had left the arrangement in limbo,” he said.
Meantime, we have confirmed documents of the request made by ABSF to the office of the Regional Member of Parliament Hon Peter Tsiamlili to source funding, had approved the letter of request to the chairman of National Gaming Control Board, who also happens to be the Bougainville Affairs Minister Hon Manasseh Makiba. ENDS////AK

170523 MAY 17 SPECIAL DAY FOR BOUGAINVILLE
New Dawn FM News

This is a special day where we come together to commemorate those who have lost their lives to sacrifice for our future, this was the message uttered by former BRA General Commander Sam Kauona.
Former BRA Commander General Sam Kauona during his maiden speech reflected on what Bougainville Remembrance day is all about.
“This is a special day they are here with us, although we cannot see them. They gave their lives so that Bougainville could have a brighter future,” he said.
Kauona said the region was taken over by Multi-National Corporations, our people made a huge sacrifice.
“Today we remember our mothers, children who died in the war and how we lived through the government run care-centres. These people shed their blood so they could regain our right from the colonial run system, since the white men came under Rio-Tinto and BCL were attracted to the minerals,” Kauona added.
Kauona said the process to get this right as the final phase is still continuing.
“So, today we look to the future, to enjoy the new Bougainville, a peaceful place. From the South to the North and the Atolls, our people must live free. In Bougainville, we must respect our government. We must fear the level of the churches, and our leaders who hold our communities together,” he further added.

Ends AK

170523 BOUGAINVILLE REMEMBRANCE DAY
New DAWN FM News

Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama was dressed in military clothing this morning as he celebrated an early morning prayer service in Arawa Town, to commemorate the Bougainville Remembrance Day.

May 17th has been endorsed and gazette as a public holiday in the Autonomous Region by the Bougainville Executive Council in 2018, to remember those that've fought and died in the decade-long war.

Up to 20,000 lives are estimated to have been lost in direct fighting or from other causes as a result of the crisis.

Accompanying President Toroama in a procession from the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Parish to the Independence Oval were ex-combatant members, also dressed in military fatigues, and hundreds of residents of Arawa Town and surrounding areas.

Today's commemoration is an initiative of Ishmael Toroama not as President but as an individual and a Commander of the then Bougainville Revolutionary Army.

Other Commanders of the then BRA who were also listed to be part of today's event include Moses Pipiro, James Onatoo, Glen Tovirika and former BRA General Sam Kaona.

There are indications that the May 17 Bougainville Remembrance Day will be renamed to become the Bougainville War Veterans Day, to remember more specifically those who've fought and died for freedom from government and corporate oppression, equal distribution of resources and wealth and ultimately independence.

President Toroama wants people across the region to commemorate the day in true appreciation of those that've died and to host similar commemorations in their respective localities using their own initiative and not to always rely on the government to fund these events.

He further says, apart from those that've died in the then North Solomons Province, there were also deaths among the security forces and they too should be remembered today, adding that war does not benefit anyone.

Other Commanders of the then BRA called on the people to respect and strenghten the rule of law, ensure peace is sustained and that stories from that dark part of the history of the country be retold to the next generation to understand and appreciate the day.

Both the National and Bougainville flags were flown at half-mast at the Independence Oval, in heart of the now striving Arawa Town, once controlled by the BRA.

Other highlights of today's commemoration includes sharing a symbolic veterans' meal (coconut and banana from a fire) and accounts from the war from commanders and members of the then BRA.

President Toroama told many people who gathered at the Independence Oval that the sacrifice of the dead will not be in vain, assuring that Ratification of the 2019 Referendum on Independence will happen this year, and that there is no turning back reiterating that Independence is inevitable. ENDS////AK

170523 BOUGAINVILLE REMEMBRANCE DAY
New DAWN FM News

Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama was dressed in military clothing this morning as he celebrated an early morning prayer service in Arawa Town, to commemorate the Bougainville Remembrance Day.

May 17th has been endorsed and gazette as a public holiday in the Autonomous Region by the Bougainville Executive Council in 2018, to remember those that've fought and died in the decade-long war.

Up to 20,000 lives are estimated to have been lost in direct fighting or from other causes as a result of the crisis.

Accompanying President Toroama in a procession from the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Parish to the Independence Oval were ex-combatant members, also dressed in military fatigues, and hundreds of residents of Arawa Town and surrounding areas.

Today's commemoration is an initiative of Ishmael Toroama not as President but as an individual and a Commander of the then Bougainville Revolutionary Army.

Other Commanders of the then BRA who were also listed to be part of today's event include Moses Pipiro, James Onatoo, Glen Tovirika and former BRA General Sam Kaona.

There are indications that the May 17 Bougainville Remembrance Day will be renamed to become the Bougainville War Veterans Day, to remember more specifically those who've fought and died for freedom from government and corporate oppression, equal distribution of resources and wealth and ultimately independence.

President Toroama wants people across the region to commemorate the day in true appreciation of those that've died and to host similar commemorations in their respective localities using their own initiative and not to always rely on the government to fund these events.

He further says, apart from those that've died in the then North Solomons Province, there were also deaths among the security forces and they too should be remembered today, adding that war does not benefit anyone.

Other Commanders of the then BRA called on the people to respect and strenghten the rule of law, ensure peace is sustained and that stories from that dark part of the history of the country be retold to the next generation to understand and appreciate the day.

Both the National and Bougainville flags were flown at half-mast at the Independence Oval, in heart of the now striving Arawa Town, once controlled by the BRA.

Other highlights of today's commemoration includes sharing a symbolic veterans' meal (coconut and banana from a fire) and accounts from the war from commanders and members of the then BRA.

President Toroama told many people who gathered at the Independence Oval that the sacrifice of the dead will not be in vain, assuring that Ratification of the 2019 Referendum on Independence will happen this year, and that there is no turning back reiterating that Independence is inevitable. ENDS////AK

150523 BTO DRIVES TAX POLICIES AWARENESS BEGINNING WITH BBA
New Dawn FM News
The Bougainville Tax office is driving the tax awareness based on the FIVE tax decisions approved by the Bougainville Executive Council (BEC), beginning with the Buka Business Association (BBA), today.
The aim is to educate business owners from small medium enterprise to Corporate giants on the importance of paying their sales tax and other taxes according to the type of businesses run.
The BEC had approved these five decisions on;
1. 2023 Taxation Legal Framework for Bougainville
2023 Fuel Products Tax
2. 2023 Amalgamation of Tax and and Non-Tax revenue agencies
3. 2023 GST Exemption for sales tax payers of Beer and Cigarettes
4. 2023 Forgiveness of Tax Debt by Bougainville Businesses
Chief Tax Collector Dr Alois Daton said BBA is the main key stakeholder to consult first and foremost in-terms of business, tax and the economy.
He said it was important for people to better understand that we will only be adapting simple tax laws from PNG which will be easy to understand and to comply with.
He said this is the first awareness here in Buka, Thursday with public servants and interested ABG Members then on Friday with general public. No free for registry. Next week, Monday to Tinputz, Tuesday to Wakunai and straight to Arawa- Wednesday with CBA afternoon with general public.
“On Thursday to meet with Buin Business Association (BBA) in the morning session and afternoon with general public. Siwai community will move to Buin to attend the tax awareness. Nissan and Atolls will later progress on to for the awareness,” he said. ENDS////AK

150523 A female suspect who pleaded guilty to incest had her case suspended in the National court
New Dawn FM News

A female suspect who pleaded guilty to incest had her case suspended in the National Court.
Priscilla Beloli, 35 years of Moutoke village, Haku was charged under section 223 (1) (3) under the Criminal Code Act, of persons having sex with a blood relative.
Beloli, pleaded guilty to having sex with her nephew a 15 year old son to her eldest the sister.
According to her brief, she would occasionally meet with her nephew in their family home and on other occasions in the bushes.
This had caused her to become pregnant with a baby girl, who is now 10months old.
According to her alotocus she had admitted in the village when the elders held a meeting to address the issue.
Defense lawyer submitted this was not the worst case as this was a consensus by both parties and that she caused no injury to the victim.
“She was brave to stand up to admit her wrong, a first time offender and she showed remorse for her actions,” he said.
State lawyer Mr Nathan Pare submitted due to the big age gap and breach of trust because it involved family members and relationships these are against PNG traditional and spiritual values.
“We need laws to be tough to deal with such offenders,” he said.
However, Judge Auka said he agreed that the accused pleaded guilty, expressed remorse and cooperated with police. “I have considered the mitigating factors and considered in her favor,” he added.
She is a widow with 3 children who depend entirely on her. “I believe her, as she said she wants to change and be a better person, is ‘compelling’ and I am going to afford the benefit of the doubt. I consider, 4 years imprisonment, 2 years deducted from time spent during pretrial custody and further 2 years suspended based on two conditions. 1) to be on good behavior for 3 years and 2) she shall not consume alcohol or drug for 3 years,” added Judge Auka. ENDS////AK

150523 An elderly man charged with persistent sexual abuse of a minor charged was sentenced to 10 years in prison
New Dawn FM News

An elderly man charged with persistent sexual abuse of a minor was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Justice Ravunama Auka says the term of 1 year 4 months be deducted from time spent in pretrial custody and further 2 years suspended due to him being of old age.
Judge Auka said the purpose of imposing such sentence is to put away suspects to educate others from committing such offences.
The accused Mathew Warapois aged 45 to 50 years old, from Surupu village in Selau Constituency was charged with one count of persistent sexual abuse to a minor.
According to state lawyer in his submission, Mr Pare presented a total of 8 cases to assist the court to make a ruling on the matter.
Presiding judge Justice Ravunama Auka said the law considers persistent sexual abuse of children as a serious case which leaves the children emotionally and psychological impact especially when they are entrusted to other family members.
For the court to deter such acts from destroying the familys breach of trust, the Supreme Court mentions that those who commits such act must be harshly punished.
The maximum penalty is life imprisonment for very serious cases. ENDS////AK

150523 Dangerous driving causing death is now a common crime says Judge
New Dawn FM News

Justice Ravunama Auka who presided over the National court in Buka, said he noted the increase in dangerous driving causing death is becoming a common case.
Justice Auka said he would look into this matters in-order to punish and ensure deterrence of same crime is not being committed by other men or women in the communities.
‘So far there has been five cases of dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm,” he added.
Another fresh committal hearing for a similar case was of Kametan Beno, of Karekira village, Kieta, AROB, was charged as alleged, at Tohatsi village, on the 15th day of April, 2022.
Drove a motor vehicle namely a Toyota four door land crusier, maroon in color bearing the registration no UAC 675 on along Buka highway, dangerously and thereby caused the death of Norman Romano, contrary to section 328 (2) (5) of the Criminal Code Act. ENDS////AK