B’ville to have 14 departments

By STEPHANIE ELIZAH
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government is in the process of establishing the foundation of the Bougainville public service, with K2 million appropriated from this year’s ABG budget for it.
ABG human resource division chief executive officer Shem Satoriri said the process would involve the Bougainville administration being broken into 14 departments.
He said that was to align the Bougainville administrative structure with the region’s unique political arrangements under autonomy.
Satoriri said the restructure would enhance effective collaboration between ABG departments and national government departments on the draw-down of powers from the state to ABG.
“It will enhance the capacity of the Bougainville public service to implement autonomy by attracting experienced and qualified personnel from outside Bougainville to work in the autonomous region,” Satoriri said.
He said the restructuring exercise would be implemented in phases this year.
“Phase one starts with the advertisement of 15 senior executive positions in the new departmentalisation structure.
“Following the completion of phase one, phase two will be to draw up departmental structures and advertise priority departments and senior position.”
He said a formal request on the transfer of public service powers and functions from the national government to ABG would be made at the joint supervisory board meeting planned for this month.
“Bougainville wants a public service that is effective.
“There has to be a change in order to develop this region,” Satoriri said.
“The Public Service Management Act clearly outlines from the beginning to the end what powers are available for us to request for transfer,” he said.
Public service powers and functions that have been delegated to all provincial administrations and the ABG include creation and abolition of offices, creation so temporary offices, selection and recruitment, temporary employment, contract management, training disciplinary matters, minor disciplinary matters, serious disciplinary matters, resignation to contest the national election, age retirement and retirement on medical grounds.
Satoriri said other important functions to be transferred included public service commission and appointments of departmental heads.
“It is up to us to decide and prioritise what powers should be transferred, while being mindful of the capacity issues that confront us,” Satoriri said.