Autonomous Bougainville Government

Increasing Access to Electricity

By Inside PNG 21/03/2024

Residents in Arawa town should start enjoying a more reliable access to electricity supply with the completion of renewable energy upgrades come 2025.

This includes the Autonomous Region of Bougainville’s first commercial-scale solar farm with battery storage.

These upgrades are part of a broader suite of the Australian support for provincial power stations across Papua New Guninea and include plans to upgrade Buka’s power station.

To mark the project’s half-way point, Australian High Commissioner To PNG, John Feakes, was taken on a tour by Autonomous Bougainville Government President, Ishmael Toroama to the power station

Feakes said Australia is committed to improving access to energy in Bougainville and is supporting the ABG’s economic development and energy goals.

“The solar panels installed are already providing power to Arawa. Once fully completed in 2025, this project will further improve power supply for local businesses and enhance many facets of people’s lives, including health and education, and increasing safety and security, especially for women and girls,” said Feakes.

The PGK18.8 million renewable energy upgrades in Arawa are being implemented in two stages.

The first stage is a small solar plant at PNG Power Limited’s (PPL) existing power station that, as of March this year, has begun supplying power in Arawa.

The second stage will deliver a larger solar farm with a battery energy storage system at a new site that PPL acquired in 2023 with assistance from the ABG.

Once completed, the upgrades will decrease running costs for PPL by reducing reliance on expensive diesel fuel and will cut carbon emissions by 1,800 tonnes of CO2e in the first year alone, allowing PPL to supply more reliable power to the people of Arawa.

“Australia looks forward to jointly launching the completed project with the Government of PNG and the ABG in March 2025,” Feakes said.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/new-community-hall-ioro-panguna-district/

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Bougainville

ABG Won’t Accept ACP Wagambie Appointment

By Inside PNG 07/03/2024

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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Autonomous Bougainville Government

ABG Cabinet Reshuffle

By Inside PNG 19/09/2023

A cabinet reshuffle in the Bougainville Government is aimed at redirecting development focus for Finance and Mining ministries.

The new changes include Robin Wilson, member for Terra constituency, assuming the role as Minister for Finance and Treasury in the Bougainville Executive Government.

A role previously held by outgoing minster, Mathias Salas who had delivered three budgets for the Autonomous Government and oversight the permanent appointment of Department Secretary, Johnny Auna.

In assuming the role, President Toroama charged Minister Wilson with reforming administrative functions within the department and expanding its responsibilities to include financial analysis, tax management, risk management, and investment management, as some of the immediate tasks.

“Minister Wilson, your first task in getting the Ministry and Department in order is to take control of the administrative functions of department. You will have the full support of the Presidency and the Bougainville Executive Council to introduce the changes that will ensure the department functions efficiently and in accordance with the vision of my government,” Toroama said .

President Toroama also emphasized the urgent need to revitalize the Bougainville Tax Office, pushing for a policy change to keep tax collections within Bougainville rather than remitting them to the Internal Revenue Commission in Port Moresby.

Another change in the cabinet reshuffle would be President Toroama assuming the portfolio of the Minister for the Department of Mineral Energy Resources, previously held by Minister Wilson.

Toroama stressed that changes in cabinet are driven by the need to institute outcomes consistent with his government’s development and independence policies.

“These changes are vital to ensure consistency in my vision for Bougainville’s development and our independence readiness mission,” said Toroama.

Taking on the role as Minister for Mineral Energy Resources, President Toroama outlined his priorities, which include redeveloping the extractive industry and expanding the energy sector.

Toroama highlighted the establishment of the Bougainville Energy Office and the potential for renewable energy sources such as hydro and wind energy.

“It is time we look at alternative sources of renewable and clean energy to address the perennial energy crisis that we are facing today. We have the potential for hydro and wind energy generation. I will be looking at the possibility of reviving the hydro stations at Togarau and Ramazon and getting them online as soon as possible,” he said.

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Autonomous Bougainville Government

Project Visits

By Inside PNG 14/09/2023

Evaluation and Monitoring officers from the Autonomous Bougainville Government have been visiting development projects in the region to ensure smooth delivering of Bougainville projects.

Acting Deputy Chief Secretary for Strategic Planning and Policy, Stephanie Elizah, said such visits are important to see how resourced are effectively channelled towards the sustainable development projects.

“The primary objective of these monitoring visits is to conduct comprehensive assessments of all Bougainville Development Projects at the district level, closely examining their progress and ensuring strict adherence to established guidelines,” she Elizah.

These visits coordinated through the ABG’s Office of the Chief Secretary is desired to maintain
transparency, accountability, and the efficient use of resources in the pursuit of Bougainville’s development objectives.

The team had visited 21 project sites including building and construction sites and economic development projects in several districts. The monitoring visits are part of the ABG’s annual performance review and reporting process.

This initiative is incorporated in the Bougainville Integrated Strategic Development Plan 2023-2027, which was launched recently in Awara.

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Bougainville Patriotism Day

By Inside PNG 31/08/2023

An evening service will kick off celebrations in Arawa town this afternoon, to commemorate the Bougainville Independence Patriotism Day.

Bougainville’s Minister for Independence Mission Implementation, Ezekiel Massat said 48 years ago on 1st September 1975, the Bougainville Flag was raised for the first time under the Unilateral Declaration for Independence.

“This was 15 days before PNG got it’s Independence, so 1st of September is significant,” said Minister Massat.

Ezekiel Massat (Credit: Autonomous Bougainville Government Official Facebook Page)

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has gazetted the 1st of September as the Bougainville Independence Patriotism Day and will be a public holiday for Bougainville.

“Historically, this day signifies the great oneness and unity that Bougainvilleans showed over forty years ago, for self-determination and this day must be celebrated in honor of our unity for our political aspiration,” said Masatt.

The ABG will be hosting a celebration at the Independence Oval in Arawa Town tomorrow (Friday 1st September 2023).

But an evening dedication service will be held this afternoon.

Constituency Members and their Community Governments will also celebrate the Bougainville Independence Patriotism Day in their respective constituencies across the Island Region.

Meanwhile Bougainvilleans have just observed 22nd anniversary of the Bougainville Peace Agreement yesterday (Wednesday 30th of September). It has been 22 years since the signing of the Peace Agreement in September 2001.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/orders-for-repatriation/

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North Bougainville By-Elections

By Inside PNG 27/08/2023

At least four women are amongst male candidates contesting for the North Bougainville Seat in the By-election.

However Autonomous Bougainville Government President, Ismael Toroama said candidates in the by-elections should not use the Region’s aspirations for political independence as a campaign platform to muster votes.

“Every Bougainville leader in the ABG and the National Government must remember that our independence aspirations is sacred in the sense that we lost twenty thousand fighting an unjust war to secure our freedom and having 97 percent of our people expressing their desire for independence during the 2019 Referendum,” said Toroama.

North Bougainville Open is one of three electorates going into by-elections this year.

The former member, Late William Nakin who was supposed to have served his second term under the National Alliance Party, as North Bougainville MP died last July from a short illness.

As the campaign period is underway, President Toroama said Bougainvillians
must not be misled by candidates who claim to represent their aspirations for political independence.

“I want to encourage the candidates contesting the North Bougainville By-elections who have their hearts in the right place, to honor the sacrifice of our people and our desire for independence by truly representing the felts needs and aspirations of our people when they are elected into office,” President Toroama said.

North Bougainville has been without a representative at the National Parliament for more than a year and the Issuing of Writs this July kicks off the race to finding a new Leader.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/orders-for-repatriation/

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COMMUNICATION SUPPORT

By Inside PNG 21/08/2023

Satellite phones will be used to improve communications between Buka and communities impacted by Mt. Bagana eruption, strong winds and rain.

Five satellite phones from National Information Communication and Telecommunication Authority or NICTA were given to the Disaster Office in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville as part of continued disaster relief exercise.

Chairman of NICTA Board, Noel Mobiha said this is the first time NICTA has come on board to support government department’s response to disaster.

South Bougainville MP who heads the Information Communication and Technology portfolio, Timothy Masiu said the satellite phones were given by NICTA with support of International Telecommunications Unit (ITU).

Communication Support by NICTA and Starlink

Masiu said the Star Link satellite services will also be deployed pending regulatory processes by NICTA and Digicel PNG will also support by strengthening network coverage at Torokina and South Bougainville

The loaned service will be used for three months on Bougainville and the satellite phones will be returned to NICTA for other emergency response in other parts of the country.

“NICTA is looking at improving communications infrastructure and services to support the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (RVO) for real time data transmission,” said Masiu.

A team from RVOC was also in Buka last week to assist. The observatory has deployed monitoring devices but need strong communications network for real time relay of information to the RVO Base in Rabaul.

SOE Controller, Esther Usurup thanked NICTA and Mr Masiu for the communication equipment and services that will come as this was urgently needed .

Masiu also announced that a K100,000 funding from his electorate will be given to support the Disaster office specifically for the Emergency Team to continue relief assistance to South Bougainville.

For more stories on the Mt Bagana disaster relief efforts click the links below for our other stories.

Related: SOE Extended

https://insidepng.com/soe-extended/

Bagana Assistance

https://insidepng.com/bagana-assistance/

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SOE Extended

By Inside PNG 17/08/2023

The Bougainville House of Representatives has voted unanimously to extend the State of Emergency (SOE) on the island region for two more months.

President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Ishmael Toroama presented an comprehensive report on the SOE in the parliament and recommended for an extension in a special session that convened today.

Toroama said a team from the Rabaul Volcanic Observatory Center arrived in Buka to establish a seismic monitoring system at Piva Station at Torokina.

The arrival of the RVOC team comes following an Australian Government initiative to install the monitoring instruments.

“I take this time to thank the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and USA for their generous support. On an international front of our political independence journey, we are open to humanitarian assistance through such strategic alliance,” said Toroama.

The initial SOE was declared on 16 July 2023, following the eruption of Mt. Bagana in Wakunai and Torokina Districts.

Regional Member for Bougainville, Peter Tsimalili Jnr told Inside PNG, continuous rain on the island has made it a little more difficult for effective humanitarian response.

“We now have been hit by torrential rains so the whole of South Bougainville does not have access to Arawa or Buka for store food. So now they are reaching out again for operation on the ground to provide support to South Bougainville, said Tsimalili Jnr.

Key action plays outlined by SOE Controller, Esther Usurup and was presented in Parliament by President Toroama include;

Establishing a central operations hub at the Buka District headquarters, led by Emergency Controller Esther Usurup-Harou, Deputy Chief Secretary, Operations.
Setting up evacuation centers at Piva Station and Wakunai district areas, equipped with essential relief supplies such as food, water, medication, tents, and basic necessities.
Temporarily suspending classes from 03 August to 17 August 2023 in impacted areas of Torokina and Wakunai District, following the guidance of the Bougainville Education Board and the Education In Emergency Committee.
Collaborating with the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (RVO), a subsidiary of the National Department of Mineral and Geohazards, to establish a seismic monitoring system at Piva Station in Torokina District.
Finalizing the Bougainville Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan, which outlines strategies for resource allocation and community response to natural and human-induced disasters

With the extension of SOE, two more evacuation centers were declared in Kopani Ward in Panguna District, and Soroken in Kunua District.

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