Woman leader urge unity in stakeholders
By ROMULUS MASIU
A woman leader in Central Bougainville has appealed for unity among all stakeholders to decide the future for Bougainville’s new generation.
Central Bougainville Women in the Bougainville House of Representatives Joan Jerome said on behalf of the mothers and children of this land she is appealing that we must come together, unite and decide a better future for our new generation.
“The decisions we make today is for the benefit of the future of Bougainville, so that our children can live a better life,” Ms Jerome told participants at the mining forum on Panguna Mine negotiations in Arawa.
Ms Jerome challenged the leaders of Bougainville that whatever decision you do must be transparent and for the best interest of the people of Bougainville.
“I appeal and cry out to the people of Bougainville for peace, love and unity.
My appeal to the Central Bougainville people that we have to stand firm to reopen the Panguna Mine so that it can drive the economy of Bougainville when we are preparing to vote for referendum Independence was and is our dream, we shed blood for it, no one can but only us can make decisions that will help us to achieve it.
The onus is on us now.”
She added: “The issue is that, if the government recognise us as the legitimate land and resource owners as in accordance with Section 23 of the Bougainville Constitution, then, it is the land owners right, our right, to tell the government how much we want for royalty percentages, lease percentages, the spins-offs, the revenue return to the ABG and so on and not the government feeding us with their list.
Therefore, it is about time we co-operate with our legitimate government for a solution, considering in mind the 20,000 innocent lives listed in the crisis. We must ensure that the lives were lost for a worthy cause.”
Ms Jerome further appealed to her people of Panguna, Kieta and Wakunai districts, when dealing with the mining issues, we should ask ourselves, who owns this island of Bougainville? If we say we the citizens of Bougainville, the landowners, then let that be. What is so hard about it?
We have 100 percent ownership of our land and resources, however, we must not forget that there is a government in place, our very own government, initiated from our very own struggles, and that government (ABG) is like our shield or protector to defend our rights from foreign intruders or influences who might be trying to take advantage to exploit our resources.
Therefore, the government should be the custodian to serve the interest of the landowners and regulate any economical development regarding this issue, Ms Jerome said thanking the people of Central Bougainville for giving her the mandate to be their voice in the floor of parliament.
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