Islands Beat to stir debate on regional issues

 Welcome to this first edition of Islands Beat, an editorial initiative aimed at encouraging debate and discussions on all types and forms of issues stretching from politics to religion and business development from throughout the New Guinea Islands region.

While we encourage contributions and feedback from the public, these will only be accepted in the form of a signed email. No telephone calls will be accepted.

East New Britain:

The Trans-New Britain Highway had been informally opened. 

On Thursday morning, August 6, 2015, a convoy of three vehicles left Kokopo to Kerevat and Burit for the road trip into West New Britain along the yet-to-open trans-national highway.

The next day, West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel and a convoy of vehicles left the provincial capital of Kimbe and arrived in East New Britain later that afternoon, drawing much attention from all along the way.

On Monday, August 10, officers from both provinces attended a border forum. Addressing them were Muthuvel and Ereman ToBaining Junior of East New Britain.

PMV drivers, especially Route Four buses are having a hard time negotiating the volcano-like craters along the Kokopo-Kerevat-Utmei Highway in the Gazelle district.

What used to take 30 minutes between Kokopo and Kerevat is now taking 60 minutes or more. And the craters are getting larger by the day. Hello, is our national MP and State minister aware of the deteriorating conditions of our roads? Watch the Islands Pages in the coming days for an inside, including personalised interviews with passengers, bus drivers and their crews on the state of this stretch of road. Email us at [email protected] if you have something to say. It’s a disaster right now.

The dry spell is hitting all parts of East New Britain. 

Creeks and small rivers are drying up with green algae forming at the bottom of river beds. 

Water tanks have run dry and schools were sending children home after lunch and even asking children to bring water bottles with them to school everyday. Strong winds were not helping matters as they stir up the dust. Towns such as Kokopo, Rabaul and Kerevat are getting dustier by the day. This has been the norm since late July. 

Natural water wells have been sourced in some parts and can be turned into supply wells, but these need proper set-up and access points. Politicians, provincial and district administrations need to announce their rescue packages.

NEW IRELAND:

Nautilus Minerals chief executive officer and president Michael Johnston confirms that the company will begin mining the seabed off the west coast of Namatanai in 2018. And, this will go on for three years. 

While it is good knowing that Nautilus Minerals had begun work on developing community projects in the impacted communities, our concern is that whatever projects now put in place must be sustained even after mining is gone – that is after 2021. 

Another concern is the impact on the environment, especially marine. As a matter of interest, project development would happen right where an active underwater volcano is now in full swing. Off the beat is the news that Newcrest Mining Ltd, Lihir Mining Area Landowners Association and the Nimamar Local Level Government had reached a consensus on their long-disputed Integrated Benefits Package  agreement. This was reached in Kavieng on the eve of the New Ireland Day.

Pigs were slaughtered and everyone had a goodtime. Fine. Now let’s put our money where our mouth is and focus on creating a sustainable environment for Lihirians, New Irelanders and Papua New Guineans into the future.

Enough of all the infighting, the gorgors and stop-work. Time is running out.

BOUGAINVILLE:

The people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville must continue to speak out  for the Referendum.

It is their future, their children and grandchildren.

ABG vice-President Patrick Nisira meant well when he said: “I want us to come out from our past (meaning the Bougainville crisis and the suffering and pain it brought) and move into the future. We cannot cling onto the past but must move to the destiny we aspire.”

This is true in all aspects of life.

“Together, we can,” he had said.

The Meekamui Defence Force has come out in support of the Bougainville referendum, opting for an independent Bougainville as per the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

Notable is that the group had developed an awareness schedule and programmes for reconciliation and weapons’ disposal exercises.

And, they are talking about re-opening the giant Bougainville copper mine. This move by Commander Moses Pipiro and his group was in line with commitments made in the Peace Agreement.

Well, Nisira and his team are in Port Moresby to consult with Government to prepare for the referendum. PNG is watching and so is the world. Bougainvilleans must go all the way. On the same token, it is a chance for the Bougainvilleans to know what is happening at the national level and processes involved.