ABG announces the re-organization of the Department of Mining and Petroleum and Establishment of the Bougainville Energy Office
The ABG Department of Mineral and Energy Resources has recently undergone institutional structural changes in alignment to the Bougainville Integrated Strategic Development Plan (BISDP) 2023-2027 and the Bougainville Energy Policy direction for the Bougainville energy sector.
ABG Secretary for the Department of Mining and Petroleum Peter Kolotein, announced these changes this week.
“The re-organization of the department was made official with the May publication in the Bougainville Gazette No. 09 of 2024. The re-organization sees minimal changes to the core functions of the department but sees a name change from the Department of Mineral and Energy Resources to now the Department of Mining and Petroleum,” Secretary Kolotein said.
On the broader energy front, the Bougainville Energy Office (BEO) has also been established under the Department of the President and the Bougainville Executive Council under the Office of the Chief Secretary.
Secretary Kolotein says that given the very broad and cross-cutting nature of the energy sector, having a comprehensive overarching energy policy is imperative for Bougainville and this is achieved in the Bougainville Energy Policy that was launched in March of 2023.
“A key function of the BEO is to assume administrative responsibilities for the Bougainville Energy Policy and overall cross-departmental management and coordination in relation to energy sector developments in Bougainville. A priority for BEO will be to improve Bougainville energy security through effective policy administration, planning and regulatory framework management.”
Under the leadership of Hon. President Ishmael Toroama who is also Minister for Mining and Energy, developing an energy policy, having an effective energy administration, and developing an energy legislative framework for Bougainville have been key priorities given the critical importance of energy to socio-economic development.
“As with all other countries, energy is fundamental for Bougainville’s socio-economic growth. Having energy policy, administrative and legislative frameworks in place is critical from the onset if sustainable energy-derived socio-economic development is to be realized,” Secretary Kolotein emphasized.
External recruitment for the Bougainville Energy Office will be undertaken within the next month; all Bougainville energy professionals are encouraged to apply.
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