High hopes for Bougainville limestone mining

5:00 pm on 3 November 2020

The Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama is hoping to re-ignite limestone mining as he continues his push to develop the economy.

Part of the Eivo-torau reconciliation

Part of the Eivo-torau reconciliation Photo: supplied

At the weekend he welcomed a reconciliation in the Eivo-Torau Constituency which he hoped would pave the way for the redevelopment of the defunct Manetai Limestone Project.

The president congratulated the people, the landowners and leaders for taking the first necessary step to creating economic opportunities.

He said the people, as the resource owners, must take control of Bougainville's political destiny through participation in the economic sector.

Toroama said the rights of the people, as resource owners, must come first, meaning the people had to give their consent to any development.

The president also said new land legislation this year would reflect the people of Bougainville's aspirations as owners of their lands and resources and masters of their own destiny.

As part of President Toroama's first 100-day Plan, facilitating economic recovery was high on the agenda, including such projects as the Special Economic Zone in Bana district and the Tonolei Project in Buin.

President of Bougainville Ishmael Toroama at Eivo-Torau reconciliation

President of Bougainville Ishmael Toroama at Eivo-Torau reconciliation Photo: supplied