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Ombudsman Commission Office for Bougainville

By Tanya Lahies

The people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB) now have a legal office to issue their complaints about corruption against any employee or office of the public service and the government.

The Australian Government in partnership with the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Ombudsman Commission Office of Papua New Guinea made this significant achievement possible.

It is the ABG’s desire, per the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA), to have a government with a structure based on good governance. Autonomy, Referendum and Weapons Disposal are other core pillars of the BPA, a legal peace agreement that forms the overall architecture of the ABG.

It is an achievement of the region to have its own Ombudsman Commission Office for Bougainville and this outcome makes it more evident that the government’s autonomous arrangement is  justified as well as an awareness of the progress the ABG has made in drawing down powers from the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG).

Since the establishment of the first House of Representatives in 2005, a prime objective of the ABG was to draw down powers and functions from the National Government in Papua New Guinea.

Some of the outcomes are the establishment of the Bougainville Constitution; 44 laws passed; amendment to the Organic Law on Peace-building and subsequent repealing of the National Constitution; seven Memorandums of Understanding on the draw down of powers and functions from the National departments to ABG divisions.

Some of the achievements include ABG having its own Education Act and Mining Act that govern the overall activities of education and mining in the region.

On Friday, 12 May 2017, the three governments of Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, launched the office of the Ombudsman Commission for Bougainville- another success story of autonomy achieved- in Bougainville’s journey towards referendum on June 15, 2019.

The President Chief Dr John Momis, launched the opening of the office, urging for all people to report or issue a complaint about corruption by any public servant, office or politician and the government to the Ombudsman Commission Office for Bougainville.

Momis greatly acknowledged the Chief of Ombudsman Commissioner for Papua New Guinea, Michael Dick for delivering that service to Bougainville.

Momis welcomed the service to administrate leadership code and to monitor services provided from the public service.

“ Chief Ombudsman We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving us this service for the government to the people of Bougainville, to excel in good governance and to excel in upholding principles of integrity and justice in our region.”

“ By establishing your presence in Bougainville, I believe that the capacity of the Office of the Ombudsman Commission to investigate complaints will be significantly enhanced. This is truly welcomed,” Momis added.

“With the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) and the establishment of the Bougainville Constitution, the ABG has committed principles of honesty, transparency and leadership.”

President Momis also acknowledged the partnership from the Australian Government and the National Government.

The establishment of the office ensures that the government fulfills these obligations, Momis added.

Guest speakers who were presented included the Australian High Commissioner, Counsellor Law & Justice Gina Wilson, Ombudsman Commissioner Michael Dick, and Hon Willie Masiu, Minister for Police, Corrective Services & Justice.

The opening of the office is made possible by a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ombudsman Commission and the Autonomous Bougainville Government, signed in June 2016.

The office is currently staffed by two officers- a regional manager and investigator- and work is underway to recruit more staff.

“I welcome this as an effective office will ensure effective results,” President Momis said.

“As leaders, all of us in government need to remain mindful that our deeds and actions are under scrutiny,” Momis added.  

The office is located at Kubu, in Buka, and is already functioning.

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