Autonomous Region of Bougainville

The dedication service began with a ‘unity walk’ from the ABG Polytech Centre to the United Church, led by ABG Minister for Public Service, Joseph Mona, Member for Atolls, Pais Taehu and Acting Chief Secretary, Shadrach Himata.

Speaking at the dedication service, ABG Acting Chief Secretary Himata reflected on the theme of the service ‘God is interested in you and you are worthy to serve Him’, calling on public servants to renew their commitment to serving God by serving the people of Bougainville.

This assurance by PNG Ports comes at a time when the region’s push for self-governance is gaining momentum.

PNG Ports made known during a recent meeting with stakeholders in Buka and Kieta that its presence in Bougainville would remain to enable the flow of goods into the region.

PNG Ports owns and operates the Buka and Kieta ports in Bougainville as part of its community service obligation (CSO).

On Ormot Island in the Morobe province, the islanders share the impacts of the shrinking islands due to the rise in sea level.

Ormat Islander Sipora Nargara said, “We are islanders. We live on fish and there is no fish where they wanted us to resettle. We are not used to life there.”

In Milne Bay, provincial disaster officer Steven Tobessa said the province has over 600 small islands and atolls. He anticipates locations for these islanders in the near future.

Little did he know that there was an opportunity ahead of him when he decided to pack his bag and leave home during the Bougainville Crisis in 1989.

He was just a boy leaving mum and dad behind to follow his big sister and her husband to Laiagam in Enga Province.

“When the crisis began people from other provinces were leaving, my sister and her husband had packed up to board a ship to Lae. My tambu (brother-in-law) at that time knew some people working on the ship and arranged for our travel out as soon as possible,” Steven recalls.

President Ishmael Toroama made this statement on Monday when addressing the Budget Consultation Workshop in Arawa, led by the ABG Department of Treasury and Finance.

He said the Bougainville Executive Council had passed the budget framework in April this year, and this framework is based on the Government’s six-point strategy, of which independence (political control) is number one.

President Ishmael Toroama made this statement on Tuesday, June 1^st, when addressing the Budget Consultation Workshop in Arawa, led by the ABG Department of Treasury and Finance.

He said the Bougainville Executive Council had passed the budget framework in April this year, and this framework is based on the Government’s six-point strategy, of which independence (political control) is number one.

An emotional President Toroama said this when paying his respects at Sir Michael’s haus krai. 

President Toroama led the Bougainville community to represent the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Toroama honoured Sir Michael as the nation’s founding father.

“You are truly the seed of this nation. A seed that stood and embraced democracy for this nation. A seed that truly believed that peace and freedom is what this nation should achieve. I salute you, on behalf of my people, I salute you with great honour and respect. May your soul rest in peace,” said Toroama. 

The announcement follows a successful meeting between the leaders in Port Moresby over the weekend.

Key issues that will be brought forth to this JSB meeting include post-referendum matters which cover the progress of establishing the Permanent Secretariat to support the Joint Government Consultations, the appointment of a moderator and the Ratification agenda.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Department of Community Development in partnership with the Bougainville Disabled Persons Organisation (BDPO) recently held consultations with people living with disabilities on the policy.

The consultation provided insight on key issues, barriers and enabling factors that affect people living with disabilities such as poor access to services, and captured their aspirations for this policy.

The consultations and technical development of the policy was supported by the Australian and New Zealand governments.

On a low key note, the landing in Arawa was witnessed by PNG DataCo Limited representatives and Arawa Town Mayor Augustine Barkson and Deputy Mayor Genevieve Korokoro. Both Mr Barkson and Ms Korokoro have been instrumental in the AROB part of the project. They say there is a sense of interest shown by the public towards the arrival of the cable and its benefits.

“We are fortunate to have this infrastructure and we will continue to educate our people about the opportunities the infrastructure will bring,” Ms Korokoro said.