http://www.bougainville-copper.eu/news-october-2012-2.html
[size=6] [/size]
THE Panguna Re-Opening
Process and Negotiation is considered as a highest priority issue by the
Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG).
This was revealed by the
President of the ABG Dr John Momis in his opening address to the Joint
Supervisory Body in Kokopo recently.[size=7] [/size]
[size=7]Dr Momis informed the forum that a full brief by the ABG was to
have been provided to the JSB to detail administrative actions taken by
Bougainville authorities and appropriate national government agencies to deal with the Panguna
Re-Opening Process.[/size]
[size=7]He said that this would be treated as a separate issue from the Fifteen Step Mining, Oil
and Gas agenda.[/size]
[size=7]Dr Momis further requested that the Panguna Re-Opening Process be
treated “as a special
agenda item on all future JSB meetings until the matter is concluded”.[/size]
[size=7]He also informed the JSB forum that the Bougainville government was working on
legislations specific to the Mining, Oil and Gas industry within the
region. He said draft instructions have been “approved for a Bill for a transitional ABG
Mining Act”. [/size]
[size=7]This would ensure that all mining and extractive activities in the
region relating to mining, oil and gas are governed by a strict set of
legislations, with stakeholder activities being carefully scrutinized to ensure
compliance with Bougainville laws.[/size]
[size=7]Dr Momis said that the ABG was wary of operators, particularly
foreign owned companies who have been operating outside of, and without
consultation with lawful ABG and PNG authorities.[/size]
[size=7]“This ABG legislation will, hopefully, put a stop to this practice
in an emphatic way”, Dr Momis said.[/size]
[size=7]Dr Momis expressed satisfaction at renewed interactions of late
between the ABG and the national government at the senior bureaucratic level,
particularly with the Department of Works, Mining and the MRA which should ensure “a new level of
commitment on the part of the National Government towards a greater level of
cooperation with Bougainville” in all areas.[/size]
[size=7]Dr Momis is Co-Chair of the JSB along with Prime Minister Peter
O’Neill.[/size]