NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

310523 New Managing Director for Heli-Bougainville is delighted with prospect of new aviation opportunities
New Dawn FM News

Peter Hickey Director of Heli Niugini was delighted to be invited back to Bougainville by Member for South Nasioi, Hon Justin Bodger.
He said it is an exciting time for the Board of Directors of Heli Niugini to be invited back with the opportunity to work with Bougainville to develop the aviation industry focusing on rotary and the opportunities as their economy grows.
“We can support in the transport sector, medivac sector, border patrols, immigration, and many more opportunities to tap into,” he said.
Hickey says this is a big investment for Bougainville, to be in a 50-50 percent shareholding partnership with Heli-Niugini Limited.
“Its going to cost US$5million to invest and start this business in Bougainville,” he added.
The Helicopter BK117 will be based at Aropa Airport, under the Member’s approval, to the shareholders agreement and then Heli Bougainville will be registered as the holding company for Bougainville.
Member for South Nasioi, Hon Justin Bodger says his people welcome these opportunities now that the economy is growing.
“Joint venture businesses like these are welcomed to have such arrangement in place, anything in the resource sector it can assist,” says Bodger.
Bodger further added he is thankful to Peter and the team to partner with Dakenatu Development Cooperative Limited.
He reiterated that this partnership will bring the Cooperative to the next level as it opens other new opportunities into Cocoa Industry as well (constituency accounts for 30percent of cocoa production in Bougainville.
“As local people to take advantage in this business opportunity as the government has welcomed investors to come into Bougainville,” added Bodger.

300523 Border protection is important for surveillance
New Dawn FM News

The National Government approved the three-border authority, one in Bougainville, Vanimo and Western Province.
According to Member for North Nasioi and Minister for Finance and Treasury Hon Mathias Salas border protection under surveillance is important.
“It is important to monitor and provide the services for the function of these authority to our local people.
“I officially welcome, you all to this occasion and apologizes for the absence of the Bougainville President HON Ismael Toroama, as Member for Arawa town, where the office will be built.
“It is a national government function, normally when we go through self-determination, this function we will eventually get.
“Through the transitional functions of the government, ABG can take over and use these offices to migrate to the authority of government,” he added.
Salas said the other important issue regarding this office is surveillance.
In the past people had tried to avoid the process of PNG and Bougainville, by using a migration visa to the Solomon Islands and illegally enter Bougainville instead of going through to PNG.
“Another reason why I think this service is important is to do with border issues.
“We share sea border with Solomon Islands, however, if we close this border, we will share border with PNG.
Salas added there is ongoing serious border discussions with his department and DPI Minister Hon Geraldine Paul regarding highly migratable stock.
Fishing in PNG, 30 percent of catch of overall highly migratable catch is found in charlize sector in Bougainville waters.
Last year alone, NFA made a windfall profit of K2 billion. From the profit margin of total catch each year divided by 30percent is K6million, which must be remitted back to Bougainville.
“I want customs office also to be established in Bougainville to share the border with us. ENDS////AK

300523 Increase in transnational border activities
New Dawn FM News

The Deputy Chief Immigration officer (Passport & Visa Division, MR.CLARENCE PARISAU says there is a possibility of increase in transnational border activities which could occur if the traditional borders are re-opened.
He said there are some genuine and non-genuine traditional border crossers.
“It is important for people on the ground to work with us in identifying those who are not genuine traditional border crossers.
“These are the type of services the Immigration office is bringing to your door step.
“Our main purpose is to provide and regulate the laws to make sure that our citizens are protected.
“We have the same laws in Bougainville as well as in the Solomon Islands, so we do not have people crossing to create havoc on the other side under migration laws,” Parisau added.
Parisau further added that in-order to cross the traditional borders, the person will have to present himself/ herself to a genuine immigration officer.
“Make-sure you get a passport and involve in the trade,” he reiterated.
He further added to clarify under the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) included are the two important functions, controlled by the National Government which is the foreign currency, Central BANK and Immigration for border control. ENDS/////AK

300523 Bougainville a strategic location to protect as the entry and exit point of the South Pacific
New Dawn FM News

The opening of the Immigration and Citizenship Authority Office in Arawa, is to protect the interest of the people and its natural resources.
The establishment of the Immigration and Citizenship authority office is a collaborated effort by the National Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government.
According to Deputy Chief Migration officer for Passport & Visa Division,Clarence Parisau, our key goal is to protect the borders as we are located at a strategic location.
“Bougainville is located strategically as the entry and exit point of the South Pacific,” he said.
He says as part of being the officer in-charge of granting foreigners’ passports and visas, who want to come and work in our country.
“They must be thoroughly screened. A concerted effort by the office and government in relation to the free trade zone must be tough.
“Foreigners living and working in our country also breach many of our laws including extra-marital affairs, abuse, sexual harassment in the office, and so we deal with issues like these,” he added.
Parisau says if found guilty, they will be deported back to their country of origin. ENDS///AK

300523 Agriculture & Fisheries an important sector to develop and strengthen in Bougainville
New Dawn FM News

The Autonomous Bougainville Government should focus on agriculture and fisheries sectors to develop and sustain the thriving economic recovery in the region.
Speaking to New Dawn FM, former Bougainville Regional MP Fidelis Semoso has been aggressively investing in his cocoa plantation in his bungbung village, ward five in Tsitalato Constituency.
Semoso said he IS CURRENTLY nursing about 18,000 cocoa seedlings to supply local farmers to support cocoa rehabilitation efforts in his community.
He said since both governments are aware of the time-line being no later than 2027, an aggressive rehabilitation of our cocoa and coconut plantations must be looked into.
“Having the planning and commitment to execute such is lacking in our society,” he said.
Semoso is also challenging the government to look into parking funds for the local farmers to either increase or stabilize the market price as an intervention mechanism to assist when prices are low. ENDS////AK

Walk for life 2023

260523BOUGAINVILLE TECHNICAL SCHOOL COULD LOOSE MILLION KINA
INFRASTRUCTURE IF THE RAIN CONTINUES.
NEW DAWN FM NEWS

The Bougainville Technical College in Tinputz could loose Million Kina worth of infrastructure if the current heavy rains continue.
This is because the river IURUN has been flooded all of this week and most of the river ran towards the School nearly washing the School mess in the process.
Photos provided by school showed that the school could loose many other buildings if the flood doesnot stop anytime soon.
The Deputy Principal Academic, TONY KARAU talked to New Dawn FM saying the School was on high alert of moving some equipment that could be in danger at the moment.
New Dawn FM understands sometimes back there was talk of diverting the river out of the School area but that idea was not allowed by the landowners.
As the situation is more critical now the Government must negotiate again with the landowners to save the School and all the Million Kina infrastructures that are been built for the school with the support of the Australian Government.

ENDS

260523 The 2023 ABG Leaders Symposium Joint Resolutions
New Dawn FM News

The second day into the 2023 ABG Leadership Symposium ended the summit on a high note, taking into consideration the discussions and deliberation over the Bougainville Integrated Strategic Development Plan 2023-2027.
After much discussion and participation to identify key sector activities and ranking them according to the intended budget allocation proposed by respective team leaders for the five sectors; ECONOMIC (Department of Mining, Department of Primary Industries, Department of Lands, Physical Planning & Development, Environment & Climate Change and Department of Finance & Treasury); INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT ROADS, BRIDGES, WHARVES & AIRPORTS (Department of Technical Services); SOCIAL (Department of Health, Department of Community Development and Department of Education); LAW & JUSTICE SECTOR (Department of Police and Correctional Services, Department of Law & Justice Sector) & GOVERNANCE (Department of Community Government, Department of Public Service) and regional chairmen.
Minister for Commerce, Trade and Economic Development and Vice President Hon Patrick Nisira, who co-chaired the summit.

The 2023 ABG Leaders Symposium Joint Resolutions according to the leaders of the Autonomous Bougainville leaders commit to the draft Vision 2052 and draft Bougainville Integrated Strategic Development Plan 2023-2027 (MTDP 1), as the blue print for planning and development in Bougainville and hereby agreed to the following resolutions to be effected as of this date:
1. Endorse the draft Bougainville Integrated Strategic Development Plan 2023-2027 (MTDP 1) in principle subject to amendments identified in this symposium.
2. Endorse the draft Vision 2052 Framework in principle subject to amendments identified in this symposium
3. Endorse the draft Development Budget Focus for 2024 to 2027 in principle subject to amendments identified in this symposium
4. Endorse the “One Plan, One Budget” principle to foster the “One People, One Nation, One Vision” concept in principle. ENDS////AK

260523 New Acting Appointments within the Bougainville Administration
New Dawn FM News

The office of the Chief Secretary released a circular no. 22 of 2023, dated 24th of May 2023, to all Departmental Heads, All Commissioners, All Public Servants and All ABG Companies on the New Acting Appointments within the Bougainville Administration.
Shadrach Himata said as the Head of the Bougainville Public Service, hereby make the following new acting appointments for the Secretary Department of Education and Secretary Department of Health.
He said this was following the suspension and investigation by the Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee (BSAC) of the respective substantive office holders.
“Ms Dorothy Kenneth, Education Director Policy & Planning, will be Acting Secretary for Education.
“Dr Ruline Pokote, Executive Director Health Standards & Acting Deputy Secretary Public Health, will be Acting Secretary for Health,” he said.
Himata added these appointments take effect from today until further decision/s by the BSAC or one (1) month has lapsed.
He further says to please accord Ms Kenneth and Dr Pokote your full cooperation and support as they assume their respective roles.
This circular was copied to the office of the President, BEC Secretary and Bougainville Research Strategic Planning Secretariate. ENDS////AK

250523 Police Update
New Dawn FM News

Police reported on Sunday morning, a one-year-old baby boy had allegedly fell into a well at Sohano, died.
According to Police reports the mother of the baby had been busy playing ludo with friends and left the child unattended.
She is likely to face charges of negligence while, police investigations are continuing.
Meantime, a minor who was under the age of 16 years old was impregnated by a grade seven student, and allegedly had a miscarriage a young baby boy.
According to the family of the girl, had allegedly kept the baby until his burial on Sunday.
The minor has been referred to CBC welfare officer and police investigations continuing.
The suspects involved in the Bekut and Kohiso are being held behind bars and attending court proceedings.
Police has also reported the arrest and release on police bail the suspect involved in the theft of Lemanmanu Health Centre ambulance and Hantoa and Sohano Health Centre suspect is also behind bars. ENDS////AK