ABG

ABG condemns killing of geologist

On behalf of the Bougainville Executive Government and its people, President Momis expressed sorrow for the loss of a very talented and experienced geologist from Enga Province.

“It is deeply regrettable that this experienced geologist came here to share his skills and expertise with Bougainville and to lose his life this way is totally unacceptable and the people of Bougainville are truly very sorry for this unfortunate incident,” he said.

ABG Speaker recalls parliament

This follows an advice from the Acting President, Raymond Masono, confirming the dates for the Joint Supervisory Body meeting in Buin, South Bougainville, and National Executive Council meeting in Buka.

The Speaker issued a notice fixing August 21st as the date for the next meeting of the House. The House will resume at 2pm.

The Speaker said the House is recalled purposely to receive the Prime Minister of PNG, James Marape’s address to the House in session on the date agreed to in consultation by both governments.

ABG calls for police powers

He said the ABG should take on the responsibility to improve the local police force.

President Momis stated that the current arrangement is not working, because Bougainville is in a typical post war situation, where it needs to balance between trying to develop new things, and at the same time to reconstruct.

“I don’t think we have the necessary police discipline and training.

“I would like to take a position with the impending referendum, you need law and order, you need conducive atmosphere, so this is a core enforcement agency and is very important.

The Pros and Cons of autonomy

Trettel shared this view during the presentation of her paper on “Political Autonomy Study” draft.

This presentation was facilitated by the National Research Institute as one of its seven key studies under the PNG NRI Bougainville Referendum Research project.

The paper refers to examples of other autonomous governments almost similar to Bougainville, from which PNG and the Autonomous region of Bougainville.

ABG and NFA signs MoU

This is part of the drawing down of powers and functions by the National Government to the ABG in preparation for referendum 2019.

A Memorandum of Understanding to effect the drawing down of powers was also signed. The event took place at the Bel Isi Park, Buka in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Fisheries Minister, Patrick Basa, was on hand to officially hand over the amount.

ABG needs opposition: Leader

Right now there is no opposition within the ABG to allow for healthy debate on issues affecting Bougainvilleans.

This was one of the concerns raised by Chairman of the Special Mining Lease Osikaiyang Landowners Inc, Philip Miriori, on the approval given to Bougainville Copper Limited to operate on Bougainville.

“We didn’t know BCL was secretly talking with the ABG. We were caught off guard when the President did a reshuffle and word got out that BCL would be making a re-entry.”

Lera applauds preparation of Bougainville’s Referendum

Earlier this week in an agreement signing between the National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government and their two electoral commissions, the PNG Electoral Commission and the Bougainville Electoral Commission, agreed for an establishment of an independent body, the Bougainville Referendum Commission (BRC), which will oversee the running of Bougainville’s Referendum.

Masiu aids ABG MPs

Masiu had gave K110,000 from his discretionary fund of K250,000 annually to the 11 ABG Members for the Southern Region.

The members include: Torokina, BABA, Lato, Bolave, Kopii, Motuna Huyuno Tokunotui, Ramu, Makis, Baubake, Lule and Konnou.

This is part of Masiu's ongoing support to his fellow ABG MPs in his electorate.

He said unity amongst leadership of South Bougainville is the only way forward.

“As the saying goes....if the elephants clash, the grass suffers thus if the leaders clash the people suffers.”

Momis encourages all-inclusive consultative approach

ABG President, Dr John Momis made this statement as he welcomed the Parliamentary Bi-partisan Committee on the Referendum chaired by Southern Highlands Governor, William Powi.

Powi was accompanied by Madang Governor, Jim Kas and Nuku MP Joe Sungi to Bougainville recently.

“Both governments should concentrate on how best to engage each other in a transparent and principled manner that is mutually acceptable to both sides and more over beneficial to the people of Bougainville,” said Momis.

ABG shares to be held in BIEG

Acting ABG Secretary for Economic Development, Albert Kinani said the entity being the business arm of the ABG is responsible for all investments made by the government and that includes the ABG’s shares in the Chebu Shipping Company and the recently acquired shares in the Bougainville Import Export General (BIEG) Corporation Limited.

Kinani explained that in the case of BIEG, the company is currently trading as a private company which under the Company’s Act of 1997 allows for people or entities to purchase shares in the company.