3 Jun 2008

Bougainville women call forum to discuss Invicible role

3:07 pm on 3 June 2008

A women's group in the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville says it has called a forum for Thursday so the provincial Government can explain a secret deal with the Canadian company, Invincible Resources.

Invincible has bought a 70 percent stake in the Bogenvil Resource Development Corporation.

The provincial government says the company's role will be to attract and facilitate foreign investment to exploit the province's resources.

But some on the island have called the deal a sellout that gives Invincible control of its valuable mineral resources.

Monica Taga of the Bougainville Interchurch Women's Forum says the people don't know what has been agreed to.

"We don't know about these things this latest development. Who the company belongs to, who are the shareholders and their interest in starting up six new mines."

Monica Taga.

Two months ago the national government began the process of handing down powers which eventually will give the provincial government the right to decide on mining activities.