Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama, said any development talks on the controversial Panguna Mine will be put on hold currently, until the government is comfortable knowing that all parties involved are ready and willing to talk about re-opening.

Mr. Toroama made this remark at Roreinang in the South Nasioi Constituency of inland Central Bougainville onThursday 15 April, when introducing the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Independence-ready Mission to the people there.

He said it is no secret that the region only generates K20 million from revenues which is insufficient to sustain it economically.

President Toroama said while Bougainville is looking into projects that will propel it forward to be economically sound as it works towards independence, it cannot talk about Panguna just yet.

Among projects the government has looked into includes, restoration of the Manetai Limestone Project in Central Bougainville, and for an investor to come in before the end of this year to consult on the Tonolei timber project in South Bougainville.

President Toroama further revealed that the Kieta Port will also start making exports of processed cocoa.

He said he wants people working hard and developing original products which are Bougainvillean.

Mr. Toroama also said Small to Medium Enterprises (SME’s) in the region must also register themselves so they are able to pay taxes to the government that will help strengthen Bougainville’s tax and revenue bases.

He said by doing this, it will show that the region is ready for independence and would be able to fend for itself.

The president said people are only delaying the arrival of an independent state, when they do not have regard for the law and are not serious to work individually and in support of the ultimate desire of self-rule.

“When you destroy schools, hospitals or communication towers, you are not helping to ready Bougainville for independence.

“We must respect government properties, we must work with development partners and we must work hard within our families, our communities and constituencies to make Bougainville Independence-ready.

“We must work on our cocoa blocks. We must grow our small businesses and we must create original products to market to grow our economy.

“Since assuming office, I have been cleaning out our government and its agencies. Government departments are aligning themselves with the government’s six-point strategy to attain independence for Bougainville, and that is the preparation we are undertaking at the top level. At our family, village and community levels we must also undertake some preparations. Let’s work our land, tend our cocoa, grow our economy and respect the rule of law.

“Only then can we be seen to be ready to be an independent nation,” President Toroama said.

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