@ SCG
The question should not be based on Francis Ona.
Rather it should be on, how do we engaged the landowners!!
Do not forget, that Bougainville is a matrillineal society.
Women are to be consulted as the legitimate landowners. Men has no real power over land. Why are man trying to out manouver the women??
However, the fact is that there is not true leader representing the landowners, a central figure for that matter. The leadership is fragmented in dealing with the matter.
Landowners are forming associations, the ABG President taking the lead, the Landowner women association are expression their concerns of not being involved, the Mekamui's Mr. Une is making another stand and so forth.
There is no uniting person that can spear head the negotiations. Amid all this political termoil, there are scavengers raoming the island of Bouganville laying their hands on what ever they can to make huge profit before there is stability.
My personal views are that there should be a central figure now be aggressive and diplomatic in dealing with the matter.
The mine will open, with or without Francis Ona.Ona is a hero for all resource owners in PNG. Because of him the LO from Southern Highlands are screwing the papuan Chicks in Pom with all the landouts from Exxon. Panguna landowners will be a lot smarter and wiser in terms of investments after the 2nd opening of the panuguna mine.
Papu I personally think it's to sustain Bougainville. They now have an autonomous govt. What revenues made in Bougainville stays in Bougainville. Next thing they'll be pushing for independence once they are economically stable. That's the whole issue NGI provinces are pushing for; autonomous govt!
it's all good an noble idea for requesting greater control into one's resources.
A question that alwasy haunts mE is,
When all the natural resources(not much) have been depleted what would they rely on in the next 30 years?
Natural resources have a limit, they won't last forever. One day, it'll all be gone... maybe not in our time but in our children's childrens time. It's all be gone and what would our grand children live on and manage their economy? Will they go begging to the international community?
On a personal note.... I think the leaders of the movement care about their our interest. To do something big or to have greater control over their resources etc... but I don't see much after 50 years......
@mE hi mate,
the Autonomous State of Bougainville, nedds a GNP to survive. This is the answer in a nutshell. However this mine will have a limited life of 10 years or so. So the funds should be put into establishing infrastructure for the future. (after the mine cuts out). The state will still need income to survive.
By the way I bough a few shares in BOC at $1.20 the other day. I kick myself for not buying the a year ago at about $0.50 like I was talking about back then.
Why don't you have a heart and think of the people who's land will be destroyed. Yeah, they get money, and look where the money always goes in PNG. Always goes out, overseas, lost and gone forever.
I suggest that the Mekamui Gov. block Morgan Junction again. This is to control movement of so call business people into Panguna. Any person who wishes to enter Panguna must seek authority from ABG with clear intention of visitation and nature of business. The clearance must be confirm with the Mekamui Gov. before entering Panguna.
I think its not right for the BCL to claim the properties of the mine as theirs. They have negleted the people of bouganiville to fight their own battle. The people of Bouganville own Copper Mine and what ever is there from equipments to machines. Let them decide to use that to develop Bouganville or sell to use the monie to develeop themselves.
I hope someone out there is listening.
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sexxiicoolguy
This message has been edited by sexxiicoolguy on Jun 23, 2011 9:47 AM
You hit the nail on the head. The nonrenewable resources are often worth far far more than anything else on or under the ground, but when it's gone, it's gone. We're very poor at handling money, from the bottom all the way up to the top. I reckon we'd be a lot better off leaving all this stuff in the ground because the price will only go up and maybe in the meantime we can learn how to manage money better.
The bigger the landmass/population/resources the powerful a nation is.... no need to say any further. The more you split up the more you become vulnerable to outside exploitation and suppression. One very good example nearby is East Timor. Australians and Americans would always want to see smaller nations collapse so that they take control of their resources.
1. The only people being interviewed were men and I thought land ownership on Bougainville was/is maternal.
2. I think they should do an out of court settlement with Rio-Tinto, these mining companies do not really care about the environment and if you recall the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska back in 1989.
Exxon dragged this case through litigation for over twenty years and only ended up with a slap on the wrists.
3. I do not think this mine should ever be reopened and if it is it should be by anyone else but Rio-Tinto.