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Bougainville

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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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