Autonomous Bougainville Government

National reconciliation set for November

The reconciliation, which was approved at the March Joint Supervisory Body meeting, is targeted at former combatants and members of the PNG security forces including defence, police and correctional services.

Acting Chief Secretary to the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Col. Thomas Raivet (Rtd), said this reconciliation is critical and must happen before the referendum to ensure Bougainvilleans are free to vote in November.

National reconciliation ceremony deferred

Scheduled to be held on the same day as Bougainville day, the event has been moved to the first week of July.

A reconciliation ceremony between the National Government and its armed entities and the people of Bougainville and the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, planned for Saturday June 15 at Panguna, will now take place on the 2nd of July.

Minister for Bougainville Affairs, Sir Puka Temu, said the actual date will be confirmed once both the National Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government consult.

Referendum Roadshow underway

The Bougainville Referendum Roadshow is an initiative of the United Nations in conjunction with the ABG with the objective to meet with key stakeholders in the three regions of Bougainville.

The Roadshow will also give the leadership the opportunity to inform and engage with the people at the community level: this allows for information regarding the referendum, post referendum planning and related activities to be widely discussed.

This will all be underlined by the key message “Peace by peaceful means, Unity and Rule of Law”.

I will not stand down: ABG Chief Secretary

The five-point petition alleges malpractice within the ABG and calls for immediate investigations as well as sidelining of government officials, among them, President John Momis and Nobetau.

For the ABG Chief Secretary, the petition calls for an investigation into Nobetau’s alleged involvement in the awarding of citizenship to Djoko Tjandra.

The petition by services providers and ex-combatants was delivered on December 3rd alleging malpractices in the ABG, claiming there is incompetency, corruption and a system of favouritism.

Collaborative effort to move B’ville forward

Speaking at the Central Bougainville Development Forum in Wakunai District, ABG President Chief Dr John Momis said the solidarity exemplified by Bougainville leaders must also be exercised by the people.

President Momis said he was impressed by the initiative by Central Bougainville MP, Sam Akoitai, in mobilising all development stakeholders in Central Bougainville to further development in the area.

“I agree with Mr Akoitai that there is no time for spectators; we must actively participate in developing Central Bougainville and Bougainville as a whole,” Momis stated.

B’ville gets new Economic Development Minister

“This decision is to maintain solidarity within the cabinet and further the progress of economic development on Bougainville,” said President Momis.

“This change in leadership will allow for a new approach to generating much-needed revenue for Bougainville as we prepare for the referendum and what may come after.

“We are now on the last stretch of our political journey and to be able to manage our own affairs we need revenue.”

Polio campaign launched in ARoB

Secretary of the Health Department in the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Clement Totavun, said the polio campaign will target an estimated 116,000 children in Bougainville, starting from the age of 15 down to newborn babies.

He said the campaign has started already in parts of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, particularly in South Bougainville.

“The intensive campaign will run for about two weeks until the 21st of October,” Totavun stated.

“180 health workers will be engaged in about 80 polio clinic sites set up across the Island.”

Joint referendum campaign continues in ENB

With support from the National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs, the United Nations Development Programme and the Peacebuilding Fund, the two governments are delivering as one to increase knowledge and understanding of the referendum, provide updates with regard to ongoing weapons disposal efforts, and information on the wider implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

High-level delegation to visit PNG, ARoB

The visit is part of the Fund’s continued efforts to highlight results from its cooperation with the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government in preparation for a free, fair and violence-free referendum for the political status of Bougainville.

Delegates from Australia, Belgium, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and Norway will meet with representatives from the two Governments over their five days in the country.

ABG cracks down on corruption

In a statement, Chief Secretary Joseph Nobetau, in his six-month update to the people, said corruption must stop now.

“Four more Department heads have been petitioned for allegations of serious misconduct, matters that are now subject to Independent Boards of Inquiry established under the Bougainville Senior Appointments Act,” Nobetau said.

“Corruption is not only against the law. It is stealing from Bougainville – it is selling out on our dream, our future, and the idea that we are destined for a higher level of behaviour.”