Briefs

‘Foreign relations needed’
IT is essential that Bougainville brings back its relationship with the international community, president of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville James Tanis said. Mr Tanis returned from a two-week trip to Australia on the request of the Australian foreign minister Steven Smith. He told members of the ABG and officers at a press conference that Bougainville was starting to build relations with the international community. “My trip to Australia was to continue the rebuilding and strengthening of the relationship between Bougainville and Australia,” Mr Tanis said. With Bougainville approaching autonomy, he said “we will need a good relationship with not only the National Government but most importantly our international community”. Mr Tanis said many countries had gained confidence in Bougainville since the start of the conflict and was expecting the peace process. While in Australia, he attended a parliament session and met with the minister for foreign affairs, the minister for trade and minister for police.

Kokopo LLG HQ to relocate
KOKOPO district headquarters will be relocated away from Bitapaka local level government area to an accessible location in Kokopo in the near future. Governor Leo Dion announced the relocation recently saying that the East New Britain provincial executive council (PEC) had approved a submission from the Member for Kokopo Patrick Tammur for the office to be relocated. The office was initially located at Bitapaka in order for government services to be closer to the people. However, he said relocating the office will provide easy access for the general public and the four local level governments under Kokopo district.  Despite the advantages this relocation will bring to the people of Kokopo, it will also delay other good plans for the growth of Bitapaka centre.

Kavieng gets lawn mowers
THE people of Kavieng in New Ireland province will soon see a much more groomed provincial capital with two new lawn mowers and two brush cutters given to them by the National Capital District Commission. NCD Governor Powes Parkop presented the gardening equipment worth more than K7,000 to New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan. Mr Parkop said the donation was part of NCD’s vision as the major city to help all towns and city authorities throughout the country and was also a token of appreciation to Sir Julius for his hospitality when he visited the province last year. Mr Parkop added that the physical environment was important for the socio-economic potential and the gift was handed over to assist the provincial government keep the town clean and do the type of changes that NCD was doing. Sir Julius was more than happy in accepting the gift with plans already in place to clean up Kavieng Town.

Trauma care course in Buka
THE importance and administration of primary trauma care was the main issue discussed at a two-day training workshop at the Buka General Hospital. A team of qualified trauma care specialists from Port Moresby conducted the workshop last Thursday and Friday with funding from AusAID. The team, established in 2002, comprised both local and international trainers who conducted similar training courses in 14 other provinces.  The chief executive officer for Health in Bougainville, Dr Anthony Pumpara, said many countries around the world had had epidemics of primary trauma and he was happy that the course was held in Bougainville. “We must make every effort to ensure that Bougainville has a trauma team to respond to any disaster in our region,” he said. Dr Pumpara said the same course being given was similar to those that were being given in many other countries adding that participants were receiving the best and up-to-date trauma care training. He told the participants that they had a big responsibility in their respective areas of duty.

ABG allocation not enough
THE 2010 National Budget allocation for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARB) has been questioned by another leader. Tsitalato Council of Elders chairman Joseph Gatana said he agreed with ARB acting President Mathias Salas that the allocation was insufficient and urged the National Government to revise it. He said if the amount was not increased, efforts to prepare the region for a referendum and eventual independence would be hindered.