A LEADING businessman has thrown his support behind moves to reopen the Bougainville mine, saying this is the way forward to rebuild the crisis-torn region.
Kandaso Napi, who became the first national to be awarded a freight forwarding contract by Bougaainville Copper Limited when the mine was operating at its peak, said the Government, Rio Tinto and the landowners need to work together to make sure the mine is reopened.
“It is pleasing to note that Rio Tinto is working cautiously not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The Government too must do the same. The past was created as a consequence of the Government failing its people,” Mr Napi said.
Mr Napi was responding to a recent statement by Rio Tinto Country Manager Mr Paul Coleman that moves on reopening the mine were progressing well.
Mr Coleman said the talks involved the landowners, the Autonomous Region Government and all other stakeholders.
Mr Coleman said it would cost the company around K8 billion to reopen the mine and there was a lot of work to be done.
“We want to get it right for the first time so we don’t get anything from the past,” Mr Coleman told Post-Courier.
Mr Napi said the Panguna mine laid the foundation for the growth of PNG when this country became independent in 1975 and the people of this country owe it to the people to Bougainville to make sure they rebuild their lives.
“The traditional cash crops on Bougainville were abandoned and being rehabilitated only recently. The Autonomous Region of Bouganiville need all the money it can get to rebuild the place and the lives of its people,” Mr Napi said.
He said BCL or Rio Tinto should not shoulder the blame alone for what has happened and all parties should strive to find a way forward.
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