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Bougainville

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Bougainville

ABG Won’t Accept ACP Wagambie Appointment

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ABG on Wagambie Appointment

Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama said the appointment of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Anthony Wagambie Jnr as Deputy Chief of Police in the Bougainville Police Service is not recognized by the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

Toroama’s comments follow a change of command directive issued by police commissioner, David Manning.

“This appointment will not be recognized by the Autonomous Bougainville Government as it is unconstitutional and breaches the Bougainville Peace Agreement,” Toroama said in a statement.

Wagambie was transferred to Port Moresby from Lae and served as the NCD and Central Divisional Commander until his suspension in January over the riots in Port Moresby.

Under Section 26 of the Organic Law on Peace Building on Bougainville and Section 237 of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, “The appointment of the hierarchical officers in the Bougainville Police Service by the Commissioner of Police is to be based on the direct nomination of a suitable candidate by the ABG through the Bougainville Executive Council”

Toroama said the National Government through the Commissioner of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary had ignored his government in this decision

” We were never consulted nor privy to the process of appointing the Deputy Chief of the Bougainville Police Service,” Toroama sai.

He commented further that PNG’s disciplinary forces are barred by the Peace Agreement from instituting any decisions, be it administrative or tactical on Bougainville without the knowledge and input of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

“I am dissatisfied with the manner in which the National Government of Papua New Guinea has yet again usurped the role of the Autonomous Bougainville Government in implementing the parameters of the Bougainville Peace Agreement,”Toroama said in a statement.

The joint creation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement by the National Government and the people of Bougainville legally requires the joint implementation of its provisions.

‘I want to be clear to the National Government that Mr. Wagambie’s appointment to the Bougainville Police Service by RPNGC Commissioner David Manning is neither welcomed nor recognized by the Autonomous Bougainville Government,”Toroama said.

The Bougainville Peace Agreement does not exist merely to protect the civil liberties of the people of Bougainville and resolve the Bougainville Conflict. The peace agreement is also intended to empower the autonomous arrangements for Bougainville that came into existence as a direct result of the agreement in 2001.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has given too much quarter to the National Government in usurping the legal process in the administration of Bougainville’s autonomous arrangements and the Post Bougainville Referendum consultations.

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Bougainville

Conservation Showcase

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PWMA

Conservation areas within Pirung Wildlife Management Areas in the Bougainville Region was presented through a documentary film in Port Moresby.

Following this, the PWMA documentary will be made accessible to the local communities who host the PWMA through a community viewing program starting on 23 October to 1 November 2023.

Pirung Wildlife Management Area (PWMA) is the only gazetted Protected Area in Bougainville.
Located on the South-Eastern part of Bougainville island, it stretches over 60km in length and 10km in width. Making it one of the largest Protected Marine Area in the country.

The documentary is presented by ABG Directorate for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change. Under the Department of Lands and Physical Planning showcases the cultural and biodiversity conservation efforts practiced in the Protected Area.

In watching the documentary, the ABG believes it will enhance people’s understanding. Empowering the communities to protect their marine environment.

Lynette Baratai-Pokas, is the ABG Secretary for Lands, Physical Planning and Environment and Conservation & Climate Change. Her environment officers will be presenting the documentary to the communities.
The planned documentary viewing in Bougainville is scheduled as;

  1. 24th October 2023 – Tarara
  2. 25th October 2023 – Rorovana 1
  3. 26th October 2023 – Rorovana 2
  4. 27th October 2023 – Arawa Village
  5. 28th October 2023 – Kobuang
  6. 29th October 2023 – Pidia
  7. 30th October 2023 – Pokpok Main Village
  8. 31st October 2023 – Uruna Bay.

Related: https://insidepng.com/research-and-conservation-of-pngs-biodiversity/

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Bougainville

Coastal Waters Survey

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Coastal Waters Survey

A workshop providing insight into awareness and capacity in modern geospatial and survey techniques has concluding in Buka.

Held ahead of the Bougainville Coastal Waters Survey which is secluded to take place later this month, the awareness is considered critical to equip officers with the necessary technical skills and knowledge as they prepare for the field survey.

The Program is set to map out areas that constitute as ‘Bougainville waters’, as part of the drawdown of fisheries powers and functions to the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

ABG President, Ishmael Toroama launched the Survey today in Buka, making Bougainville the first maritime region in Papua New Guinea to undergo this coastal mapping process.

“Today, we embark on a journey that will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Bougainville. This Survey will contribute to our preparation for political independence as it will mark the benchmarks for Bougainville’s coastal waters,” Toroama said.

For the Autonomous Region, the completion of the Bougainville Coastal Waters Survey will signify the start of formalizing Bougainville’s maritime boundaries under guidance of the international framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

It will further advance the geospatial and survey capabilities of the region, ultimately contributing to the responsible management of coastal waters and maritime resources in Bougainville

The Bougainville Coastal Waters Survey Geospatial Workshop was facilitated through the ABG Department of Primary Industries & Marine Resources, the National Fisheries Authority, the National Department of Justice and Attorney General, the National Maritime Safety Authority and the Geoscience Energy & Maritime (GEM) Division of Pacific Community (SPC).

Toroama said the delimitation of sea boundaries is more than just drawing lines on a map; it is about defining the territorial sovereignty and the rights of the people of Bougainville.

“It is about ensuring that Bougainville’s voice is heard and respected on the global stage as we move closer to realizing their aspirations,” said Toroama.

The mapping of Bougainville’s coastal waters will enhance maritime services, regulate shipping services, reap economic benefits from infrastructure and marine resource development, as well as enable Bougainville to possess reference coordinates that determines its baseline, internal waters and coastal waters.

ABG technical officers from the ABG Departments of Primary Industries, Lands, Commerce, Mineral and Energy Resources and other supporting departments in the Bougainville Public Service, also completed a week-long workshop learning about using modern geospatial techniques to be applied during the field survey.

Beginning on 16 to 28 October 2023, four survey teams will be deployed to identified coastal communities across North, Central and South Bougainville to undergo the field survey of the coastal mapping.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/key-bougainville-plans/

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Bougainville

Infrastructure Agreement

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Bougainville Infrastructure

The signing of an Infrastructure Agreement by Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama provides a framework to improve deteriorating infrastructures in the Autonomous Region.

The agreement signed during the Pacific Infrastructure Conference is worth an estimated value of USD$4.8 billion (PGK17.5 billion) and involves infrastructural works on government buildings, schools, hospitals, airport, sea ports, bridges, roads and telecommunications.

Toroama said the Infrastructure Agreement represents a momentous step for the ABG, towards building a prosperous future, through substantial advancements in critical infrastructure development.

“The first ABG was elected on 15 June 2005. In the 18 years since then there has been frustratingly slow progress in the delivery of critical Bougainville infrastructure,” Toroama said.

The Infrastructure Agreement is between the ABG and the following Companies:

  • Bougainville Public Private Partnership Limited (BPPPL) is appointed as the Program Manager responsible for fundraising and project delivery of Bougainville Infrastructure Development Plan.
  • Kramer Ausenco (PNG) Limited is appointed as the Project Manager responsible for project design documentation, project management and facilities management of infrastructures under Bougainville Infrastructure Development Plan.
  • Bougainville Islands Group Limited (BIGL) has agreed in principle to provide land to the BPPPL partnership as part of the infrastructure agreement.

President Toroama assured the founder of Kramer Ausenco (PNG) Limited, Frank Kramer, that his Government will collaborate closely under this new Infrastructure Agreement, with the shared goal of delivering urgently needed infrastructure for the people of Bougainville.

“ABG will be working together in partnership with Kramer Ausenco and BIGL to deliver transformative benefits for the people of Bougainville and agree to work closely together to achieve this,” Toroama said.

The Pacific Infrastructure Conference brings together political, business representatives from Pacific Islands, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Japan, France, and various international partners, including the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and United Nations Development Programme, making it the most inclusive event of its kind in the Pacific’s history.

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Bougainville

2023 Siwai Cultural Show

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Siwai Cultural Show

Hundreds of people in South Bougainville gathered at Panakei to participate in the 2023 Siwai Cultural Show.

The show hosted annually is a unique way of showcasing the traditional heritage of the Siwai people and provides an economic spin off for the locals.

Siwai Cultural Show

Chairman of the Siwai Tourism Association, Peter Siunai, said next year it will be called the South Bougainville Show and will include sing-sing groups from Bana, Buin, Torokina and Wisai areas.

“Siwai is very special and the reason being that we have gone through all sorts of problems from bad weather due to continuous rains in the last four months causing bad roads, flooding and shortage of food. However, today is very special for us because for the first time, we have a dry day with the sun shining and your presence here to celebrate with us is a blessing,” said Siunai.

South Bougainville MP, Timothy Masiu who also wore the hat of Patron of Siwai Cultural Show said despite the Siwai cultural show delayed due to bad weather, people worked together to maintain and celebrate their culture.

Siwai Cultural Show

“Your culture and traditions is very unique and I challenge you all to maintain it and use such events to showcase your culture. Because you are the image of Bougainville that reflects our relationship and identity through culture,” said Masiu.

This is the fourth show since it began in 2019. With the aim of showcasing the diverse culture and traditions of Siwai people of South Bougainville.

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Bougainville

Bougainville Women Selected for Mobility Program

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Bougainville Women

Ten women selected from four regions in Bougainville will travel to Australia as first participants under the Bougainville Government’s Labor Mobility Program.

Samantha Makasu is one of participants and said to do her best during the nine months course of the program.

“We want to assure you all and our families that we will do our best, learn as much as we can and return to assist our families, communities and Bougainville as a whole,” said Samantha.

ABG Department of Commerce, Trade and Economic Secretary, Alex Kerangpuna urged the ten participants to be ambassadors of Bougainville and make good use of the opportunity.

“Congratulations on being the pioneers of this program. Participation in this program is a milestone for your, families, community, people of Bougainville and also for the government,” Kerangpuna said.

The Labor Mobility Program is aimed at empowering young Bougainvilleans by offering them work opportunities in Australia’s agriculture sector.

It is a partnership between the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and Australia.

First Secretary to the Australian High Commission in Bougainville Dr. Fiona Crockford said it was an honor for Australia to partner with the ABG to start this as a pilot program in Bougainville.

“The labor mobility program is essential to the Australian Government’s commitment to build a stronger Pacific family, it aims to strengthen links between people, businesses and communities, fostering deep connections between Australia and Papua New Guinea,” said Dr. Fiona.

Kerangpuna explained that although PNG had it its own labor mobility program, having such a program exclusively for Bougainville is a great achievement as it will also strengthen ties and opportunities for Bougainvilleans.

Dr. Crockford said the program provides the economic pathway for participants to develop skills, earn good income and support their families back home, adding that the recipients will not only invest their savings in their families and communities but also contribute to the local economy by starting new businesses.

The ten female recipients were selected from North, Central, South Bougainville and Nissan and the Atolls.

Related: https://insidepng.com/key-bougainville-plans/

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