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O’Neill gives green light for repeal of Bougainville Copper Agreement act
by ramunickel
Romulus Masiu | Post Courier
THE people of Panguna have called on Peter O’Neill to start the process of repealing the Bougainville Copper Agreement Act 1967 immediately.
Chairman of the Panguna Landowners Association, Law-rence Daveona, made the call in Panguna during the Prime Minister’s visit.
"We appeal to you as the Prime Minister that you start the process of repealing this Act," Mr Daveona said.
"Our technical team stand prepared to assist with drafting any National Executive Council submission to get the process happening.
"This is the best that the O’Neill-Dion Government can do for the people of Panguna and Bougainville. We want to know your thoughts on this. You, as our Prime Minister, can provide some hope and relief for us, as your former party leader, then Prime Minister Bill Skate, did for the people of Bougainville by brokering the peace agreement.
"If the Act can be repealed through parliament, we can start the process of re-opening the Panguna mine."
Mr Daveona said the landowners were better organised then when the 1967 deal was signed between the then Rio Tinto or CRA, and the then colonial administrative government of PNG through the House of Assembly.
"At present we are organised into nine associations; the SML which I represent, the Upper Tailings, Middle Tailings, Lower Tailings, Port Mine Access Road, Siokate Lease and the Uruawa Lease. This structured arrangement was never in place in the lead up to the signing of the 1967 Agreement," Mr Daveona pointed out.
He said landowners of Panguna mine and the surrounding leases were united for the re-opening of the mine.
"But we wish to put forward certain conditions, one of the key ones being the repeal of the 1967 Act so that we can commence negotiations and discussions under a total new agreement," he said.
Mr O’Neill supported the call by Mr Daveona and the landowners saying that the 1967 Act will be repealed and a new one put in place.
He also emphasised that the process of restoration to provide government services to Panguna has started and will continue.
He said he was very happy for the landowners and Me’ekamui’s desire and commitment to work with the ABG and the national Government for the betterment and progress of Bougainville.
ramunickel | January 30, 2014 at 12:20 pm | Tags: ABG, Bougainville, Bougainville Copper Agreement Act, Landholders, Lawrence Daveona, Panguna, Papua New Guinea, Peter O'Neill, Rio Tinto | Categories: Financial returns, Papua New Guinea | URL: wp.me/pMvf7-31u
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