Government needs mine’s revenue for independence
Bougainville’s government is in a hurry to reopen the mine, because it needs the revenue if it wants to be viable as an independent country from Papua New Guinea.
President John Momis said the mine is critical to any proposal for independence.
“Will independence be possible without Panguna mine? I don’t think it is possible,” he said.
The Government is now waiting two weeks while the groups negotiate and is planning a public information campaign.
In two years’ time, there will be a referendum on Bougainville to determine if the region should secede from Papua New Guinea.
Some opponents have threatened violence if the proposal to reopen the mine proceeds.
But President Momis says the Government will continue to work towards reopening Panguna, because it believes it’s the best way to provide for the people most affected by its closure.
“This government is committed to make sure that people who have been most detrimentally affected, and the landowners have been in Panguna, we have to look after them,” he said.
Bougainville’s government is in a hurry to reopen the mine, because it needs the revenue if it wants to be viable as an independent country from Papua New Guinea.
President John Momis said the mine is critical to any proposal for independence.
“Will independence be possible without Panguna mine? I don’t think it is possible,” he said.
The Government is now waiting two weeks while the groups negotiate and is planning a public information campaign.
In two years’ time, there will be a referendum on Bougainville to determine if the region should secede from Papua New Guinea.
Some opponents have threatened violence if the proposal to reopen the mine proceeds.
But President Momis says the Government will continue to work towards reopening Panguna, because it believes it’s the best way to provide for the people most affected by its closure.
“This government is committed to make sure that people who have been most detrimentally affected, and the landowners have been in Panguna, we have to look after them,” he said.