By STEPHANIE ELIZAH

Newly appointed  minister  forPolice in the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and Vice President Patrick Nisira is in dialogue  with  the  United  States and  Japanese Governments on apossible removable or destruction of World War Two (WW2) weapons, ammunition   and explosives in Bougainville.

Nisira said the ABG is concerned at the incidences of people removing WW2 weapons and ammunitions currently stored at Torokina, West Coast of Bougainville, and selling these weapons to criminal groups in Bougainville.

“This activity has been a serious concern for us as a Government, as Torokina has always been the supply point for guns and   ammunitions during and after the Bougainville Crisis,” said Nisira.

He added that the ABG in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has successfully contained about 1500 weapons under a UN sponsored “Weapons  Disposal Program” in 2010  but the  re-supply of weapons and especially ammunitions have been accessed through the WW2 cache at Torokina.

“I have requested from these governments that arrangements be resurrected as a 2nd phase of development to conduct a survey for a possible removal or destruction of WW2 weapons, ammunition and explosives,” said Nisira.

He said the second phase of arrangements would help to alleviate issues experienced involving guns currently.