Counting for the North Bougainville by-election is into the quality checks now after the completion of primary counts.
This follows a temporary suspension after concerns that transparent counting was not done right.
Results after progressive count number eight are as follows for the top five candidates,
Lauta Atoi -477
Francesca Semoso – 320
Noel Sarei -113
Jeffrey Magum- 67
Martin Takali -17
Courtesy: NBC Buka
Counting is down in Buka. At least four women are in this race.
The by-election of the North Bougainville Seat follows the passing of former member William Nakin in July 2022.
Since the formation of the 11th National Parliament, the people of North Bougainville has been without a representative on the floor of National Parliament.
Teams conducting the Coastal Water Survey in Bougainville have been deployed to all three districts in the Region.
The survey is vital as it will allow the transfer of fisheries powers from the National Fisheries Department, to the Autonomous Bougainville Government and will be carried out within three nautical miles in Bougainville.
This move is considered a significant progress towards Bougainville’s political aspirations, especially in defining territorial sovereignty and rights through the reference coordinates for baseline, internal waters and coastal waters.
It is being facilitated through the ABG Department of Primary Industries & Marine Resources, the National Fisheries Authority, the National Department of Justice and Attorney General, the National Maritime Safety Authority and the Geoscience Energy & Maritime (GEM) Division of Pacific Community (SPC).
The findings of this survey will help Bougainville in mapping its coastal hazards or disasters such as tsunamis in coastal communities.
The Coastal Waters Survey is aligned with the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for formalizing maritime boundaries. By aligning with UNCLOS, this enhances Bougainville’s standing on the international stage.
Being a martime region, the ABG believes this survey will enhance maritime services, regulate shipping, and boost economic development
An additial bonus the survey gives the maritime benefits, is that the Coastal Water Survey adds value for future land demarcation, paving way for development, including road infrastructure projects
People from the Atolls in Bougainville will have access to electricity supply and water purifying projects set to commence in the coming weeks.
Through the 2023 High Impact Projects coordinated by Bougainville President, Ismael Toroama, locals on the Bougainville atolls will be recipients of five new Solar Mini Grids and Desalination Plants.
The project that costs K9.5 million will be built on Petats, Fead, Mortlock and Tasmas Islands and was awarded to local contractor DNF Engineering.
President Toroama said that the project is designed to provide people with the basic necessities of life and improve their livelihood within their communities.
“The rest of Bougainville takes for granted our ease of access to clean and safe drinking water. On the atolls it is a precious resource that they conserve and use wisely,” President Toroama said.
“Access to clean and safe drinking water is a universal right that I want our people in the Atolls to have. I urge our people in the Atolls to take ownership of this important development and use it to empower our communities,” President Toroama said.
President Toroama said that clean energy is the way to go with energy generation and the plants will not cause any harm to the environment and marine life in atolls.
The Mini Solar Grid and Desalination Plants will be constructed on communal areas, such as churches and schools, to enable greater community access by the people.
The Office of the President will also be conducting a feasibility study on the possible construction of a larger plant for Buin, Buka and Arawa Towns in the near future.
