No independence without Panguna

A senior Government Minister says as Bougainvilleans we should be asking ourselves where we are from and where we are heading to.

Finance and Treasury Minister. Albert Punghau made this comment when revealing his liking for the re-opening of the Panguna Copper Mine.

Mr. Punghau said it has always been his desire that the mine be opened because it is the only major revenue earner from Bougainville and its people.

He said Bougainville has not really benefited from its operations saying it has been used by outsiders as a milking cow.

Minister Punghau said Australia and Papua New Guinea have used the mine as Papua New Guinea’s cow that help get its independence.

MR. PUNGHAU said that without Panguna Bougainville will not get its independence.

He said Bougainville will need money from the mine to sustain itself for the future.