PRESIDENT of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville John Momis yesterday appointed his 14-member cabinet, ensuring all three regions of the island were represented fairly, The National reports,
In the allocations, five ministries went to North Bougainville, four to Central Bougainville and four to South Bougainville.
Momis kept the inter-government affairs and autonomy implementation portfolio to himself and gave away the finance, planning and treasury ministry to Albert Punghau, the new member for Motuna Huyono in Siwai.
Second term member Wilfred Komba, member for Konnou , was appointed minister for trade and industry, while Newton Kauva, the new member for Makis, was appointed minister for peace, reconciliation and weapons disposal, a key portfolio in the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
Nicholas Darku, the new member for North Nasioi in Central Bougainville, was appointed minister for primary industry and marine resources, while Joseph Egilio is minister for culture and tourism.
Central ex-combatants representative David Sisito was appointed minister for veteran affairs and new member for Ioro, Michael Oni, is minister for natural resources.
Member for Tinputz Taunita is minister for works, transport and communications, while Teua member Joseph Nopei is the minister for local-level government and traditional authority.
Former regional member for Bougainville, Leo Hannet was appointed minister for public service, law and justice which covers CIS and police.
Vice president Patrick Nisira takes up the health ministry, while member for Mahari, John Tabinaman is minister for education.
The only female member given a ministerial portfolio was Joan Jerome, women member for Central, who is the minister for community, women and youth.
Momis’ cabinet was sworn in last night by chief magistrate Peter Toliken.
On the inclusion of the former president James Tanis in the Bougainville administration, Momis said it was up to the former president to approach them.
So many people are eager to provide views
against the MCC Ramu Nico project in
Madang, yet most of those arguing against the project have really not taken
time to understand the difficulty in developing a project or read the many
documents which began many years ago.
Highland Pacific Limited (HPL) was the
initial developer who had difficulty in finding a joint venture partner to make
the project a reality. The Prime
Minister in his wisdom invited the Chinese to become involved and ultimately an
agreement was reached between the State and the Chinese Government who
nominated MCC to become the major shareholder and manager of the project.
Prior to MCC becoming involved, HPL spent
many months if not years holding various meetings with landowners, business
houses, the Provincial Government and the general community in awareness about
all aspects of the proposed Ramu Nico Mine.
These meetings did not take place just in Madang or Waigani, the
consultancy meetings took place in many villages along the Raikos, Upper Ramu,
down the RamuRiver and on Kar Kar.
Meetings generally held in Madang were
poorly attended. Noticeable was the
absence of the Provincial Government and most churches and NGO’s.
Records show that in 1992 along
Enviromental Plan Patrols meetings took place at Mindre, Ganglau, Bibi,
Marakum, Bongu, Ato, Naru, Usino Station, Mundip, Kurumukari, Wiavani,
Daunagari, Enekwai, Usino Village, Ono, Igure, Raikos High School and
Dien. Later EP Patrols visited Wara
Laplap, Usaruk, Aiome Station, Sepu, Bogadjim, Yanglau, Kul, Mindre, Annaberg,
Chungfribu, Kwanga, Tsumba, Brahaman, Walium, Mindre, Jangag, Ganglau, Kul, Saidor, Kulilau, Dien, Bobgu, Male,
Bokadjim, Ato, Bibi Revisit, Tsumba, Wokam, Bagapela, Kaioma, Akurai, Gwaia,
Aringen, Biwi, Abu, Bunapas, Nem Nem, Bulivar, Marangis. Many more villages were revisted two and three
times in 1999 alone during which a total of 13,439 attended.
Where low attendances were experienced, the
EP Patrols returned and since 1999 many more patrols have taken place, not
counting the various environmental meetings that have taken place in Madang and
public forums.
As a result of the awareness undertaken by
HPL through independent consultants it is quite outrageous that NGO’s are now
saying the people were not aware of the project and the process use in
extracting the nickel and cobalt.
Ultimately the Enviromental Plan (EP) was
approved by the Madang Provincial Government and the Department of Conservation
and Environment and at the time MCC agreed to become involved the EP was
approved and it was on this basis that MCC accepted the challenge to develop
the Ramu Nickel. Let me put this another
way, if the environmental plan had not been approved it is doubtful if MCC
would have agreed to sign the State Agreement.
Once the agreement was signed, little time
was lost in developing the project which todate has cost over K7 billion!
Just months before production was to
commence they have been issued with an interim court order to stop the Deep Sea
Tailings (DST) and this delay is expected to cost Ramu Nico around K7 million a
day, worse still, it could result in the entire project being scrapped with
thousands of PNG people out of work and the potential of the resource along
with the benefits being scrapped. PNG’s
image domestically and internationally is at stake as any future potential
investors would be very cautious in funding similar projects in PNG.
This is the scenario that need to be
understood, now responding to the specific issues raised during the awareness
patrols both in 1992 and more recently.
The EP Presentation procedures began with a
prayer, followed by introductory statements usually made by senior HPL
officers. At each meeting, the entire EP
document covering all main components of the project and their respective
environmental impact implications were address in the EP document. This included the actual mine at
Kurumbakari, the pipeline, processing plant, the Deep Sea Tailings and the RamuRiver
downstream from the mine. At no time
were meetings closed until everyone present had the opportunity to ask
questions and receive responses from the EP officers.
The explanation covered the processing
plant, its capacity, raw materials to be used, support infrastructure including
power plant and the products at the end of the processing line including waste
streams and how these will be managed and disposed of together with the
monitoring requirements.
Community and environment officers update local residents about the project
It was explained that the plant will emit
low levels of air pollutants and that the OEC will require the plant to meet
air quality standards outside the refinery boundary. It covered sewerage treatment and disposal
and compliance issues to maintain environment quality.
Picture of mine at Kurumbukari
The questions asked varied from place to
place but the main fears people had were about the air emissions over Basamuk
causing acid rain that will damage plants, animals and even effect human
health. (Disposal of tailings will be
covered later.) EP officers explained
that power produced with meet acceptable standards and be constantly
monitored. The power plant at
Kurimbakari would be hydro power and would therefore have no environmental
impact, further more, the power could ultimately link up with the National PNG
Power grid. (Hydro station at Kurimbikari)
To understand that DST issue, it must
firstly be understood that the mine simply extracts the mined ore which is
mixed with cold water and is carried as slurry down the pipe line to
Basamuk. Absolutely no processing takes
place at Kurumikari and it is therefore quite incorrect for NGO’s to suggest
the environment or RamuRiver could become polluted beneath the mine site, or
further downstream along the RamuRiver.
RAMU RIVER SEDIMENTATION
In 1992/3 a series of earthquakes shook the
FinnisterreMountains for a period of almost three
months. I was personally present during
this period evacuating many people from villages in the mountains and caring
for them at a care centre we built at Gusap.
The mountains are extremely steep and hundreds of landslides took place,
I recall seeing churches, villages sliding down the sides of mountains causing
dams to form and when heavy rain followed the water in the dams caused the dams
to burst, flash floods roared down the Gusap and other rivers loaded with logs
and debris along with a mountain of water which wiped out everything in their
way including the Gusap and other bridges.
Since then, every wet season, further landslides have occurred and the
sediment washed into the RamuRiver causing it to silt
up. An example is the Walium/Brahman Road where almost every
year the river changes course and bridges are wiped out isolating Brahman and
Bundi. The original course of the river
has changed and this silting up will continue for as long as the sediment
continues to be washed down from the Finnisterre mountains.
Sadly, many people along the RamuRiver
are blaming the Ramu Nico and Marengo Mines, even before they have commenced
production.
This is a natural phenomenon that has been
going on for thousands of years and it will continue after the mines begin production
and this process was explained to the people along the RamuRiver. Ultimately the floor of the Ramu and Markham
valleys will continue to rise whilst the mountains become eroded.
Baseline studies have already been put in
place to monitor any environmental damage and be strictly monitored by the
Government according to the EP.
PIPELINE
There is fear about the actual pipeline
breaking and according to engineering assessments this is highly unlikely, but
even if there was a leak, the slurry is only sediment and cold water – there is
absolutely no processing of the ore at Kurimbakari subsequently no chemicals or
toxicity that could cause environmental damage. In the event of a breach. The pipeline would
be shut down and repaired.
DST
The main reason for designing the DST was
to ensure that the tailings is disposed at a location where they are confident
it will remain at depth and safe for everyone, both in the short and long term,
without endangering the highly productive coastal marine environment that is
utilised for subsidence. The entire DST
system was planned and developed on the experiences gained from similar DST at
Lihir, Misima and other parts of the world.
The tailings will be chemically different for other mines in PNG in as
much as poisonous chemicals such as cyanide will NOT be used by Ramu Nico and
will not be present in the tailings.
DSTP illustration
In regard to alternative onland tailing
dam. This would require a vast landmass and landowners from Raikos have a
stated they do not want anymore land alienated. There is also risks in tailing dams build on
unstable ground subjected to frequent earthquakes which could breach and cause
destruction downstream.
Before the tailings are discharged into the
DST system, they will be neutralised residually acidity and precipitate metals
our of a solution inside the processing plant.
The tailings would then exit the processing plant via a pipeline to a
mix tank near the shoreline when it would be then discharged at a depth of 150m
below the surface.
Anyone that knows PNG and in particular the
Raikos realise that the mountains from the coast rise up to 12,000 feet. More than 600 inches of rain fall and due to
the proximity to the coast, the rivers and creeks rage along the valleys
carrying sediment, rocks and anything else in their way and discharge into the
sea and frequently this brown discharge can be seen miles out to sea. It would be difficulty to qualify the amount
of sediment being discharged along the river system, but it is fair to say that
the discharge of the tailings is infinitesimal compared to the volume that
comes down from the mountains.
If the tailings was toxic or contained
cyanide there would be some reason for concern, but given that it is no worse
that natural sediment coming down from the mountain it is absurd to suggest
that the environment from tailings could be destructive, specially when you
consider the tailings are discharged at a depth of 150m and the Vitiaz Basin
has canyons of 500m – 1,500m which already has the natural discharge from
rivers far greater than the volume of tailings.
Some of the reports prepared by the LutheranChurch
and others geographically state the discharge is in ‘AstrolabeBay’
others refer to ‘BasamukBay’. This is of course incorrect, the discharge is
into the VitiazBasin.
Picture of late Rev Wesley Kigasung (second from right) with
Madam Luo and others at Basamuk at the start of project
There is no doubt that the main concern
expressed by the people during the EP Patrols by leaders related to the
treatment and disposal of the tailings.
Despite assurances from the people who supported the project continual reference
was made of the tailings and irresponsibly promoted using scare tactics where
it was said ‘all your fish will be poisoned’.
I am not a scientist, like NGO’s we are
guided by scientists, it is extremely important that information being
disseminated to the people is accurate and balanced keeping in mind it is in
the national interest to determine a way forward over the deadlock that has
occurred due to the interim court order which has not taken all the facts into
consideration nor the national interest.
Despite the assurances by the people for
the project, uncertainties still exist as to whether their marine environment
will be safe. This places the onus on
the developers including the Government to ensure it works in the manner described
in the EP, more importantly that it will be monitor the behaviour, movement and
ultimate deposition of the tailings at depth.
This can only be only achieved through strict environmental management
in the construction and operation of the processing plant and maintaining a
stringent monitoring programs on the compliance conditions set by the
Government.
If the project is stopped what will become
of the entire project, what will happen in regard to future investment not only
from the Chinese but anyone else wanting to invest in Papua New Guinea. Equally important what will become of the
thousands of PNG’eans employed by the project who could easily lose their jobs,
the local land owning groups all or whom have supported the projects and the
companies established by Ramu Nico.
It was not long ago that the Raikos was a
forgotten part of PNG, roads, bridges collapsed and sea conditions did not
permit easy access to Madang. Education
and health services had deteriorated beyond an acceptable level and for several
years have lacked political representation.
The Ramu Nico project has changed the future, roads and bridges have been agreed,
infrastructure including schools are beginning to be restored and the people are
engaged in growing vegetables and other activities that have already made a
difference to the economy.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare at the groundbreaking ceremony at Basamuk.
This is the second attempt to bring about
development to the Raikos, the first was for a Cement Factory at Saidor which
subsequently fell through and now the Nickel Project is facing certain closure
if the DST is not approved.
Everyone has a right to talk, a right to
influence, but we have a moral obligation not to mislead and perhaps in this
instance we do have an obligation to consult.
Given the documents I have seen, reading the environment reports being
dispersed I and most other responsible citizens are convinced some of the NGO’s
are not providing a balanced position.
I recently said that the Chinese were being
victims of abuse over this development and I repeat again. The senior MCC executives that I have met
have endeavoured to adopt a responsible approach, initially there were some
problems but in time, most of the problems have been resolved, I am confident
they are good corporate citizens that have largely met the terms of the
agreement and more. As an example, this
week I believe they made a visit to RaikosHigh School which is in a
very bad state of repair – they met the Headmaster and I am sure the school
will benefit – this is just one of many examples where MCC have gone out of
their way to help the community.
Language has been a problem but now their
public relation and community relation division has begun more awareness and it
is obvious that the Landowners and most of the population are clearly in favour
of the project.
The PNG Government to a large extent has
failed to support MCC in many ways.
Given the cultural and communication problems this support was vital as
I said at the beginning, when MCC accepted the invitation to develop the
project, they were provided with an approved environment plan and it really up
to the National Government to ensure that adequate monitoring is in place to
ensure there is little of no damage to the ecological system of the Raikos – no
one wants to be a party to the destruction of reefs and sea-life, with these in
mind, it is time to sit down and talk face to face without the accusations and
misleading information that could destroy a project and future investment in
PNG. It is time for PNG citizens to talk
without outside help from overseas ‘experts’ who in most cases have much to
protect themselves in their own countries.
In a letter dated Mar 19, 2000 the then
Governor of Madang, Jim Kas, Sande Suang, Chairman of Basamuk LOA, Clant Alok,
Provincial Administrator and David Tigavu, Chair of the Kurumbukari LOA, Pengau
Mengo, Deputy Governor & President Raikos Council, Michael Yarap,
President, Usino LLG and Wesley Sanarap, President, Madang Provincial NGO
Forum stated that “we the
Stakeholders and concerned parties in the Ramu Nickel-Cobalt Project approve
and are in absolute support of the Environmental Plan.” The concluding paragraphs stated “we the
undersigned, once again, thank you for spending your time in Madang, whilst
allowing us to review the Environment Plan and we hope to continue this working
relationship with you and the Government of Hon Sir Mekere Morauta”
Clearly the Provincial and National
Government at the time gave approval after exhaustive consultation with the
people. Subsequent reports readily available indicate that adequate awareness
was made and from that I can see will continue.
Peter Barter
Former Regional Member, Governor, Minister and now concerned Citizen, Businessman and
1. James Wanjik raised some issues on Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) in his publication, MRA and Corruption of Mineral Regulation in Papua New Guinea. Would Highlands Pacific have a view on it?
2. DeepSea Tailings Placement (DSTP) litigation at Ramu mine tells Madang people that Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was not done or at least not independently done. Would Highlands Pacific have a position?
3. So much animosity is generated over DSTP in Madang. Highlands Pacific has been antagonising it. Truth is MRA did not have mandate and authority to approve engineering and safety for construction in June 2007. Has Highlands Pacific got any legal advice on this?
4. Toll on MRA will swallow PNG. Highlands Pacific has many exploration licences in PNG. Truth is these licences are unregulated. MRA is unconstitutional and is operating illegally. It is a counterfeit. Has Highlands Pacific any legal advice on this?
5. MRA is collecting illegal tax in illegal production levy from miners. Would Highlands Pacific seek legal advice to verify this before Ramu mine comes into production?
When leaders warn loud mouthed top media personnel in Papua New Guinea they go into their shells.
Rigged and weak would be their news and analyses.
Unless media personnel are ethical and are free from political influence media in PNG will be a weak fourth estate in PNG's democracy.
Talking about ethics of journalism there are 10 elements or guidelines.
Two authors Bill Kovack and Tom Rosenstiel list them as follows:
1. Journalism's first obligation is to the truth.
2. Its first loyalty is to the citizens.
3. Its essence is discipline of verification.
4. Its practioners must maintain an independence from those they cover.
5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power.
6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise.
7. It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant.
8. It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional.
9. Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience.
10. It’s the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Many people are questioning the independence and impartiality of media personnel who produce news and news analyses.
In an unprecedented criticism of the media, a Waigani National Court judge voiced his total disappointment.
His was a newspaper's editorial that criticised his sentence of a known criminal and a prison escapee.
No leader has come out to put the issue to rest.
Till politicians warn judges to keep out of politics they will regret.
The media is not watching and exposing this encroachment by judges.
Third arm of the government is interfering with the responsibility of the second arm.
On the issue at hand, the Public Prosecutor must come out clearly whether sentence of five years without custody is commensurate with a crime of armed robbery.
Any common criminal can ask for non-custodial sentence considering the gravity of their offence being less than armed robbery.
There are four objects of sentences: Punishment, protection of the society, justice to victims, and correction of criminal behaviour of the criminal.
It seems none of these objects are achieved by the non-custodial sentence meted out.
Tell us, media gurus, why the press in PNG has not warned the leaders about this bad sentence and subsequent political activism of the presiding judge?
Welcome to Russell Soaba’s world. He is the portrait of the odd man out, an individual, and a great thinker. Russell Soaba is also one of the greatest, if not the greatest, writer in Papua New Guinea. His works, particularly novels Maiba and Wanpis, are studied in universities around the world by students of literature and philosophy. Followers of the existentialism philosophy around the world dote on the writings of Russell Soaba. It is, however, a paradox that Russell Soaba is not even recognised in his own country Papua New Guinea for his great contribution to the country’s literature. However, now, followers of Soaba can find more of his writings online on his two blogs The Anuki Country Press and Soaba's Storyboard. Two more welcome additions to the growing PNG blogosphere and literature!
Phil Gould ... PNG still has a long way to go but signs are encouraging Gould encourages more development
AUSTRALIAN rugby league commentator and personality Phil Gould said during a special breakfast hosted by the Papua New Guinea NRL Bid team yesterday in Port Moresby that PNG would be better prepared to enter a team in the NRL in 10 years, The National reports. The outspoken commentator got straight to the point stating that there will be a lot for the Bid to do and needs its “All Schools Programme” and proper administration up and running as these factors would provide a club with the necessary tools to successfully enter the NRL competition within the next decade. “Begin now with junior development with its administration and develop it with good programmes and infrastructure that should be sustainable,” Gould said. “Once the juniors begin from the basics and work their way up, they can achieve anything.” He said that with sports administration, it would need a lot of unity and cooperation to get things done, starting from the schools as it was the first step. Gould stressed that proper administration in place was extremely important to seeing through the long-term plans of the sport in PNG. PNGNRL Bid Team general manager Bev Broughton revealed that the team would begin its junior rugby league programmes with Bid represenatatives set to canvass the entire nation, province by province, to begin in earnest a schools rugby league programme in the following year. “We are looking to begin the programme at the beginning of next year with the target age groups of 14 and 16 years,” she said. Gould said: “In Australia now, I would say that 50% of our junior registrations are of Polynesian and indigenous Australians and it would be only natural to tie in other Pacific nations to this bid.” Gould said the more countries being involved with the NRL would see more opportunities for youngsters and as for PNG it would definitely be an opportunity to use the sport as a developmental tool and something to unite the people. Gould’s short visit here was a memorable one as he said: “I will go home with things I won’t forget,” after seeing first hand the passion for the game in PNG. The PNG NRL Bid hopes to have the help of Gould in marketing and promoting the PNG NRL Bid to the rugby league community in Australia. The Bid’s singsing group was the entertainment for the morning and impressed Gould with its talent. The PNG NRL Bid conducted a workshop after the meeting yesterday with Gould which involved sponsors, and other associates of the PNG NRL Bid. Chairman of the PNG NRL Bid team Philemon Embel revealed that plans for a world-class stadium in Port Moresby were already in place and a stadium similar to the Gold Coast Titans homeground Skilled Park Stadium in the Gold Coast would be built early next year.
Students of WaiganiPrimary School – Catherine Jonathan (from left), Sony Ganarafo and sisters Joanna and Georgia Manao – are all dressed in their traditional attire of colourful feathered headgear and buai string. They were selected to provide traditional dances during the launch of textbooks at the WaiganiPrimary School yesterday.-Nationalpic by AURI EVA
