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Presidential Statement to Parliament

Mr Speaker, this is the 4th Meeting of the Bougainville House of Representatives since the inauguration. It therefore offers a good opportunity to reflect on our performance in the 4 months we have been in government, as we also get closer to the Christmas holidays and the end of 2020.

Mr Speaker, the priorities for this Government were announced in my inauguration speech. I expected the Ministers to take your cue from my priorities and implement them through your respective Dept Plans. I also expected ordinary members to take your cue from my priorities.

My priorities were then packaged into the 100 Day Plan, with 11 Pillars and being implemented by the various Departments under the administrative leadership of the Acting Chief Secretary. Some progress has been made in implementing the priorities.

Mr Speaker, under Pillar 1 Setting up of the new Government, all Ministers have been appointed and Ministerial staff recruited as well. All Ministries are functioning as we speak. 

Under Pillar 2 The Bougainville Blue Print, the High-level Bougainville Strategic Research and Planning Secretariat has been approved by BEC and will be operational as of January next year.

Under Pillar 3 Bougainville Independence, our preparations under Hon Minister Masatt, are at an advanced stage, however, consultations are obviously happening slower the expected because of the national political context. We are however ready to engage as soon as the situation stabilizes in Port Moresby.

Mr Speaker, under Pillar 4 Economic Growth and Control, planning is currently at the final stages for conducting the Social Economic Baseline Survey, which will provide the baseline information needed for economic planning.  The Economic Summit is planned to be held in April 2021 at an estimated cost of K4m which seems too excessive in my view. My government has also launched the Manetai Lime stone project, we have launched the Integrated Landowner Group registration exercise for Bana Special Economic Zone, and we are reviewing the failed ABG Businesses to find ways of either resurrecting them or closing them. I will be making a Policy Statement in this regard in 2021.        

Under Pillar 5 Law and Order, the Minister for Police recently visited Tonu but a lot more needs to be done to attend to the hot spots and general lawlessness throughout the island especially during the festive season.

Mr Speaker, under Pillar 6 Administrative control, some Departmental Heads recently signed new contracts and there is also some restructuring taking place. BEC has also approved the establishment of the Bougainville Strategic Research and Planning Secretariat which will be the engine room for innovation and change. We shall wait to see the impact of these changes in the new year.   

Pillar 7, Corruption is where a lot more effort must be placed next year. Financial management and the procurement of goods and services continues to be of concern with hints of “insider trading” as a common practice.

Pillar 8 Working with Private sector and Civil society needs a policy review in order to better guide the collaboration from 2021 onwards.

Mr Speaker, Pillar 9 the Long-term Vision will be framed in 2021 after the Bougainville Blue Print has been endorsed by BEC.  

In relation to Pillar 10 “International Relations”, I am happy to report of my cordial discussions with several Foreign Missions in Port Moresby. The relationships and understandings cultivated will require follow up next year through the newly established Bougainville Strategic Research and Planning Secretariat.

Mr Speaker, on Pillar 11 which is Cultivating Relationships with PNG, this is an important part of the Joint Consultative Framework under Pillar 3 under the Trident Strategy.  The Bougainville Regional Member will be a very important of this strategy. I therefore urge all members of this house to campaign for and vote a leader with proven leadership ability and commitment to the Referendum outcome and Independence.

Mr Speaker, as you can see, in the 4 months of office, some actions and progress have been made but a lot more must be done under the 11 Pillars next year so that we can feel the impact of these priorities across Bougainville society.

Mr Speaker, let me know turn to the important agenda of implementing the 98% Referendum result. As Honorable Members of this House are aware, a large Bougainville delegation traveled to Port Moresby. The delegation comprised three groups which are the Joint Technical Team (JTT); the Bougainville Consultation Team (BCT) and the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) members. Both the Consultation team and the JSB were unable to meet due to the fluid national political situation.

The JTT however met and made a number of resolutions:          

With regards to the Inter-Governmental Consultation Process Framework, the JTT resolved:

  • To retain JSB as it is constitutionally established through the BPA
  • That a Joint Secretariat be established to facilitate joint consultations.
  • That Bertie Ahern be International Moderator 
  • That there be further discussions regarding the definition and processes for ratifying the Referendum result
  • That there be a Joint Communique as a road-map for implementing the post referendum issues including the Ratification of the 98% Referendum result

Mr Speaker, on the matter of the Bougainville Economic Forum; the JTT acknowledged the Economic Summit to be held in first quarter of 2021. The ABG has already allocated K1million to the Summit and ABG is seeking K3million counterpart funding from PNG. A total of K4million will be spent on this event which will generate (i) baseline data; (ii) identify priority economic development initiatives; (iii) identify key policy development areas.            

Mr Speaker, In relation to the BCL shares, JTT resolved that PNG Govt complete the process of transferring the BCL shares from the Kumul Mineral Holdings to ABG Bougainville Mineral Limited

On the subject of Fisheries revenue, JTT resolved that the outstanding K5million be paid in 2020, and that the boundaries of the Bougainville waters be established through a delimitation exercise.

With regards to the long outstanding Taxation matter, JTT agreed to resolve a number of outstanding issues including:

  • the K40 paid to PNG IR but yet to be credited to ABG
  • Amend laws that currently prevent tax revenues from being channeled to ABG.      

Mr Speaker, in relation to the recently launched National Government SME Funding, JTT resolved to seek Department of Commerce to provide clarification on the SME funding announced by Prime Minister in Arawa December 2019.

On the matter of establishing Foreign Missions Offices in Bougainville, JTT clarified that the statement by the Prime Ministers was specifically in relation to the possibility of Development Partners establishing offices in Bougainville.

Mr Speaker, with regards to the Financial Issues, JTT resolved to ask the     Government of PNG to provide clarification on the Prime Ministers commitment on K100m made in Sept 2019 JSB. PNG will also provide feedback on ABG’s K621 Sovereign Guarantee loan. The One Line Budget approach stated by the Prime Minister at the inauguration, applies to the whole of PNG provinces and not only to Bougainville.  

Mr. Speaker, as you can see from the above statements, next year is going to be a very busy year as my government embarks on delivering its vision and development agenda. We have no time to waist, and I urge all Leaders and the Administration to re-energize and hit the ground running when we return from holidays.

Mr Speaker, before concluding my Statement, let me remind this House of the Bougainville Regional by elections that is underway. The next 2 years, is a very crucial period as we go into consultations with the PNG Government on the 98% and political independence for Bougainville. The Bougainville Regional seat, is equivalent to a Governors’ seat in other provinces, so it is a very important seat. Now is not the time to vote for beginners. We need quality and experienced political leaders with active national and international links, who can fight for Bougainville independence, on the floor of PNG Parliament, and also lobby with international friends.  There are six candidates from which you are to make your choice of 1, 2 and 3.  I appeal to you to put party politics aside and vote for who will best deliver the Referendum result and Independence for Bougainville.         

Mr Speaker, as this is the last meeting for this year, let me take this opportunity and thank all Ministers in my cabinet for the leadership that you have shown so far. Some of you are naturally on a steep learning curve and that was always expected. The four months has provided adequate space for on-the-job training and you must now start delivering from January onwards.

To all ordinary Members of this House, whether or not you hold a Ministry, you are still a member of my team and I am still your President. I look forward to your leadership, to implement my vision and strategies in your Constituencies.

I also want to thank you, for the robust discussions on the floor of Parliament. However, it needs to be exercised with maturity and responsibility. Whilst there will be many opportunities, for critique and comments on matters brought to Parliament, you as a leader must pick your moment and make your statement when it matters most – and not on every paragraph.          

Finally, Mr. Speaker, may Peace, Joy and Good Tidings be with you all, your families and your constituencies. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!!!     

President Ishmael Toroama

Mr Speaker, this is the 4th Meeting of the Bougainville House of Representatives since the inauguration. It therefore offers a good opportunity to reflect on our performance in the 4 months we have been in government, as we also get closer to the Christmas holidays and the end of 2020.

Mr Speaker, the priorities for this Government were announced in my inauguration speech. I expected the Ministers to take your cue from my priorities and implement them through your respective Dept Plans. I also expected ordinary members to take your cue from my priorities.

My priorities were then packaged into the 100 Day Plan, with 11 Pillars and being implemented by the various Departments under the administrative leadership of the Acting Chief Secretary. Some progress has been made in implementing the priorities.

Mr Speaker, under Pillar 1 Setting up of the new Government, all Ministers have been appointed and Ministerial staff recruited as well. All Ministries are functioning as we speak. 

Under Pillar 2 The Bougainville Blue Print, the High-level Bougainville Strategic Research and Planning Secretariat has been approved by BEC and will be operational as of January next year.

Under Pillar 3 Bougainville Independence, our preparations under Hon Minister Masatt, are at an advanced stage, however, consultations are obviously happening slower the expected because of the national political context. We are however ready to engage as soon as the situation stabilizes in Port Moresby.

Mr Speaker, under Pillar 4 Economic Growth and Control, planning is currently at the final stages for conducting the Social Economic Baseline Survey, which will provide the baseline information needed for economic planning.  The Economic Summit is planned to be held in April 2021 at an estimated cost of K4m which seems too excessive in my view. My government has also launched the Manetai Lime stone project, we have launched the Integrated Landowner Group registration exercise for Bana Special Economic Zone, and we are reviewing the failed ABG Businesses to find ways of either resurrecting them or closing them. I will be making a Policy Statement in this regard in 2021.        

Under Pillar 5 Law and Order, the Minister for Police recently visited Tonu but a lot more needs to be done to attend to the hot spots and general lawlessness throughout the island especially during the festive season.

Mr Speaker, under Pillar 6 Administrative control, some Departmental Heads recently signed new contracts and there is also some restructuring taking place. BEC has also approved the establishment of the Bougainville Strategic Research and Planning Secretariat which will be the engine room for innovation and change. We shall wait to see the impact of these changes in the new year.   

Pillar 7, Corruption is where a lot more effort must be placed next year. Financial management and the procurement of goods and services continues to be of concern with hints of “insider trading” as a common practice.

Pillar 8 Working with Private sector and Civil society needs a policy review in order to better guide the collaboration from 2021 onwards.

Mr Speaker, Pillar 9 the Long-term Vision will be framed in 2021 after the Bougainville Blue Print has been endorsed by BEC.  

In relation to Pillar 10 “International Relations”, I am happy to report of my cordial discussions with several Foreign Missions in Port Moresby. The relationships and understandings cultivated will require follow up next year through the newly established Bougainville Strategic Research and Planning Secretariat.

Mr Speaker, on Pillar 11 which is Cultivating Relationships with PNG, this is an important part of the Joint Consultative Framework under Pillar 3 under the Trident Strategy.  The Bougainville Regional Member will be a very important of this strategy. I therefore urge all members of this house to campaign for and vote a leader with proven leadership ability and commitment to the Referendum outcome and Independence.

Mr Speaker, as you can see, in the 4 months of office, some actions and progress have been made but a lot more must be done under the 11 Pillars next year so that we can feel the impact of these priorities across Bougainville society.

Mr Speaker, let me know turn to the important agenda of implementing the 98% Referendum result. As Honorable Members of this House are aware, a large Bougainville delegation traveled to Port Moresby. The delegation comprised three groups which are the Joint Technical Team (JTT); the Bougainville Consultation Team (BCT) and the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) members. Both the Consultation team and the JSB were unable to meet due to the fluid national political situation.

The JTT however met and made a number of resolutions:          

With regards to the Inter-Governmental Consultation Process Framework, the JTT resolved:

To retain JSB as it is constitutionally established through the BPA
That a Joint Secretariat be established to facilitate joint consultations.
That Bertie Ahern be International Moderator 
 That there be further discussions regarding the definition and processes for ratifying the Referendum result
That there be a Joint Communique as a road-map for implementing the post referendum issues including the Ratification of the 98% Referendum result.

Mr Speaker, on the matter of the Bougainville Economic Forum; the JTT acknowledged the Economic Summit to be held in first quarter of 2021. The ABG has already allocated K1million to the Summit and ABG is seeking K3million counterpart funding from PNG. A total of K4million will be spent on this event which will generate (i) baseline data; (ii) identify priority economic development initiatives; (iii) identify key policy development areas.            

Mr Speaker, In relation to the BCL shares, JTT resolved that PNG Govt complete the process of transferring the BCL shares from the Kumul Mineral Holdings to ABG Bougainville Mineral Limited

On the subject of Fisheries revenue, JTT resolved that the outstanding K5million be paid in 2020, and that the boundaries of the Bougainville waters be established through a delimitation exercise.

With regards to the long outstanding Taxation matter, JTT agreed to resolve a number of outstanding issues including:

the K40 paid to PNG IR but yet to be credited to ABG
Amend laws that currently prevent tax revenues from being channeled to ABG.      

Mr Speaker, in relation to the recently launched National Government SME Funding, JTT resolved to seek Department of Commerce to provide clarification on the SME funding announced by Prime Minister in Arawa December 2019.

On the matter of establishing Foreign Missions Offices in Bougainville, JTT clarified that the statement by the Prime Ministers was specifically in relation to the possibility of Development Partners establishing offices in Bougainville.

Mr Speaker, with regards to the Financial Issues, JTT resolved to ask the     Government of PNG to provide clarification on the Prime Ministers commitment on K100m made in Sept 2019 JSB. PNG will also provide feedback on ABG’s K621 Sovereign Guarantee loan. The One Line Budget approach stated by the Prime Minister at the inauguration, applies to the whole of PNG provinces and not only to Bougainville.  

Mr. Speaker, as you can see from the above statements, next year is going to be a very busy year as my government embarks on delivering its vision and development agenda. We have no time to waist, and I urge all Leaders and the Administration to re-energize and hit the ground running when we return from holidays.

Mr Speaker, before concluding my Statement, let me remind this House of the Bougainville Regional by elections that is underway. The next 2 years, is a very crucial period as we go into consultations with the PNG Government on the 98% and political independence for Bougainville. The Bougainville Regional seat, is equivalent to a Governors’ seat in other provinces, so it is a very important seat. Now is not the time to vote for beginners. We need quality and experienced political leaders with active national and international links, who can fight for Bougainville independence, on the floor of PNG Parliament, and also lobby with international friends.  There are six candidates from which you are to make your choice of 1, 2 and 3.  I appeal to you to put party politics aside and vote for who will best deliver the Referendum result and Independence for Bougainville.         

Mr Speaker, as this is the last meeting for this year, let me take this opportunity and thank all Ministers in my cabinet for the leadership that you have shown so far. Some of you are naturally on a steep learning curve and that was always expected. The four months has provided adequate space for on-the-job training and you must now start delivering from January onwards.

To all ordinary Members of this House, whether or not you hold a Ministry, you are still a member of my team and I am still your President. I look forward to your leadership, to implement my vision and strategies in your Constituencies.

I also want to thank you, for the robust discussions on the floor of Parliament. However, it needs to be exercised with maturity and responsibility. Whilst there will be many opportunities, for critique and comments on matters brought to Parliament, you as a leader must pick your moment and make your statement when it matters most – and not on every paragraph.          

Finally, Mr. Speaker, may Peace, Joy and Good Tidings be with you all, your families and your constituencies. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!!!     

President Ishmael Toroama

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