Bougainville

Following negotiations with aggrieved service providers, local authorities, and police, the office resumed operations, paving the way for the upcoming combatant’s by-election in South Bougainville to progress.

Buin Police Station Commander Inspector John Popui hailed the reopening as positive news for the people, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts at the local level for governance and law and order. The reopening marked the OBEC officers' return to duty preparing for the imminent by-election.

The eruption has prompted a collaborative effort between Bougainville and Australia to deliver much-needed assistance to affected communities.

In a commendable display of cooperation, supplies including crucial hygiene kits, water containers, and essential household items have been swiftly transported to Buka by Australian Defence Force aircraft, namely the C-27 and C-130.

The eruption had left a trail of destruction, displacing hundreds of women, men, and children.

At the request of both the Papua New Guinea and Bougainville governments, a significant delivery of humanitarian supplies took place on August 10th. Jon Philp, the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, accompanied by Colonel Travis Gordon, Defence Adviser, oversaw the delivery. The supplies were transported via an Australian Defence Force C-27 aircraft, landing in Buka, the capital of Bougainville.

During a poignant ceremony held in Kokopo, East New Britain, a PNG Defence Force vessel departed for Bougainville, carrying essential food and relief supplies for the thousands affected by the recent eruption of Mt Bagana.

These items were a heartfelt gift from the people of Papua New Guinea and East New Britain, symbolising the nation's solidarity with Bougainville during their time of hardship.

Prime Minister Marape expressed his gratitude to Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroamo, for permitting the PNG Defence Force vessel to enter Bougainville.

Families have set up makeshift houses in the gaping pit, and men, women and children pass their days digging for whatever gold and copper they can reach.

It's risky and dangerous work, but many feel they have no other option.

They live among decaying infrastructure and the skeleton of the mine's concentrator, left over from the massive operation run by Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) between 1972 and 1989.

This advanced digitized data system, developed in 2022, is being supported by the Australian Government in collaboration with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

Paul Lehmann, the Minister Counsellor from the Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea, visited the Buka Police Station to observe the implementation and rollout of the new OB.

The need for a cost of service exercise for Bougainville was one of the key outcomes identified during the 2022 Bougainville Trade and Investment Conference.

This exercise aims to help the Autonomous Bougainville Government understand its administrative and service delivery priorities.

This was made possible following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the ABG Department of Justice and the Office of the Public Trustee of Papua New Guinea early this month.

The MoU now allows for the delegation of some public trustee powers and functions to be performed by the ABG Department of Justice.

ABG Secretary for Justice, Kearnneth Nanei, said this was an outstanding MoU that was supposed to be signed in 2022 during the Public Trustee Training in Bougainville, however it did not eventuate.

The Cyber Sawe PNG initiative is part of the CPL Foundation's key objective to enhance education and empowerment for women and girls in Papua New Guinea.

The initiative aims to expand the knowledge of children, particularly young girls, on computer technology and safety practices while using mobile phones and computers on the internet.

The two-day workshop, held from February 18th to 19th, was attended by over 30 young people who learned various topics such as Cybergames, Physical Security, Digital Traces, Cyber Safety, and Coding.

This was in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and the New Zealand Government.

The construction of new market project has been a priority for the governments to support women who earn income from selling fresh garden food.

The project welcomed youths and the community to participate in and freely showcase their creativity and talent.