News and Public Notices

1.Prime Minister James Marape, Ministers of the PNG Government; Ministers of the Bougainville Government; and Officials of both Governments, thank you for this opportunity to discuss matters that are very important for Bougainville’s political journey.

2.Let me state at the onset that I am very pleased with the cordial relations that our two offices continue to develop since my inauguration as it will provide a genuine platform on which to walk the journey ahead.

3.Honorable Prime Minister, as you know, at my inauguration, I announced a Six Point Strategic Plan. The six-point strategic plan is now guiding all political, administrative and development endeavors in Bougainville. They will also guide our intentions at this meeting and the next JSB as far as my government’s intentions are concerned.

4.Under Political control – we are keen to develop a common understanding on the Consultation and Ratification structures and processes.

5.Under Economic growth and control, there are a number of outstanding matters that we want resolved which include:

a. The outstanding Restoration Development Grants of K621million for which my government is seeking a sovereign guarantee

b. The K100million commitment per year by Prime Minister in 2019 Sept JSB

c. The K5 million outstanding on National Elections (2012 and 2017)

d. The PMs’ one-line budget item commitment;

e. The recently announced SME funding

f. The Bougainville Economic Summit

g. The outstanding Tax initiatives

h. The BCL Corporate Income Tax of K40m paid to PNG

i. The Transfer of BCL shares to Bougainville

j. and the sharing of revenue from Fisheries migratory fish stocks.

6.Under Administrative control – my government desires to address ongoing constraints that have affected the implementation of powers already drawn-down; and agree on an MOU to draw-down in a single arrangement the remaining powers under Section 290;

7.Under Mobilizing Private sector and Civil society – my government intends to empower the private sector and civil society to be active members in developing Bougainville forward at all levels.

8.Under Long term Vision and Planning – my government is developing a Bougainville Blue Print that will provide the overall framework for developing a Long-term Vision similar to your Vision 2050. We may seek national government assistance at an appropriate time.

9.Under International relations – Prime Minister, I am very pleased by your encouragement for Bougainville to start developing relationships with our development partners. We will begin cultivating international support from our international partners to establish their missions on Bougainville and we request PNG’s assistance in this regard.

10.Prime Minister, many of the agenda points noted above and to be tabled at this pre-JSB are not new. They have been discussed for many years and cannot continue on being recurring on the JSB’s agendas. We have now gone beyond the 15 years stipulated in the Bougainville Peace Agreement. And the people of Bougainville have voted 98% for the independence option. These outstanding agendas must be concluded before the next JSB so that we can focus on the substantive matters of Ratifying the Referendum Result.

Thank you Prime Minister and may God bless us all.

Hon. Ishmael Toroama

President

Autonomous Bougainville Government

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