The Tumbawinlam Haus or Nimamar Council Chamber was officially opened by New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan amidst much needed showers of blessing after months of a dry spell on Lihir Island. The event marks an end to a milestone achievement for the people of New Ireland and personally for Governor Sir Julius Chan who fulfilled his mission of establishing 10 Council Chambers across 10 LLG’s in a space of 1 year and 3 months. The bright orange coloured Council Chamber is perched magnificently up on the Potzlaka Government station hill, making its striking presence known to all who travel into the Lihir Township bay. Unlike the other Council Chambers the Tumbawinlam Haus was built in partnership with the Nimamar Council who chipped in with counterpart funding of K1.2 million for the K2.4 million building. With their contribution through their business arm Nimamar capital, the Lihirians used their economic power to add their own extensions and designs to the Tumbawinlam Haus. This includes an extra conference room, more offices and a culturally significant figure of the Kabai beside the building. “ Lihir you can be the last, but you are the best,” said Nimamar’s Chairman for Infrastructure and former Deputy Governor Ambrose Silul when expressing his people’s Triumph. The name Tumbawinlam represents the six main clans on the Island. There are a further 21 sub clans. Customary offerings of huge pigs, sizes not seen in other parts of New Ireland and garden food were delivered in true New Ireland fashion by the six main clans on the first day of cultural festivities. The first Council sitting was chaired by President of Nimamar LLG Stanely Tunut with all 15 ward members present. Sir J was invited to deliver his official address to the LLG Council. “Today we witness a new birth and new dawn of Nimamar Council Chamber. The begining of a modern establishment of your local Government by the People, of the People and for the People. This chamber is not for show. It is a legacy project. It will remain beyond our time,” said Sir J. Sir J also urged Lihir mine developer Newcrest to give more back to the communities they are taking from. He reminded the executives that were present of the need for a ring road to be built around Lihir. With a mine life of 15 years left Sir J also called for a mine closure plan and a plan for Lihir after the mine is closed. “You must have a mine closure plan for after the mine operations ceases. What legacy are you going to leave behind for Lihir? Don’t just dig up this Island and leave. To you landowner company directors you must throw your money back into New Ireland, don’t throw it out in Australia or elsewhere. The next project I want to open when I return to Lihir is the ring road,” said Sir J. The Lihir mine project was signed by Sir Julius Chan in March 1995 when he was Prime Minister. 27 impact projects including the Kavieng International Wharf, Boluminski Highway, Namatanai Hospital, Bopire Township and the Kavieng International Airport which is set to be officially opened next month. “I’m not happy because the company is not a small company and it’s a big company. Every year I push for the same thing. If I get back into Government we will review the MOA and push for the ring road to be completed once and for all. If Newcrest can’t do it, who else will. Newcrest is one of the largest Gold mines in the world, it can do better,” said Sir J.