Feb 4 2015

Bougainville Media News : Media will play important role in Bougainville referendum

“With the Referendum coming up there is a need for more awareness to be made so that the people of Bougainville are made aware of the work of the ABG and how they can contribute to the preparation of the region for Referendum

ABG Minister for Community Development, MELCHIOR DARE

By Aloysius Laukai

The new Bougainville Chief Secretary, MONOVI AMANI says that the media must report facts and figures precisely and not to change the story.

He made these remarks at the special meet the press dinner hosted by the ABG’s Division of Media and Communications last night.

About 40 people attended, they included 2 from New Dawn FM/ bougainvillenews.com,6 from Radio Bougainville 10 from Media and Communications, Bougainville Bulletin Post Courier rep, Catholic Church Media, Tinputz FM AUSAID rep and several others including Secretaries from the ABG Departments.

Picture Above: Robert Anisia Director for Communications, Chief Secretary Monovi Amani and Minister for Community Development MELCHIOR DARE at the media meeting tonight.

AMANI in his speech said that in Business you don’t expose all your work to the media as your competitors could use your work for their own benefit or to kill your business.

But in government, all the activities must be made available to the media so that the people know and become partakers in the development initiatives.

He said as media personnel they however must report facts and not twist issues to create problems for the government. AMANI said that his office will be utilising media to disseminate vital information to the people of Bougainville and the World.

DARE PRAISES BOUGAINVILLE MEDIA

The ABG Minister for Community Development, MELCHIOR DARE last night thanked the Bougainville media for supporting the government in disseminating vital information to the masses.

He made these remarks at the meet the Press dinner organized by the ABG Division of Media and Communications at the Hutjena Secondary School hall last night.

This is the first time for the Media and Communications division to organize and meet with all forms of media be it Electronic or Print operating on Bougainville.

The Minister said that with the Referendum coming up there is a need for more awareness to be made so that the people of Bougainville are made aware of the work of the ABG and how they can contribute to the preparation of the region for Referendum.

The Minister represented the ABG President, Chief DR. JOHN MOMIS who is also the Communications Minister at the dinner last night.

Feb 3 2015

Bougainville Government must be transparent in all areas of development says Kauona

On behalf of the ex combatants in Bougainville, Sam Kauona, amplified that the Autonomous Bougainville Government must be transparent in all areas of development. He raised the issue of transparency, because, he claimed that many people did not have knowledge about the current developments brought into the region by the government

Third part of the forum held between the ABG led by President Chief Dr John Momis and the ex combatants
By Tanya Lahies :Picture caption: Sam Kauona and Monovi Amani poses for a picture after the forum On behalf of the ex combatants in Bougainville, Sam Kauona, amplified that the Autonomous Bougainville Government must be transparent in all areas of development.

He raised the issue of transparency, because, he claimed that many people did not have knowledge about the current developments brought into the region by the government.

Kauona urged that weapons disposal was their area of responsibility and autonomy was the governments, but added that the government was still not delivering much needed services or programs it could have delivered.

Kauona claimed that, the money spent by the government to the development of Bougainville is not visible.

Kauona questioned whether the government monitored how the budget was spent on goods and services and he urged for more checks and balance on the budget itself especially on how the money was used.

Other concerns raised were on the delaying of the mining act and why there were foreign advisors involved. He questioned why, an advisor who had links with Rio Tinto was involved in the Mining Act and why there was no input from landowners and Chief of Elders (CoE)?

Kauona also wants to see honesty from public servants who are paid to do their jobs and not just occupying offices. He asked for a proper explanation about Torokina Oil Palm Project because at the moment, he sees that there was no sign of work taking place.

Vice President Patrick Nisira responded to the questions of Sam Kauona that the mining act did involve the landowners.

He urged that the Torokina Oil Palm Project had completed the phase one of the project, which was social mapping.

Phase two of the project is now progressing and a business development plan is being developed and once completed, investors will be invited to bid to work on the plantation, he said.

Hon Nisira urged that there needed to be an understanding about the shareholder agreement of the Bougainville POGE Development Corporation.

He said that the shareholder is based on a trustee agreement, meaning, the holder of the shares, do not own the account, but, that the money in the account, belongs to the people of Bougainville.

In his response to questions about why ABG did not build bridges, he reaffirmed that the construction of bridges is the responsibility of the National Government.

He also reassured that referendum is not deferred and that no government is delaying the process. He reminded the people the date to hold referendum is the decision of the government to make and decide on.

Other concerns highlighted by Hon Nisira were the Weapons Disposal and how weapons were still used to threaten democracy of the people. He also assured the people that the mining act was not delayed but following processes.

Hon Nisira also disputed the questions of the people who opposed bringing foreign advisors to the region. He said that any government couldn’t operate alone and become isolated from advisors abroad. That is inevitable.

“Maybe it is our fault – that we as the government, ex combatants and churches have decided that there should not be an opposition in the government… maybe we should re visit that option and make changes where necessary,” Hon Nisira said.

Ends

Tomorrow we bring to you the wrap up of the forum.

Feb 2 2015

Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) has become the focus of leaders in the government ,veterans and ex combatants.

As this year becomes a very critical year for Bougainville with elections around the corner in April and the expected referendum to be conducted this year, the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) has become the focus of leaders in the government and veterans or ex combatants.

The BPA, which was signed in 2001, has three specific areas highlighted on Autonomy; Referendum and Weapons Disposal. It also emphasizes on ‘Good Governance.’

Second part of the forum- Held on Friday 30th January 2015
words and picture by Tanya Lahies

The President of ABG Chief Dr John Momis defended that his government is a good government, better than the previous government and that a lot was achieved under his leadership.

Photo caption: Ex combatant leader Ishmael Toroama addresses the crowd at the forum on Friday, at Bel Isi park

He responded to the group of ex combatants led by leaders Ishmael Toroama with Thomas Tari and Sam Kauona, who confronted the ABG with questions on whether ABG was inline with good governance.

This occurred in the first ever forum conducted between the President Chief Dr John Momis and the ex combatants leaders at a ground level.

In the past, many issues were dealt with through the media to channel their views. The forum was an opportunity for leaders to speak openly and frankly on issues dated back to last year.

The two main criteria which leaders have emphasized mainly in the forum were on weapons disposal and good governance.

The ex combatants agree that the Autonomous Bougainville Government still needed to be transparent, which got the response of the President Momis, that his government is not corrupt and that all activities with development partners were based on transparency and for the interest of the people.

The ABG led by President Chief Dr John Momis, agreed that there was a lot to be done with weapons disposal and questioned whether the veterans will do anything about the issue as at the moment people are still using weapons to threaten democracy.

Tomorrow we look at ex combatant Sam Kauona’s statement and Vice President Patrick Nisira’s response.

Feb 1 2015

Bougainville News : Will the next 15 years see a major breakthrough for most people in poor countries

They will have unprecedented opportunities to get an education, eat nutritious food, and benefit from mobile banking. These breakthroughs will be driven by innovation in technology — ranging from new vaccines and hardier crops to much cheaper smartphones and tablets — and by innovations that help deliver those things to more people.

Millions of people will have access to online education

The lives of people in poor countries will improve faster in the next 15 years than at any other time in history. And their lives will improve more than anyone else’s

Bill and Melinda Gates 2015 Letter

We see an opportunity and we want to make the most of it.

We’re putting our credibility, time, and money behind this bet — and asking others to join us — because we think there has never been a better time to accelerate progress and have a big impact around the world.

Some will say we’re irrational to make this bet too. A skeptic would look at the world’s problems and conclude that things are only getting worse. And we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that a handful of the worst-off countries will continue to struggle.

Picture Above :When we travel, we meet with people to learn what they need to live a healthy, productive life. Mapinga, Tanzania, 2011

Watch video here

But we think the next 15 years will see major breakthroughs for most people in poor countries. They will be living longer and in better health. They will have unprecedented opportunities to get an education, eat nutritious food, and benefit from mobile banking. These breakthroughs will be driven by innovation in technology — ranging from new vaccines and hardier crops to much cheaper smartphones and tablets — and by innovations that help deliver those things to more people.The rich world will keep getting exciting new advances too, but the improvements in the lives of the poor will be far more fundamental — the basics of a healthy, productive life. It’s great that more people in rich countries will be able to watch movies on super hi-resolution screens. It’s even better that more parents in poor countries will know their children aren’t going to die.It is fair to ask whether the progress we’re predicting will be stifled by climate change. The most dramatic problems caused by climate change are more than 15 years away, but the long-term threat is so serious that the world needs to move much more aggressively — right now — to develop energy sources that are cheaper, can deliver on demand, and emit zero carbon dioxide. The next 15 years are a pivotal time when these energy sources need to be developed so they’ll be ready to deploy before the effects of climate change become severe. Bill is investing time in this work personally (not through our foundation) and will continue to speak out about it.

We’re excited to see how much better the world will be in 15 years.

Here are some of the breakthroughs in Education we see coming.

Arizona who are getting their college degrees through online schools.

One of them, Shawn Lee, is a former construction worker who went back to college so he could build a better life for his young son. Shawn told Bill how he had struggled in a traditional school — and how learning online made it much easier to balance school and work.

Yet if we went to a poor country and asked a street vendor about taking online classes, she would just laugh. The idea would seem ridiculous.

It shouldn’t. And one day, it won’t.

Our foundation gives more money to education than to any other cause in the United States because it’s the best lever we’ve seen for giving every child in America a chance to make the most of their lives. Some of the work we fund is focused solely on U.S. students and teachers. But a core piece of it — online courses — will be a global asset, available to anyone with a smartphone or tablet.

As high-speed cell networks grow and smartphones become as cheap as today’s voice-only phones, online education will flourish. For people in rich countries, it will be an important step forward. For the rest of the world, especially in places where growth is creating demand for educated workers, it will be a revolution.

Think back 15 years, to when online education was first gaining traction. It amounted to little more than pointing a camera at a university lecturer and hitting the “record” button. Students couldn’t take online quizzes or connect with each other. It wasn’t interactive at all.

Bougainville education could do with your help Mr Gates

Feb 1 2015

Bougainville Political News : Ex Combatants confront Momis and Amani over many issues

President Momis also defended that the current government has practiced good governance under his leadership and has done more than the previous government. One of the achievements of the government was the change of public service act.

President Chief Dr John Momis questioned the ex combatants, how many weapons have already been disposed and why people were still using weapons?

A summary of the Forum-a discussion between the ABG President Chief Dr John Momis and the ex combatant

By Bureau of Media and Communications- Public relations

Photo Caption: New Chief Secretary Monovi Amani greets a leader of ex combatant Ishmael Toroama after the forum. The forum ended with a shaking of hands between the ABG Ministers, senior public servants and the leaders of the ex combatants as seen in this picture by Tanya Lahies.

First part of the forum

ABG President Chief Dr John Momis responds to questions from the Ex Combatants (see details below )

On Friday, 30th of January 2015, a group of ex combatants from the South and Central Region, confronted the Autonomous Bougainville Government President Chief Dr John Momis with questions on issues, that received a lot of attention on the Social Media last year and early this year.

The confrontation was an attempt to get answers, by the ex combatants to the ABG Government. Prior to the forum, a petition was presented to the President asking him to resign based on the grievances’ raised and that he should do so if the accusations or questions were not properly answered.

The forum was to get clarifications about information of the latest development brought in by the current government.

Leaders of the ex combatants Ishmael Toroama with Thomas Tari and Sam Kauona presented their grievances based on what they saw as outstanding issues which was not properly aired out.

The issues raised were on;

• Bougainville POGE Development Corporation
• Torokina Oil Palm PROJECT a failed project
• MV Chebu shares arrangement
• Referendum deferred
• Good governance

Ishmael firstly explained that it was unfortunate that such an outcome had lead to a public forum but the reason for their public appearance was to get answers from the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

He emphasized on the Bougainville Peace Agreement, how they have completed their part and how the government needs to complete theirs. He emphasized on good governance and questioned how well the government has shown leadership at the administrative and political level.

Ishmael also acknowledged the United Nations Development Program for the part they played in ensuring the weapons disposal process was completed.

Based on the Peace Agreement under good governance, Ishmael questioned:

• Why four members of the government owned shares in the Poge Investment?

• Bridges need to be built in the North West?? Who is responsible? Where is the money going?

Thomas Tari also a leader of the ex combatants presented his views about patriotism towards holding a referendum. He spoke on how the government has failed and that there were still outstanding issues and asked for the government to explain clearly so that they are at ease.

President Chief Dr John Momis responds:

In response to the accusations, President Momis said that:

• The MV Chebu was a joint share between ABG and Henry Chou the owner of HAKAU Investment. This means the ABG held a trustee share of which the share belongs to the people of Bougainville. He reassured that it wasn’t a personal share. BUT that the ABG looked after the money that legally belongs to the people of Bougainville.

• Bougainville POGE Development Corporation comes under the Bougainville Government and that four members hold a trustee share in the corporation and that- it didn’t mean any of the members have personal control or ownership of the share but the shares belong to the people of Bougainville.

• The Torokina Oil Palm project was implemented by the Kabui Government. Since the implementation of the project, there has been a lot of misuse of funds. During the current government, the project was advertised and three companies applied and Hakau Investment won the bid to develop the project to providing technical services and successfully completed the work. The project is not a failed project. It is an ongoing project.

• Referendum- the talk to defer referendum is not true. Referendum will happen when two Governments (ABG and PNG) sit down and look at all the criteria of the Bougainville Peace Agreement. Referendum will look at good governance and weapons disposal. President Momis urged that the people and Government have no power to defer referendum. By, 2020, the referendum should be held.

The president also clarified that the statement he made that a referendum will be held in 2019 was not a final decision but a thought based on how he sees the current preparation of the people and what the outcome may occur, looking at the political level nationally and internationally but he urged that it isn’t deferred.

He explained that if the people were ready to hold a referendum, it could be held this year, but then, the people must be ready to except the outcome.

He advised that the result of the referendum would be measured by the United Nations and the National Government using the Bougainville Peace Agreement as criteria.

President Chief Dr John Momis questioned the ex combatants, how many weapons have already been disposed and why people were still using weapons?

Momis questioned whether the petition for him to resign had criteria that could be used to judge him and be leveled against the developmental goals and achievements of his government.

President Momis reiterated that it was the people who gave him the mandate to become the president.

Note: The second part of the forum will be posted tomorrow evening.

Bougainville’s President Momis must explain widespread financial mismanagement

PNG Exposed

Bougainville’s President Momis has launched a scathing attack on villagers across Bougainville looking for economic alternatives to large-scale mining. Speaking on New Dawn he demanded they produce a coherent economic plan for turning ‘tomato sales’ into sustainable revenues.

The issue of economic accountability is an important one, here are five reasons President Momis should not be exempt.

1. The Torokina Oil Palm Project and Sir Henry Chow

President Momis must explain why during 2010/11 the Torokina oil palm project received ten million Kina in government grants, and what, if any benefits, the people of Bougainville have received for investing nearly the entire ABG agricultural development budget on one project? He must also explain any benefits which Sir Henry Chow received from these grants, through Hakau Investment Limited or any other company owned by Chow.

Given that the Torokina oil palm plantation was expected to bear fruit by 2014, can the President explain what has happened since 2011?

In March 2013 Islands Business reported that the ABG Public Accounts Committee would ‘inquire into the two joint ventures done by the ABG with the Hakau Investment on the Torokina Oil Palm Project, and the China Business Corporation’. Can the President report back on the findings of these investigations?

2. Employing Hedge Fund Traders as ‘Development’ Advisors

In 2012 President Momis employed public revenues to contract a hedge fund, Seagate Global, led by US expatriate, William Lawton, to become his ‘economic and development Advisor’. Seagate claims it was hired ‘to design and implement comprehensive community and economic development in Bougainville’. How much has the President spent on this contract? What tangible outcomes has this had for the people of Bougainville who have little interest in hedge funds? Why did the President choose a financial speculator to advise him on rural development?

In 2013 Seagate Global stated on their website ‘Seagate Global is the economic and Development Advisor to the President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, the location of the Panguna mine, one of the largest copper and gold mines in the world, and a country rich in numerous resources’. The page also states, ‘Seagate Global entered the mining business as one of the best ways to help people’. The first statement was subsequently removed from the company’s website! The President must explain whether Seagate Global has obtained any tangible interests in Bougainville’s natural resources through its relationship with the ABG?

3. Joint-Venture with Filipino Business Accused of Human Rights Abuses

Following visits to the Philippines President John Momis has engaged the ABG in a joint-venture with Filipino executives allegedly involved in land-grabbing, violence against landowners, illegal labour practices, and environment breaches (the full scandal was exposed here). How much money has the ABG spent on Bougainville POGE Development and its ventures with Filipino businessmen the subject of serious human rights allegations? How much has the ABG spent flying the President and his wife around the Philippines? During his extensive foreign travels has the President received any gifts from foreign companies?

4. The Panguna Mine Fiasco

Then there is the Panguna mine scandal. Before President Momis began expending significant sums of government revenues on mining – including on the Office of Panguna Mine Negotiations, an expanded Mining Division and extensive foreign advice – did he conduct an economic and social feasibility study to ensure this was money well spent?

After all, we know that the expert advice given to the ABG and the Australian government in 2008 was that reopening Panguna would be heavily resisted by landowning communities, and a potential spark for heightened tension. As a result they were advised ‘in the interim, a strategy for economic recovery through agricultural production appears the most viable among the possibilities’.

Did President Momis conduct any study that overturned these findings, and offered a strong evidence base suggesting that the significant government investment in reopening Panguna had a strong chance of bearing fruits?

And if he is to be transparent, President Momis should reveal how much has been spent on this ill-fated exercise to reopen Panguna, including money that has come from donor organisations such as the Australian government and World Bank.

5. The Public Housing Crisis

The President was also warned by auditors that public housing in Bougainville was being abused by some public servants who were not paying rent, while retired and retrenched staff were monopolising public properties. Given many public servants are forced to find housing on the inflated private market, has he done anything to rectify the abuse of public housing?

Jan 30 2015

Bougainville politics: Demands by the ex-combatants for President Chief Dr John Momis to resign

Demands by the ex-combatants for Autonomous Bougainville Government President Chief Dr John Momis to resign has been deemed as undemocratic. President Momis said that though the ex-combatants, led by former Bougainville Revolutionary Army commanders, Ishmael Toroama, Sam Kauona and Thomas Tari could voice their concerns on the government’s priorities on development, demanding his resignation without due cause cannot justify their demand.

Report by : Anthony Kaybing New Dawn

This ultimatum was issued through a letter to the President questioning his ability to act in the best interest of Bougainville while outlining certain ABG ventures that it deemed were an utter failure and that if answers provided by President as unsatisfactory would warrant his removal from the Presidency.

“The ABG has already explained the dealings questioned by the ex-combatants clearly and concisely so what is the criteria that warrants me to resign as President,” President Momis said.

“As the democratically elected leader of Bougainville what criteria justifies their demands for me to resign, without properly assessing the government’s development priorities before levelling accusations against me as head of the Autonomous Bougainville Government,” the President added.

President Momis declared that his government has done more in terms of development of infrastructure and policies in Bougainville than the last government.

He said though there were constraints within the Public Service and the ABG’s financial capacity the government had done all it can to strengthen Bougainville’s drive to reckoning its political destiny through and through.

The President’s sentiments are evident through the stability within the government and its development capacity during the last five years of the Momis Administration.

In the last 5 years of President Momis’ tenure as ABG President there has been an improvement in relations with the National Government with the President negotiating the K500 million Special Intervention Fund from the Somare Government, rescoping the ABG’s priorities on Mining and initiating important legislations.

With the ABG elections looming the President said if they really desired a change in the leadership in Bougainville then he encouraged them to partake in the elections where he said offers a level play ground for them all.
“The people will then decide on who they want as their leaders to lead Bougainville,” President Momis said

Jan 29 2015

Bougainville Health News: PNG researchers discover a treatment that completely cures one of the most common strains of malaria

Australian and Papua New Guinean researchers say they have discovered a treatment that completely cures one of the most common strains of malaria worldwide. This could be good news for Bougainville.

Malaria is one of the world’s most prevalent diseases, affecting about 200 million people.

There have been successes and failures trying to combat the disease, but now a group of Australian and Papua New Guinean researchers believe they have developed a treatment that can completely cure one of the most common strains.

WATCH VIDEO HERE

By combining two drugs, and giving it to patients over three days, the researchers found the treatment completely eliminated the vivax strain of malaria.

The trial was led by Papua New Guinean medical doctor Moses Laman as part of a PHD he has been undertaking.

The 36-year-old, who was raised in rural Papua New Guinea, knows intimately what it’s like to have malaria

“I’ve even been admitted to hospital as a child for malaria at least twice in rural PNG, and that’s tough,” he said.

The Papua New Guinean researcher said he was excited about what he and his colleagues discovered after two years of field tests in Papua New Guinea.

“It’s satisfying to not only see our work, but all the other malaria research, and the time and effort and planning that malaria has recently attracted globally,” he said.

“The incidence[s] of malaria globally, not just in Papua New Guinea, have been declining so as someone who has come from an endemic setting it’s satisfying to see.”

Although the number of cases may be falling, a child still dies of malaria every minute in Africa according to the World Health Organisation.

Dr Laman and his team trialled their treatment on 250 children over two years in PNG and found they could kill the vivax malaria parasite in the children.

Normally the parasite hides in the liver, re-emerging to attack the host again and again.

But this treatment breaks that cycle.

Vivax malaria is not usually lethal, but it can make a child anaemic and vulnerable to other diseases.

Dr Laman’s study was supervised by veteran malaria researcher Professor Tim Davis from the University of Western Australia’s school of medicine and pharmacology.

Professor Davis said vivax malaria was a devastating disease that affected many of the world’s developing countries.

“Malaria is a disease of poverty and contributes to poverty and it makes it difficult for young children to develop normally if they’re recurrently unwell with infections like malaria,” he said.

Jan 28 2015

Bougainville Development News: Will a “balanced” Bougainville budget mean balanced development

“In using the PNG Special Intervention Fund, the K100 million let us continue to give effect to provisions of the Bougainville constitution which talked about balanced development right throughout the region because it was unbalanced development that caused the Crisis in the first place,”

Outgoing acting chief secretary Chris Siriosi.

Picture above new chief secretary Monovi Amani who will make it happen

Story by: BY JENNIFER NKUI

The Bougainville public service has developed a new budgetary process while under the leadership of the outgoing acting chief secretary Chris Siriosi.

As revealed by the man himself during the official swearing-in ceremony of the new chief secretary Monovi Amani yesterday, Mr Siriosi explained that under his leadership as the acting chief secretary, there improvement of the relationships of all the stakeholders, including ABG’s development partners.

“This friendship or partnership is embodied in an arrangement called the District Planning and Budgeting Process that we have developed in Bougainville which I hope will be kept,” he said. “This new budgeting process involves getting all stakeholders, including our development partners to attend a forum twice a year during which all budgetary issues are discussed,” he added.

Mr Siriosi stressed that this is a very important process in governing Bougainville and it has to be kept and improved. “The other development is the Special Intervention Fund, the K100 million that the national government gives and we must continue to use it wisely,” he said.

And in using it, let us continue to give effect to provisions of the Bougainville constitution which talked about balanced development right throughout the region because it was unbalanced development that caused the Crisis in the first place,” he added. He then pointed out that there are still places in Bougainville that do not have any development at all and this is serious. –

For more INFO and details about the Bougainville Govt

The Bougainville Bulletin January issue for 2015 is avaliable on the Internet.

Download a pdf copy here by visiting link Bulletin_3rd Edition_Jan_2015_online.pdf – https://docs.google.com/…/0Bym5Bo_U5WIzVkdoY1U1ZlcxOHM/edit…

Jan 27 2015

Bougainville News: Integrating disaster risk management into development plans of Bougainville

These developmental interventions are likely to reshape the disaster risk in the region, as development is not risk neutral. Bougainville is prone to a number of hazards including earthquake, tsunami, king tide, floods, landslides and floods.

Bougainville is on verge of a major developmental shift as a number of policy, programs and projects on various aspects of development ranging from the opening of the airport in Arawa to the construction of the Office of the Disaster management of Bougainville and from the mining policy to the impact projects are on anvil.

UNDP in partnership with the Autonomous Bougainville Government conducted training on Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management into Development Planning and Implementation in Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The training targeted the development planning related officials and development partners. The overall objective was to enable the participants on ‘how to’ mainstream DRM concerns into the development processes and identify steps to operationalize it.

Two-day training was attended by representatives of the Technical Services Department, the Buka Urban Council, the Law and Justice Department, IOM, UN Women, Red Cross, Office of Disaster Management and Leitana, a local NGO. Mr. Sudhir Kumar, UNDP and Mr. Franklin Leslie, Disaster Management Coordinator of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville facilitated the training.

The training included concepts and approaches for mainstreaming DRM into development as well as case studies on mainstreaming from a number of countries. It helped the participants to appreciate the importance of Disaster risk management for Sustainable development and understand the know-how of mainstreaming DRM into development of Bougainville.

Ms. Helen Hakena mentioned that the training was very informative as well as interesting and she will do some radio programs to share the information. She will also try to include DRM considerations in developmental interventions of her organization. Ms. Agnes of UN Women shared the same view and she will include DRM in her future public role. The training also identified a number of support measures for mainstreaming DRM and Office of the Disaster Management of Bougainville assured to pursue the identified actions.

Citizens of Tinputz district in Bougainville are now better prepared for disasters

Tinputz district team, responsible for development of disaster-risk management plan

Tinputz, Bougainville, Provincial Government of Tinputz district and development partners finalized the first District Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Plan for the district.

This model Tinputz District DRM Plan has been jointly drafted by the district level agencies and development partners with technical assistance from Disaster Risk Management Office of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and UNDP.

The plan was developed through comprehensive and participatory process, involving all district agencies, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and faith-based organisations as well as community consultations.

Tinputz district is prone to a number of disasters, which includes flooding, tidal surge/king tide, earthquake, tsunami, landslide, drought and disease outbreak. Climate change is further aggravating the situation as future disasters are likely to be more intense. Unplanned development and increase in population are other two key factors for increase in the disaster risk.

The plan analyses various disasters the district is prone to and provides guidance to establish a coordination mechanism at the district level to effectively respond to disaster situations. The plan also outlines the disaster management roles and responsibilities of different departments at the district and includes clear instructions on how to set up early-warning systems for disasters.

This was the first attempt to develop the District level DRM Plan and it will serve as a model for other districts. “The DRM Plan is a highlight to Tinputz District because it’s a first of its kind and it gives further understanding on the different roles stakeholders in the district have to actually operationalize the Plan” noted Mr. Thomas Amos, the Paramount Chief Inus, Tinputz. He thanked UNDP and ECHO for supporting the initiative and cautioned that the operationalization of this Plan is key

The Executive Manager of Tinputz District congratulated all stakeholders involved in the process and thanked UNDP for the support. He mentioned the need to develop a strategic plan to operationalize the DRM Plan and expressed the support of UNDP in this important next step.

The initiative is part of a wider work of UNDP on building country’s capacity to withstand, adapt to, and recover from natural disasters.

Jan 26 2015

Bougainville News: New Head of Bougainville Public Service sworn in and faces challenges

The new chief secretary to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Monovi Amani (pictured centre) , was officially sworn in today as the head of the public service in Bougainville.

The swearing in ceremony which was held in the ABG administration conference room was attended and witnessed by the ABG president chief Dr. John Momis, his deputy Patrick Nisira, the outgoing acting chief secretary Chris Siriosi, ministers of the Bougainville House of Representatives, heads of departments and other distinguished guests.

BY JENNIFER NKUI

The outgoing acting chief secretary in his remarks congratulated Mr. Amani for taking up the challenge saying he will be available in the office to continue to assist the chief secretary in whatever way he could.

He said this will be required initially as Mr. Amani in initial stages will need every form of assistance that he can render to him.

He then advised the chief secretary that the best starting point will be to get briefings from head of departments and as he goes along, he will begin to develop an understanding of the system.

Mr. Siriosi said he is looking forward to a healthy working relationship with the new chief secretary and urged everyone, especially the heads of departments to do the same.

SIRIOSI LAYS OUT WEAKNESSES IN THE SYSTEM

The outgoing acting chief secretary Chris Siriosi laid out the weaknesses that are present in the Bougainville administration or public service system.

When giving his remarks at the official swearing in ceremony of the new chief secretary, Mr. Siriosi pointed out that there is weakness in internal revenue collection, management of finances is a weakness and a few other processes related to the management of the public service.

But he is of the firm belief that with the law in place, the public service can now look forward to overcoming those difficulties as the control is now with the ABG and the ABG systems and not with the National government systems.

Mr. Siriosi then stressed that if we fail to achieve our objectives and aims, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

However, the outgoing acting chief secretary is confident that we will still succeed despite the mentioned shortfalls.

When giving his response, the new chief secretary said he will take Mr. Siriosi up on his word to work with him closely.

Mr. Amani then stressed that it is an honour and privilege to be given the opportunity to serve the government of Bougainville under the leadership of chief Momis and the people of Bougainville.

He said he did not come with a magic wand but only with a heart full of eagerness to serve the Bougainville government and its people.

Background

Mr Amani, age 52 is from Mortlock Island. He was the former Provincial Administrator for New Ireland Province a position he held for the last two years. Prior to that he was CEO Planning and Finance in that Administration.

The new Chief Secretary has previously been a business and taxation consultant, a lecturer in finance and accounting, a senior officer in the National Housing Corporation and a tax assessor with IRC.

Mr Monovi Amani has degrees in Commerce, Accounting and Business Administration. He also has certificates and diplomas in financial management and tertiary teaching. Since 1992, Mr Amani has been a member of the Australian Society for Chartered Practicing Accountants.

The recruitment of Mr Amani was based on his successful application to the post that was advertised last year. He was among three highly qualified candidates who were interviewed by Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee (BSAC) and successfully won the position.

The Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee consists of President Momis, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Andrew Miriki, Bishop Tim Arthur representing the churches, Mrs Hona Hollan appointed by the Bougainville Women’s Federation and appointed by the PNG Law Society Mr Hubert Kikira. Under Bougainville law the Committee received a report from the independent panel of Secretary John Kali, Sir Paul Songo and Mr Simon Pentanu ranking the applications

PRESIDENT THANKS SIRIOSI, WELCOMES AMANI

President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government chief Dr. John Momis has thanked the outgoing acting chief secretary Chris Siriosi for a job well done under difficult situations.

When giving his keynote address during the official swearing in of the new chief secretary to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Monovi Amani today, the president assured Mr. Siriosi that the government has an important role for him to take up and use his experience, knowledge and commitment to serve the people of Bougainville.

He added by congratulating the outgoing acting chief secretary for assisting the government in achieving benchmarks that are important in our journey of self determination.

On that same note, chief Momis also congratulated and welcomed the new chief secretary Monovi Amani and thanked him for his acceptance of the offer to take on a difficult and challenging role to lead the public service under the direction of the ABG.

The president then assured the new chief secretary that the political leadership is committed to ensure that the public service has the necessary ware withal, financials, tactical and other resources necessary to implement to the full policy decisions and legislations made by the elected government of Bougainville