ABG President Issues Warning to people Trying to destabilize Panguna Mine legacy Impact Assessment
By Angeline Karius, in Buka, ARoB - FM 100
The ABG President Ishmael Toroama has issued a warning to people seeking to destabilize the Panguna Legacy Impact Assessment that is ongoing within areas affected by the now defunct Panguna Mine.
Several parties are seeking legal action against Rio Tinto for their role in developing the Panguna Mine and the effects it has had on the environment and the communities around the mine.
The Panguna Legacy Impact Assessment is being funded by Rio Tinto through Tera Tech Coffey who is conducting the assessment.
This will be the first time Rio Tinto has made any commitment to Bougainville since the cessation of mining operations in Panguna, Central Bougainville.
According to President Toroama, the assessment took a lot of hard work and time to get Rio Tinto to at least take responsibility for its actions in developing the Panguna Mine and the effects of it that continues to the present.
“These people are opportunists who saw no reason for a class action suit until the impact assessment was being conducted and the revelation of probable data being collected by Tetra Tech Coffey.
“Our Late Revolutionary leader, Francis Ona sought a K10 billion class action suit against Rio Tinto because his intention was for the company to take responsibility for its actions and for the extent of damage caused by the mine including the civil war that caused the loss of thousands of lives.
“Since the untimely passing of Francis Ona no-one has sought to revive the class action suit nor conduct a proper study on the extent of damage done by mine.
“I will not let people with vested interests tarnish Francis Ona’s legacy and undermine the legitimate government of the people of Bougainville.
“These are so called players who only appear on the scene only when it is convenient for them but never present during the heavy lifting.
“I urge our leaders, the landowners, our people and all stakeholders to refrain from disrupting the assessment and let it be completed.
“Let me be clear, my government is not protecting any other interest but the Panguna landowners and the people of Bougainville who suffered as a result of the mine,” said Toroama.
Toroama said that the work into getting Rio Tinto on the scene must not be in vain.
Toroama added there has to be results that can guide the government and the company to resolving the problems from the mine.
Picture: ABG President, Ishmael Toroama
FM 100 / PNG Today
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