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Mr. Speaker, I rise before this honourable house to present my statement on the final parliamentary sitting of the Fourth Bougainville House of Representatives (BHOR).

Mr. Speaker, I am humbled and grateful to be delivering this statement as the President of Bougainville. It has been a profound honour and privilege to serve our people at such a pivotal time in our history. While the fourth house winds down, this offers us a time to reflect on the progress, challenges and achievements of this government under our collective leadership.

When I assumed office five years ago, Bougainville was at a crossroads. The overwhelming result of the 2019 Bougainville Referendum provided us with a clear mandate: 97.7% of our people chose independence. Our responsibility was to guide this decision carefully through the post-referendum process, ensuring our journey remained peaceful, structured and inclusive.

Over these past five years, the Autonomous Bougainville Government has focused on four pillars:

• Advancing Bougainville’s independence agenda
• Strengthening good governance and public service delivery
• Promoting economic growth and internal revenue generation
• Consolidating peace, law and order

Mr. Speaker, these efforts were guided by my six-point strategy which I would like to briefly focus on. The six-point strategy called for:

Political Control

As independence remains the ultimate goal of Bougainville’s political leadership, the strategy is aimed at establishing control and creating a society where citizens can become responsible and law-abiding. The election of many young leaders to the fourth House of Representatives in 2020 brought renewed hope for transforming governance systems and achieving this vision. Central to this transformation is the commitment to open communication and inclusive engagement with the people which has guided the development of the new Bougainville Constitution as part of the process to ratify the overwhelming 97.7% referendum result in favour of independence.

Economic Control

The Economic Control strategy stands as a pillar in our journey towards self-determination. Through the “Anchoring Bougainville Economy” program, we are taking decisive steps to establish a Bougainville-owned investment registry, restructure the Bougainville Tax office into a comprehensive Bougainville Revenue House and implement a new independent taxation system. These initiatives are not merely administrative, they are the foundations upon which we build an economy that is locally controlled, responsive to our people’s needs and fully aligned with Bougainville’s legislative authority. This is how we will ensure that our economic development is anchored firmly in the hands of Bougainvilleans.

A central focus of this strategy is the responsible reopening of Panguna mine which is a vital economic asset that holds the potential to sustain a significant portion of Bougainville’s budget.  Our path to sovereignty is not merely built on words, it’s based on strategies that pursue sustainable economic reforms that we will forge a self-sufficient Bougainville, capable of standing confidently as an independent nation among the global community.

Administrative Control

In our efforts to strengthen administrative control, there is a visible general shift in the Bougainville Administration. More of our younger administrative officers have taken on positions of responsibility as Secretaries, Directors and Managers. These are young people, groomed by the Bougainville Administration and have an intimate knowledge of our administrative structures in our respective government departments.

We are now working to transfer key powers from the national government to Bougainville so that we can manage our own services, develop our own policies and build a public service that truly understands and serves our communities.

This is not just about independence on paper it is about real, practical control of our schools, our health services, our economy and our laws. I am committed to building a government that is efficiency, accountable, and fully capable of leading Bougainville into the future. Together, we are taking the necessary steps to govern ourselves and to stand proudly as an independent nation.

Mobilisation of the Private Sector Development and Non-Government Organisation

From the beginning, I knew that government alone could not build our future. We needed our businesses, our churches, our community organisations, and our NGOs to walk with us. Together we have worked to grow local industries, improve services, and create more opportunities for our people.

This journey has not been easy, but I have seen the strength of Bougainville’s entrepreneurial spirit and the dedication of our community partners. Small businesses have stepped up, NGOS have delivered vital programs, and we have built partnerships that will continue to shape our nation. Moving forward, we must continue to strengthen these relationships, create space for local investment, and build an economy that benefits every Bougainvillean.

Mid to Long Term Planning

Our journey towards self-determination must be built on solid, long-term planning. Our government has moved beyond short-term responses to focus on where we want Bougainville to be not just tomorrow, but in the years and decades ahead.

This is why the Bougainville Vision 2052 is so important. It is our long-term national roadmap, setting out our collective vision for a peaceful, prosperous, and independent Bougainville. To ensure we stay on track, we introduced our first Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2023-2027. This plan is not just a document; it is a working strategy that integrates the priorities of the Toroama-Nisira Government’s Six-Point Strategy. It focuses on economic control, political control, mobilising our private sector, strengthening public service, law and order, and aligning all our development efforts towards our ultimate goal of full independence.

These plans reflect our commitment to disciplined, purposeful leadership. They provide a clear direction for our people and our partners, ensuring that every step we take is aligned with Bougainville’s long-term interests. We must continue to work together – government, businesses, churches, NGOs, and all communities – to make this vision a reality.

International Relations

Over the past five years, Bougainville’s international relations have become a vital part of our journey towards self-determination. As we have pursued greater political and economic control, we have also worked carefully to build responsible, respectful relationships with the global community. We understand that as Bougainville prepares for its future, we must also prepare to take our place on the international stage.

We have engaged our closest partners, maintained an open dialogue with Papua New Guinea, and begun to build connections with regional and international stakeholders who respect our right to determine our own future. These relationships are essential – not only for political recognition but also for economic investment, technical cooperation, and sustainable development.

As President, I remain committed to strengthening these partnerships, guided by principles of mutual respect, peaceful cooperation, and the long-term interest of Bougainville. Our international relationships must support our people’s aspirations and protect Bougainville’s place in the world.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, our achievements have been significant:

• We delivered the Bougainville Independence Mission, clearly defining our political roadmap and timeline
• We negotiated and signed the Era Kone Covenant – a landmark commitment guiding our transition to the final political settlement.
• We strengthened the capacity of the Bougainville Public Service, building the foundations for accountable governance
• We expanded education, health and infrastructure services, particularly in rural areas, despite severe resource constraints
• We made substantial progress in enhancing our internal revenue streams through improved tax collection and strategic economic partnerships
• We invested in agriculture, fisheries, and the revival key industries that sustain our economy in the long term.

But let us be honest about the challenges we faced:

• Our financial dependence on the National Government remains a critical constraint. The timely disbursement of Restoration and Development Grants was often inconsistent, limiting our ability to implement projects efficiently.
• We continue to deal with law and orders issues, especially armed groups who remain outside the formal peace framework
• Revenue generation, while improving, is still far below the level required for economic self-reliance
• Bougainville still carries the scars of unresolved historical grievances, and pockets of social division linger in some communities

These challenges remind us that the journey to full nationhood is not only political it is also economic, social, and spiritual. It requires patience, unity and resilience.

Mr Speaker, to the people of Bougainville, I thank you from the depths of my heart. You entrusted me with this great responsibility, and you stood with me through moments of triumph and difficulty. Your strength, your faith in our cause, and your commitment to peace have sustained this government.

To our Chiefs and traditional leaders – thank you for guiding us with your wisdom. To our youth – thank you for your energy and your vision for a new Bougainville. To our women – thank you for being the backbone of our society, for championing peace and development in every community.

To my colleagues in the Bougainville Executive Council, to the Members of this Honourable House, and to the Public Service, thank you for your tireless efforts. Leadership is not the work of one man: it is the collective endeavour of many.

To Prime Minister James Marape and the Government of Papua New Guinea, I thank you for remaining engaged in dialogue with us. Our partnership has not always been easy, but we have made history together by demonstrating that even the most difficult questions can be approached peacefully, through mutual respect.

Mr Speaker, Bougainville stands on the threshold of a new era. The Era Kone Covenant charts the pathway for the financial political settlement, to be ratified by the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea. It is a process that demands maturity, diplomacy and unity. It is not a time for division or complacency. Our leaders in the next government must continue to:

• Complete the negotiations for Bougainville’s political settlement
• Build a resilient and diversified economy that can sustain our sovereignty
• Strengthen the rule of law and ensure peace prevails throughout Bougainville
• Investment in our young people, because they will inherit the nation we are building

Let me be clear; independence is not the work of one generation; it is the inheritance of many. We have prepared the foundation. The next government must now complete the house.

Mr Speaker, as I take my leave, I do so with no regret but with immense gratitude. The path we have walked together was never easy, but it was necessary. I remain forever at the service of Bougainville and her people in whatever way I am called upon.

God bless you all and God bless Bougainville

 

Hon. Ishmael Toroama, MHR
President

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