A MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY JOSEPH NOBETAU

Chief Secretary Joseph Nobetau today announced that a further seven officers from the Autonomous Bougainville Government Public Service have been terminated for engaging in misconduct.

This action stems from the recently concluded investigation in relation to un-authorized negotiations with the National Government, which led to the Termination of the Former Secretary for Peace Agreement Implementation.

“As Chief Secretary, I remain committed in my drive to ensure transparency and accountability at all levels within the ABG Public Service. The conduct of these individuals, who each claim to have been acting on instructions from above, demonstrates the callous disregard for the rule of law and accepted practice that has become so entrenched in our Public Service Departments. I will not allow this to continue and I place all public servants on notice that those that break the law and engage in bad behavior will be held to account, regardless of the circumstances,” Mr Nobetau said.

In making the decision to terminate these officers, the Chief Secretary ensured that a full and open investigation process was followed. All officers were given an opportunity to respond to the allegations raised and the decision to terminate employment was been made in full accordance with the Bougainville Public Services (Management and Administration) Act 2014. This is a process that was recently validated by the National Court in relation to another matter challenging this process.

“The fact is that any decision to remove an officer of the Public Service is not taken lightly and only after a full natural justice process has taken place,” the Chief Secretary said.

Speaking further, the Mr Nobetau said that the terminated officers had breached public finance management legislation by negotiating and engaging with private business houses to seek loans. He indicated that such a practice was unacceptable and gave rise to almost K1 million in debt liability to the ABG.

“Business Houses need to be cautious of so called public servants seeking loans or money without authority. I accept that in some cases business genuinely lent money believing it was lawful, but the evidence also suggests that some business conspired with officers in a deliberate intent to defraud the Government. These are now matters for police investigation and I can assure the people of Bougainville that those that have engaged in unlawful practice will face the full consequence of the law,” Mr Nobetau said.

In concluding, the Chief Secretary made it clear that he continues to exercise the mandate of the President in dealing with these matters and placed all public servants on notice to abide by the law and put the interests of Bougainville first.

The media statement is authorized with the signature of the Chief Secretary Joseph Nobetau.

[ Back to News ]