Toroama announces creation of economic zone
13 December 2020
ANTHONY KAYBING
| Office of the President
BUKA – Bougainville’s president Ishmael Toroama has vowed to continue to protect landowner rights as the region embarks on an energetic program of economic development.
President Toroama was announcing the Bana Special Economic Zone at Mamarego Primary School in the Bana District of South Bougainville.
The Bana people have taken the first step to establishing the economic zone along Augusta Bay.
The project is intended to create development by tapping into the agriculture, fisheries and tourism industries and creating economic opportunities for Bougainville by attracting greater investment.
To mark the launch President Toroama planted a coconut tree and received a report from lands minister, Robert Hamal Sawa.
“I’ve fought for our land, I’ve fought for our resources and I’ve fought for the identity of our people to become an independent nation,” President Toroama said.
“I have confidence that our people will work together with our government to ensure that this project is successfully implemented for the benefit of Bougainville.
“I stand here today at Mamarego as tribute to our revolutionary founding fathers to pledge to the people of Bana District and Bougainville of the government’s support to this project,” he said.
He urged the people to continue to support the project as it progresses towards its development phase.
The project is the third high impact project initiated by the Toroama government.
The president has already launched the Manetai limestone project in Central Bougainville and the Tonolei integrated agriculture project in South Bougainville.
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