The president of the Autonomous Bougaville Government (ABG) has condemned the arson attack on a foreign mining company’s equipment at the Panguna mine site.
President Ishmael Toroama said he strongly condemned the actions of those who assaulted personnel and destroyed equipment at the Lloyds Metals camp.
He said his government and the people of the autonomous Papua New Guinea region will not be intimidated by people seeking to undermine efforts to redevelop the Panguna Mine.
Toroama said while the majority of Bougainvilleans look forward to this development, certain elements have chosen to undermine it.
“The actions of these individuals are selfish and serve only their own greedy intent,” Toroama said in a statement late Sunday.
“They do not have the best interests of our government or our people at heart. This type of behaviour has no place in Bougainville and will not be tolerated.”
Lloyds was selected by the ABG almost a year ago as one of the developers involved in assessing the future rehabilitation and possible reopening of the copper and gold mine.
Regarding the attack on Lloyds personnel and equipment, Toroama said those responsible for this incident will face the full force of the law through the Bougainville Police Service.
“A coordinated community effort is also underway to apprehend the suspects and prevent any further incidents of this nature.”
The president said the incident will only strengthen the resolve of those behind the effort “to enforce the government’s mandate to reopen the Panguna Mine.”
“Let me be very clear: this government is of the people and by the people.
“We will not cower to terroristic acts of violence designed to cause disunity and distract us from our agenda of creating a socio-politically and economically viable Bougainville.”
The Panguna Landowners Interim Council issued a statmement on Monday, also condemning the attack.
“We strongly condemn this act of arson and make it clear that the five landowning clans and the Panguna Landowners Interim Council do not condone, authorise or support criminal acts, destruction of property, intimidation or violence,” the Council’s chairman Samson Kaissy said.
The Council has distanced itself from the incident.
“The legitimate interests of the Panguna landowners must not be confused with the actions of individuals who choose to break the law.
“Our customary land ownership carries with it a responsibility to protect the integrity of the land, the people and the future development of Panguna.”
Kaissy said the Council is calling on those responsible, and anyone who may have information about the incident, to cooperate with the appropriate authorities and allow the matter to be dealt with through the proper legal processes.
“I wish to express our sincere apology to Lloyds Panguna Metals & Energy Ltd (LPMEL) for the deliberate burning and destruction of your machinery.”
