TANIS WELCOMES PANGUNA SIGNING

 

Former ABG President James Tanis. 

SIGNING SIGNALS WAY FORWARD FOR INDEPENDENCE

 

THE signing of an agreement between Bougainville leaders and Panguna mine landowners puts more confidence on region's independence, says former president James Tanis. 

And it means the ABG and the people are now one step closer to making sure Bougainville is better off economically, he said. 

Mr Tanis cautioned, however, that there were major challenges ahead for both parties to the agreement.

This is from former ABG President James Tanis, who is also ABG's Referendum Office Chief Executive Officer. 

"The signing means that Bougainville is getting one step closer to making sure Bougainville is better off economically,” said Mr Tanis, who is now the chief executive officer of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville’s Referendum Office. 

"It puts more confidence on the decision for independence, at least Bougainville has the confidence to show for and say that I have the potential to fund my new country. 

"I am happy the decision has been made but I am still cautious that the landowners and ABG say the mine will be jointly owned by ABG. 

“And since everybody died for Panguna, they must make sure the village people identify with it, for example, the ABG shares under the new entity must be brought down to the village level to share it so people can feel that they own it. 

Panguna Mine. A The Guardian pix.

"Since Panguna became the problem, we must not do things in a way that will repeat the problems. 

"It's complex industry, it’s a high tech industry and highly sensitive industry so it will take a bit of time dealing with it strategically, technically and marketing, infrastructure and also making sure that the space for mining residence is available. 

"And because mining is a high tech industry, we will be needing foreign experts and Bougainville must prepare itself to accept people who are non-Bougainvilleans that will be dealing with the critical part of the industry.” 

He said minerals were non-renewable resources and Bougainville could not depend on mining alone to exist over 100 years. 

Mining can only be used as a catalyst to spark off other non-renewable resources like fishing, agriculture and tourism, education and health, Mr Tanis said. 

"Now ABG and landowners must take us to the next step and it is to keep striking when the iron is hot,” he said.

With GORETHY KENNETH of Post-Courier newspaper 

Rusted old mine trucks. Sydney Morning Herald pix.