Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB)

She comes from Reito Village from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, and her dream is to see the next generation of Bougainvilleans complete 12 years of schooling.

Debbra believes that by educating young people, Bougainville can strive towards prosperity, and she feels responsible for educating these children to ensure that the community has higher education levels in the future.

Her passion for teaching motivated her to work as an unpaid teacher for many years before qualifying as a teacher in 2007.

The incident was recorded and shared on social media.

Arore said his sentiments uttered during the episode were not meant to destroy or tarnish the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG); rather a general observation of the Buka airport facility.

Mr Arore, in a media conference in Port Moresby, clarified that what transpired at Buka airport, was misconstrued.

“I was intimidated by the security personnel at the airport for checking my luggage after already being checked and uttered those sentiments.

Patrick Koles was sworn in as the Member for Haku Constituency whilst Didymus Napto Kissu was sworn in as Member for Nissan following the recent by-election of the constituencies.

Both members were elected to their respective seats following the deaths of the former constituency Members – Late Xavier Kareku, the then Member for Haku who passed on in March last year whilst in office and Late Charry Napto, Member for Nissan, who lost his life in a tragic incident two years ago.

ABG Minister for Community Government, Theonila Matbob, said this in her maiden ministerial statement yesterday in the first session of the Bougainville House of Representatives.

She said the support is continuing under an Australian government funded program involving the construction of 19 community government offices and community halls. This will provide community governments and wards with functional spaces for elected women and men to exercise leadership and administrative duties, including other local activities.

President Ishmael Toroama reiterated during the recent cabinet reshuffle, and appointment of new ministers, that the six-point strategy of his government is the guiding principle in achieving the ultimate goal of making Bougainville independent politically, socially and economically.

“Every Minister in the Bougainville Executive Council (BEC) is expected to utilise the six-point strategy to achieve your respective ministry and department’s strategic plans and development goals,” he said.

The Six-Point Strategy is:

Three Ministers have been decommissioned with three new appointments to replace them and a reshuffle within cabinet saw several Ministers reassigned to new portfolios.

The new ministers that were sworn in on Tuesday include:

Secretary Alex Kerangpuna said representative groups from the 33 constituencies throughout ARoB can start lodging their applications for screening at the department by the newly-established steering committee.

Kerangpuna said the total number of applications that the screening committee is expected to receive is 33 applications per constituency.

He added that those applications should solve an urgent challenge that a constituency wanted to address quickly and encouraged for each constituency to identify a project that can be funded but at the cost of K200,000.

According to the department, it was necessary because both returning and new students were offloaded from flights. Flights from Buka and Aropa have been downgraded.

Minister for Higher Education, Don Polye said, “I already gave instructions to the DHERST Secretary to advise all Higher Educational Institutions to ensure ARoB students’ positions are secured.”

In compliance to the Minister’s advice, Secretary Dr. Francis Hualupmomi issued a circular to all institutions on Friday 10 February, 2023 to accept late registrations.

This is another major milestone achievement for the district.

The VSAT was installed at Tomau 2 ward to provide internet access to the local area.

Located in the old CDA building in the Beretemba area, the satellite site will offer high-speed internet to residents and businesses in the area, bringing them access to the world of online communication, information and opportunities.

“We are thrilled to bring internet access to this community,” said Junior Walolo, local ward leader and aspiring entrepreneur.

This was the question posed to public servants by Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) President, Ishmael Toroama, during the 2023 dedication service yesterday.

“To answer this question, you first have to find your purpose in your role as a member of the Bougainville Public Service,” said the president.

“This applies to our leaders as well as our civil servants.

“Having a greater sense of purpose will influence how we carry out our duties, how we set our goals and the definitive direction that we wish to embark on.