swearing in

Governor for Manus, Charlie Benjamin nominated the leader of PANGU Pati. The nomination was seconded by Finschaffen MP Renbo Paita and closed by the Governor for Western Governor Taboi Awi Yoto.

97 parliamentarians voted for Marape. Ialibu-Pangia MP, Peter O’Neill and Maprik MP Gabriel Kapris left the chambers so as not to participate in the election of a Prime Minister.

Marape was headed to Government House to be sworn-in.

The ceremony was officiated by the Governor General Sir Bob Dadae at 3:15pm. Following the formalities, Mr Pomat was adjourned with the attire of the speaker and a toast to the Queen.  

Accompanying Mr. Pomat was Clerk of Parliament Kala Aufa, Finschaffen MP, Renbo Paita, Hela Governor Philip Undialu and Goroka MP, Aiye Tambua. 

Mr. Pomat immediately turned back for the Parliament House when his swearing-in ceremony was over, to coordinate the election of the Prime Minister of the new government.

The Commission consists of 40 members who take on the task of drafting a home-grown constitution for an independent sovereign state of Bougainville in the near future.

President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Ishmael Toroama, stressed that independence was Bougainville’s agenda and the Commission now has the important task of working together to create a constitution that reflects the dreams and aspirations of Bougainville.

They are Judith Stenis and Joseph Aka. They will serve as Commissioners of the Public Services Commission for a period of five years.

Stenis was appointed acting Commissioner in October 2020. Her appointment as Commissioner today follows the revocation of that earlier appointment.

The appointment of the two commissioners by the PSC Appointments Committee has been gazetted in the National Gazette. PSC Chairman, Apeo Sione attended and witnessed the swearing in ceremony.