Bougainville getting 70pc of taxes

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) will receive 70 per cent of tax collected in the region, according to the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting in Arawa last Friday.
It was one of nine resolutions passed by the JSB.
The meeting agreed to reverse the taxation structure of 70 per cent to the Government and 30 per cent to the ABG.
Prime Minister James Marape welcomed the new taxation arrangement.
“I am satisfied with this arrangement,” he said.
“It is complementary to my view that when you want to decentralise and empower a sub-national government or a specific region, in this case Bougainville, you must also ensure revenue-raising mechanisms so that they are empowered.”
He said the 30 per cent would be for national budget purposes.
“This is a small but a milestone that complements our view of economic independence, and empowering regional governments or sub-national governments,” Marape said.
“Bougainville is a special government in our country.
“It (Bougainville) is fully exercising the Government’s view of empowering the people.”
“All the revenue will be collected and kept here (in Bougainville) to carry out service delivery to the people.”
Marape reassured the ABG that the Government would settle the K621 million it owed in restoration development grants.
“The K621 million has been outstanding for the last 18, 19 or so years,” he said.
“The JSB affirmed without any shadow of doubt that the K621 million – confirmed by an independent United Nation’s assessment – is the actual amount owed by the Government to Bougainville as far as the 2001 Peace Agreement is concerned.”