Atolls’ refugees to move in 2011

PAPUA New Guinea’s first climate change refugees on atolls in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville would by next year relocate to their new home on mainland Bougainville, as planned by the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG).
ABG deputy administrator for policy Raymond Masono said yesterday that 40 families from impacted atolls, including Cartaret, Tasman and Fead Island, would be relocated each year for a period of 12 years.
And that exercise would commence next year.
“These atolls are fast sinking, as sea level continue to rise, destroying food gardens, water wells and disrupting the livelihood of the 3000-strong inhabitants,” Masono said.
He added that at the end of this month, ABG will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Peit and Halia constituencies for 900 ha of a coconut plantation site which the ABG had identified for the relocation of the islanders.
“By the first quarter of next year, respective divisions including education, health, commerce and local level governments would move in to implement their programs which also included  improving and upgrading the existing health and education facilities and building houses for the relocated islanders,” said Masona.
The cost of relocation, Masono added, would amount to over K20 million in the next 12 years with K2 million already secured to implement next year’s relocation plans.