The governments of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville have settled on US$173.5-million (621 million-kina) as the total amount of money the former owes the latter.
It s one of the resolutions of a fruitful meeting between PNG s prime minister James Marape and Ishmael Toroama, the president of the autonomous region of Bougainville.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape (centre) arrives in Arawa for talks with Bougainville s President Ishmael Toroama (second from right) 5 February, 2021
Photo: PNG PM Media
At the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting in Arawa, the two sides set out a basic framework for consultations over the outcome of Bougainville s independence referendum.
The Papua New Guinea and autonomous Bougainville governments are meeting today in Arawa for the latest talks on Bougainville s post-referendum process.
The Bougainville Joint Consultative Body is the primary forum for both governments to discuss issues and comply with the requirements of the Peace Agreement.
Papua New Guinea s Prime Minister James Marape (left) arrives in Arawa for talks hosted by Bougainville s President, Ishmael Toroama (right) 5 February, 2021.
Photo: PNG PM Media
The latest meeting of the joint body is co-chaired by PNG s Prime Minister James Marape and Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama.
The National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs director Dr Henry Okole said under the PNG government stood committed to fulfilling all its responsibilities under the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
Bougainville s President has firmly rejected a claim that an Australian company, Caballus Mining, will operate the Panguna mine.
Ishmael Toroama has released a statement in response to a landowner group, Panguna Tangkuúrang Chiefs, claiming that they d given approval for Caballus.
The Panguna copper and gold mine in Bougainville was closed down for operations in 1989 at the start of the civil war.
Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
The company had been in talks with the Autonomous Bougainville Government under former president John Momis regarding the potential re-opening of the large copper and gold mine.
But Toroama has made a clear departure from any links with the company.