Govt sure of repayments

 THE Autonomous Bougainville Government is confident of satisfactorily sorting out compensation claims for damages during the civil war.

Finance Minister Albert Punghau told Radio New Zealand that compensation for damage and other problems was a key issue ahead of the opening of the Panguna mine, which Bougainville views as the solution to its economic woes.

The Me’ekemui faction has been demanding K10 billion in compensation before the mine can be re-opened.

Punghau said the Bougainville government had other compensation claims made before the peace process began.

He said the government has yet to work out how to handle the claims.

He has been tasked to assess the claims.