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End of the year report

End of Year Report 
Office of the Chief Secretary 
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As 2018 draws to a close, I take this opportunity to highlight the progress and achievements of the ABG Public Service.

2018 has been a busy and challenging year. The ABG Public Service has continued to operate against a backdrop of significant funding constraints, capacity gaps and demands for change and reform. Despite this, we have made some good progress. Action has been taken to address fraud and corruption, officers implicated in theft have been dismissed and systems and structures have been enhanced and improved. We have better managed our finances through more effective controls, and through the work of external auditors, we have addressed significant payroll discrepancies. We have continued to support our farmers and primary producers through important initiatives such as the Commodity Support Facility, and we successfully hosted the third annual Bougainville Chocolate Festival in October, showcasing the excellence of our product to PNG and the world. We have been able to successfully convene two meetings of the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) with important issues resolved, including agreement on the referendum question, and we have engaged collaboratively with National Government Counterparts and Development Partners to ensure that we achieve a more harmonious approach to service delivery and support.

Implementation of the ABG Strategic Development Plan is now well underway, and we have finally established a dedicated policy and planning unit lead by a Deputy Chief Secretary. We have engaged with Districts and Community Government, and we are actively working to align services so that they reach those most in need. We have made gains in terms of health services, including the opening of the refurbished Awara Hospital, contributed to new electrification projects in South Bougainville, scoped longer term power options for all of Bougainville, and we continue to examine ways that we can invest in infrastructure to enhance our economic corridors and stimulate development across the Region. In partnership with the UN we have made headway in addressing continued issues around weapons disposal, and we are making great strides in reconciling the wounds of the past. We have engaged women, youth and community leaders and opened three dedicated youth centers in each Region. With the support of the Australian and New Zealand Governments we have opened new classrooms, teacher’s accommodation and law and justice facilities, and together we are working to enhance our overall service delivery footprint across all of Bougainville.

Yet, there have been numerous challenges. Despite our best efforts we continue to face systemic capacity constraints. The public service has been attacked and de-stabilised by some and National Government budget commitments have been significantly underpaid. Department Heads have had to operate in challenging operating environments, many in temporary accommodation due to eviction notices, and service providers continue to make demands for unsubstantiated claims. The Buka airport has been shut down, crucial navigation aids have been destroyed and critical work to secure the airport parameter has stalled due to demands of landowners. We have continued to encounter mass theft of funds, organised cases of fraud, and corruption throughout our public service agencies. In short, these challenges present a significant threat to peace and the referendum and continue to distract from the important work of providing services to those most in need.

It is on that basis that as Chief Secretary that I want to echo the President’s calls for unity. The fact is, that if the ABG public service is to evolve and be able to respond, then there is a need for leadership at the community level to ensure that those that seek to harm our reputation and public sector institutions are not able to do so. The fact is, that in any post-conflict environment, unity is the key to long term success. As the President has said, now is the time to unite as one Bougainville to secure our future and lay the foundations for development.

Before I conclude, I want to address one issue that continues to be raised in the public domain, that relating the acquisition of citizenship by Djoko Tjandra. It is clear to me that the individuals raising this matter are doing so as a means of casting aspersions on my character.

Let me be clear, I played no role in that individual’s citizenship application. As Acting Chief Migration Officer, and then as Deputy Chief Migration Officer, I provided categorical and clear advice to government on the matters related to permanent residence and citizenship. I was clear that the constitution did not allow for citizenship to be acquired. The final decision in relation to permanent residence was one made by the former Minister, and the former Minister alone, exercising the powers available to him under the Migration Act. The decision in relation to citizenship was also a decision of the Minister, counter to advice, and in contravention of the Constitution. I have made by position clear and I have provided copies of minutes and supporting documentation to the Ombudsman Commission for review.

On that note, I again state that I will not be standing down as Chief Secretary. Should the Ombudsman Commission consider I have a case to answer under the terms of the Leadership Code, then I will respond. Should the Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee elect to petition me on this matter, or any other, again I will respond. In the meantime, I will continue working hard to advance the interests of the public service, supporting the President and the BEC, for so long as I am afforded the privilege.

I wish everyone a safe and happy new year and I look forward to continuing the important work of public sector reform in 2019.

Joseph Nobetau 
Chief Secretary

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