panguna landowners back momis

Source:
The National ? Monday, March 14, 2011
PANGUNA landowners have thrown their support behind President John Momis in his bid to re-open the Bougainville copper mine at the earliest opportunity to prop the autonomous region?s economy.
Interim chairman of Panguna Landowners Association Chris Damana said over the weekend that the landowners were aware of what the president was doing to get the autonomous region back on a credible economic footing.
?On behalf of my people, I want to congratulate our president?s efforts in talking to our friends in Australia during his visit there and his meeting with the chairman of Bougainville Copper Ltd, Peter Taylor.
?From the media reports, our president has handled the issue of re-opening Panguna mine with caution, bearing in mind that we have certain sections in our community who oppose the idea of a re-opening.
?As a leader, I believe our president and Minister for Bougainville Affairs and Trade Fidelis Semoso have both made the right decision to re-open the mine.
?My people of Panguna will fully support our two leaders and all reasonable-thinking Bougainvilleans should also support them.?
Damana praised Momis for arranging a meeting of think-tanks, both from within the country and overseas, to assist in mapping out the future of the region.
Momis had also requested the Australian government to support Bougainville with an annual aid.