Photo: Panguna Mine
Hon. ABG President Ishmael Toroama has urged the Panguna Landowners to collaborate with the government to ensure Bougainville's political and economic independence.
President Toroama delivered this declaration recently at the Panguna Chief Summit in Central Bougainville at Tunuru Catholic Parish.
President Toroama stated that the moment has come for Bougainvilleans to re-set their clocks and align themselves with the independence timeline.
President Toroama asked the five Panguna clan groupings to come to a consensus and agree on a solution that will help and support the 97.7% vote for political independence.
While the government has made significant progress in declaring Bougainville's firm position for independence in the last three Joint Government Consultations with the National Government, it still requires strong support to ensure that Bougainville's political aspirations are well supported by a vibrant economic foundation.
“If we are talking about a new Bougainville, we must re-set and refocus our priorities,” he said.
The Paguna Dialogue Chief Summit is part of the Panguna Mine Dialogue initiative, which was approved by the Bougainville Executive Council in 2021 as a strategic vehicle for resolving unresolved Panguna Mine concerns through a bottom-up manner.
The theme "Local Problem, Local Knowledge, Local Solution" is guiding the process.
By the end of the Summit, the five Panguna Landowner Groups, Kurabang, Barapang, Bakoringu, Basikang, and Mantaa, are scheduled to sign a united resolution that would start the process of reopening the legendary Panguna Mine.
Reference: Autonomous Bougainville Government (7 February 2022). “President Toroama calls on Panguna Landowners to work with ABG”.
