Panguna landowners host annual meeting

The Special Mining Lease Osikaiyang Landowners Association (SMLOLA) in Panguna, Bougainville, held its annual general meeting (AGM) on Dec 21 to report back to members on significant activities they conducted during the year.
Given the three-year term, the board was also up for renewal, a new election was held for all officers and board members, with the addition of more members to ensure they had a broad representation of their constituents.
The previous leadership team, including Philip Miriori as chairman, was also re-elected, together with six other office bearers.
This demonstrated the strong support for significant progress and unity the team had achieved over the last three-year term.
Miriori was supported by former chairman, Lawrence Daveona, who remains as his chief adviser.
Previously strong opponents, the two men reconciled in 2017 and have been working diligently together ever since they signed their deed-of-settlement in December 2017.
Miriori said this was one of the best boards the SMLOLA had ever had.
He said this was because it had people from all seven villages and ward areas of the SMLOLA represented, and the board was also made up of both old and young.
“Importantly, we have a strong representation by women, who own the land under our Nasioi custom,” Miriori said.
“As chairman of the SMLOLA board, I will keep on making sure that our people in the SMLOLA areas are treated fairly and that their voices can be heard in regards to decisions concerning their future.”
Miriori promised the members that he would always be available to listen to their concerns and would work hard to advocate for lasting peace in Panguna.
During the meeting, they also discussed and formally approved nomination of RTG Mining Incorporated as the preferred developer for the Panguna project.