Kiribati Recieves Phosphate Report On Banaba Atoll

Ten years of research has culminated in the Banaban Report, a detailed study of phosphate mining on the Kiribati atoll island of Banaba (Ocean Island).The report, produced by SOPAC and commissioned by the Kiribati government, was presented to its President Anote Tong in a special ceremony in Suva recently. SOPAC is a division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

Caption: Kiribati President Anote Tong (left) receives the Banaban Report from SOPAC Director Dr. Russell Howorth (right), while SPC Deputy Director General (centre) Mrs. Fakita ‘Utoikamanu looks on.

In presenting the report, SOPAC’s Director, Dr. Russell Howorth said that the contents were a milestone of achievement. “The challenges of sustaining such work over the long period of time is an endorsement of both Kiribati and SOPAC’s partnership commitment to the project,” said Dr. Howorth.

Joining Dr. Howorth at the presentation was SPC’s Deputy Director General, Mrs. Fakita ‘Utoikamanu, who said that SPC would investigate the use of its wider resources to further develop the resources on Banaba Island as an extension of the report.

President Tong accepted the report on behalf of the Kiribati government and thanked SOPAC for all the support it has given “to his country over the years.”

Last Updated on Thursday, 10 March 2011 14:09

Comment by Ken Sigrah on March 11, 2011 at 12:33: Thanks Stacey for putting up this article as I wonder if the Banaban Governing body the Rabi Council of Leaders might have any idea at all about this matter but then it will also be a test for our main governing body for our homeland Banaba, the Kiribati Parliament, whether they will notify RCL of this report or not.... time will tell but it will be very interesting too to hear other Banaban Landowners' point of view.

Teke raoi.

KS.

Comment by Stacey King on March 11, 2011 at 9:52: Please make sure you add your comments here on under Banaban Voice.

Kiribati needs to be reminded that there are hundreds of Banaban landowners who have already decided the future of their homeland and are prepared to do the project themselves.

Banaban landowners are united in their aim to rehabilitate their homeland not destroy it more or just turn it into a quarry. Their rehabilitation plans incorporate all this for the benefit of not only the Island but its people!

Comment by Stacey King on March 11, 2011 at 9:29: While the Kiribati President receives Phosphate report from SOPAC in Suva - Banabans already plan their Rehabilitation of homeland-Banaban Vision

Kiribati Recieves Phosphate Report On Banaba Atoll

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