stage set for aropa airport development

19.03.2014
Source: Post-Courier

Stage set for Aropa airport development
By ROMULUS MASIU

THE first stage for the re-opening of the defunct Aropa International Airport will take place today with a ground breaking ceremony.
This will see the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the landowners, Autonomous Bougainville Government and the national Government. The MoU will enable the Civil Aviation Authority to fasttrack the progress of the airport’s commissioning as its current status since 1989 is "decommissioned".

The last flight out of Aropa Airport was in 1989 when the crisis broke out, since then the airport closed altogether.

Today will mark another milestone for Bougainville in terms of vital government service delivery returning to the autonomous region after the decade long conflict.
Minister for State Enterprises in the National Parliament Ben Micah will officiate at the ground breaking tradition along with Minister for Civil Aviation Steven Davies. Mr Micah and Mr Davies (Samarai-Murua) along with local MP Jimmy Miringtoro will represent Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the national Government at the ceremony at Aropa.
The ABG will be led by President John Momis, Regional MP Joseph Lera, Luke Karaston (Minister for Works), Nicholas Darku (Minister for DPI) and John Ken (ABG Member for South Nasioi) and other local leaders. Highlights of the ground breaking ceremony will see customary obligation called (domangmingta) wherein those who were killed during the Bougainville Crisis at the "Aropa Airport Battle" will be respected and compensated.
The Aropa airport was a fighting zone during the crisis where many fierce battles were fought between the BRA and the PNG Defence Force.
Ishmael Toroama will be a guest speaker also representing the ex-combatants of Bougainville, among other speakers.
It is understood the national government cabinet ministers and other dignitaries will fly into Aropa airport from Port Moresby.