Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG)

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:

Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) President, Ishmael Toroama, said they will be launching Bougainville Refinery Limited and the Bougainville Water Bottling company.

“These two new companies are initiatives of this government and will begin earning much-needed revenue for Bougainville,” he said during the 2023 dedication service yesterday.

“It is time we stop looking at tax as the only viable revenue earner for Bougainville and start earning revenue that comes directly to the government from our investments.

Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) President, Ishmael Toroama, said for 2023, they will be building more roads, hospitals and schools.

Key programs that are already underway or will be carried out this year are:

Autonomous Bougainville Government President, Ishmael Toroama, condemned the atrocious act, saying “it goes against every effort my government, in collaboration with our police and our communities, are trying to do to curb crime and lawlessness on Bougainville”.

“While I understand the pain and sorrow the family of the young man are going through, I urge them to refrain from further actions,” said the President.

“I am also issuing a stern warning to opportunists from capitalising on this tragedy by trying to cause havoc and mayhem in Arawa Town.

Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama, made the statement during his New Year’s message for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

President Toroama said in the last three years, his government had focused on the post referendum joint consultations with the National Government.

With the 2019 Bougainville Referendum results about to be tabled in the National Parliament for ratification this year, the ABG is focused on capacity building in each of its social and development sectors.

Autonomous Bougainville Government President, Ishmael Toroama, said the real challenge to the government is the method of law enforcement on Bougainville.

“At the swearing in of the current Minister for Police, Bosco Ragu, this year, I mentioned that the Bougainville Police Service functions as a community policing oriented law enforcement agency, as opposed to the Royal Papua New Guinea Police Constabulary’s functions,” said Toroama.

“The BPS does not employ force nor does it have a paramilitary unit to deal with tactical situations.

The ABG has issued this notice to parents and guardians who will have students attending tertiary institutions in the 2023 academic year.

There are 4 forms for 2023:

The MoU, signed on 25 November in Port Moresby, will pave the way for more efficient and effective collaborations between the ABG Department of Lands and UNOPS, with expansion into the provision of project management, procurement and infrastructure development services in Bougainville.

ABG Minister for Lands, Physical Planning, Environment and Conservation, Amanda Masono, says this arrangement will provide a valuable boost to her Ministry and Department, particularly in progressing towards a green economy for Bougainville.

The first step is reclaiming the company’s former holdings in Bougainville by agreeing to abide by the terms of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) on inward investment.

Bray expressed the company's gratitude to the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the people of Bougainville for their confidence allowing the company to reclaim the lands they leased before the Bougainville crisis, and because of their history together, he hopes this relationship can continue.