Bougainville govt swears in new secretaries as departmental heads

The National National

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has sworn-in 10 new secretaries to head its government departments in the Bougainville public service.
According to a statement from the ABG, this follows the ABG government’s recruitment exercise for senior positions in the Bougainville administration that started with the departmental heads.
The Bougainville senior appointments committee which carries out the selection process, is chaired by Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama, completed its appointments in April following a selection process.
Among the 10 departmental heads sworn in last week, was chief secretary to the ABG, Shadrach Himata, who has been in an acting capacity for almost two years.
The other nine persons sworn in yesterday as new secretaries are:

  • John Auna – secretary for Finance and Treasury;
  • Joel Nava – Education secretary;
  • Stephanie Elizah – secretary for Bougainville Independence Mission Implementation;
  • Lynette Braratai – Pokas – secretary for Lands and Physical Planning;
  • Alex Kerangpuna – secretary for Commerce Trade and Economic Services;
  • Tony Koiri – secretary for Technical Services;
  • Kenneth Dovaro – secretary for Department of Primary Industry and Marine Resources; and,
  • Timothy Gaemate – secretary for President and Bougainville Executive Council;

Secretary for Community Government Elly Sawa was not sworn due to being on duty travel in Port Moresby.
Toroama encouraged collaboration engagement between the departments in dealing with their respective priorities and implementing Bougainville’s independence mission.
He also stressed the need departments to start utilising the Sharp Agreement to draw down powers and functions from Waigani as well as creating a better relationship between the political and administrative arms of the ABG.
Toroama expressed optimism in building a cohesive partnership between the two arms of the ABG to ensure efficient service delivery and gaining traction in the Bougainville independence mission.
He urged the newly sworn in secretaries to carry out their duties with integrity, accountability and transparency.