Kauona: ABG must spend wisely Quelle: Post Courier, 17.10.2012
THE K100 million that was recently given to the Autonomous Bougainville Government by the National Government is for Bougainville’s much-needed Administration capacity building, and not for re-opening the Panguna mine. This money should be used for setting up an IRC Office, Mining Policy and Legislation, Lands Office and Legislation and all other departments that lack capacity.
That’s the view of the former BRA commander Sam Kauona after reading a recent report in this daily paper, with regards to how ABG wants to use this K100 million funding. According to the report, it was stated that this funding would be used to reopen the Panguna mine.
“We thank the O’Neill-Dion Government for recognising the Peace Agreement and committing to its obligation. However if this money is given for the negotiation and re-opening of the Panguna mine, then I regret it’s in breach of the intended cause,” Mr Kauona said. “Panguna has countless problems and I see it will be a waste of money without having our own mining policies and legislations. All stakeholders of Bougainville must be consulted before talking about re-opening the Panguna mine. There are 3 known major mining companies apart from Rio Tinto who are also interested in the Panguna deal and are waiting for Bougainville to legislate its Mining Act,” added Mr Kauona.
Mr Kauona is now challenging the ABG and its Administration to put the K100 million to good use for the benefit of the whole island and not in areas that will tangle us and divert from his people’s mission, which is Resource Ownership. |