A double worthy of celebrating

 THE O’Neill Government has scored a double century with the reopening of Aropa Airport in Central Bougainville on Friday and the decision to give 33 per cent free equity in Ok Tedi Mining Ltd to the people of Western Province.

The jubilation was somewhat soured by a media statement by Bougainville President John Momis last Thursday, which warned Prime Minister Peter O’Neill not to interfere in mining matters of the once strife-torn island.

“Any attempt by the National Government to con­­trol mining in Bougainville could cause Bougainvilleans to lose all faith in the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) and many would refuse to work with the National Government anymore.” Momis had survived the 10-year Bougainville Crisis and meant what he said.

Interestingly, he revealed that O’Neill held secret meetings with the self-styled Me’ekamui Government of Unity (MGU) in October to discuss mining options for Bougainville, in particular the re-opening of the Panguna mine.

The veteran leader said minutes of the meeting indicated the O’Neill Government wanted to control mining at Panguna in the same way it controlled Ok Tedi.

“Ok Tedi is your model to help you with mining in the future,” the prime minister was reported as telling the MGU delegation.

Both O’Neill and Momis were mum over the issue on Friday during the reopening of Aropa airport, which had been closed for the past 23 years, including the 10-year crisis. While acknowledging the significant support by the National Government in the reconstruction of the airport and terminal, Momis hinted that the BPA remained the road-map to a lasting solution to the crisis.

“The Bougainville Peace Agreement is a good agreement; it binds the National Government and government of the Autonomous Region of Bougianville to work together,” he said.

“The root behind the crisis was when people felt that they were being marginalised and thus disempowered under the colonial and pre-colonial region.

“I want to remind us that we have found a good agreement – the Bougainville Peace Agreement.” 

Seemingly, O’Neill was unperturbed by Momis’ stern warning on an issue that is close to the chest of most Bougainvilleans.

However, he assured the leaders and people that his Government would continue to honour the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

O’Neill lauded the reopening of Aropa as means of creating new opportunities for the people of Bougainville. 

“This is a beautiful day for Bougainville and for Papua New Guinea.”

During his visit to Bougainville early this year, O’Neill had assured the people that his Government would work closely with the ABG to re-open Aropa.

“In January, I announced I was here to honour the National Government’s com­mitments and deliver important projects to bring Bougainville back to what it once was. The National Government’s main focus is to bring services to and improve the welfare of our people, especially, the generation who missed out completely. This infrastructure can now effectively serve the people of Bougainville. The welfare of the people of Bougainville is a priority for our Government.”

O’Neill expressed similar sentiments for the people of Western Province when announcing the National Executive Council approval of the 33 per cent free equity in the giant Ok Tedi mine.

“This decision is fair and just, and it will be of great benefit to the people of Western Province following decades of neglect. The people of Western Province have long suffered extensive environmental harm that has been caused by the Ok Tedi mine. It is important that affected communities are recognised and receive compensation, while at the same time efforts continue to improve environmental practices at the mine.”

Despite the controversy surrounding OTML and the PNG Sustainable Development Programme, O’Neill has firmly stood his ground and spearheaded an initiative that will benefit the people of this isolated province in the long term.

We commend the Prime Minister for giving the people of Western a timely Christmas present but tend to agree with Momis that O’Neill needs to tread carefully on the Bougainville mining issue.