New Minister for Community Government sworn in
A new Minister for the Community Government portfolio was sworn into office today following the voluntary resignation of the former Minister.
Hon. Milton Tukana, the ABG Member for Asikopan–Torau Constituency in Central Bougainville, officially took his oath of office to serve as Minister for Community Government after Hon. Paul Cheung resigned from the role.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, ABG Vice President Hon. Ezekiel Masatt, acknowledged the Member for Selau and clarified that Hon. Cheung had formally tendered his resignation in order to focus on serving his constituency.
“This swearing-in has been prompted by the voluntary resignation Member for Selau who was previously the Minister for Community Government,” he said, adding that he looks forward to the Member fully committing himself to issues requiring his leadership in his Constituency.
The Vice President also announced a minor Cabinet reshuffle, which now sees Hon. Thomas Pataaku appointed as Minister for Education, while Hon. Melvin Wilolopa assumes responsibility for both the Public Service and Community Development portfolios. He explained that the reshuffle was intended to ensure ministerial appointments align with individual strengths and departmental responsibilities.
Welcoming Hon. Tukana to the Executive Council, Vice President Masatt outlined the two processes used in appointing Ministers to Cabinet.
“There are two processes that are involved with the appointment of ministers; one process is to come through regional committees where each region is required to make nominations and then the President decides based on the nominations.”
“There is another process where the President through his discretion can make those appointments.”
He explained that former Minister Cheung had been appointed through Presidential discretion and that the vacancy was therefore filled through the same process.
Vice President Masatt also reminded Ministers of their responsibilities under Bougainville’s nation-building strategy.
“When the President gave his inaugural statement, he made it very clear on the issue of nation-building and in the last couple of months we have had sessions in the executive council where ministers were briefed and departments have been given clear pathways in terms of the nation-building strategy; I remind all ministers again to revisit this.”
He emphasized that the strategy remains critical to Bougainville’s independence-readiness.
“The timeline is set already; as it is I am confident we are on schedule; we are the ones who will make it work.”
He concluded by congratulating the newly appointed Minister.
In his response, Minister Hon. Milton Tukana thanked the President for recognizing Asikopan–Torau and its leadership through the appointment of a ministerial portfolio. He also acknowledged the outgoing Minister for his service during his tenure.
Minister Tukana pledged to work closely with his Department and relevant stakeholders to identify practical and workable solutions for strengthening community government systems.
“Being a person who has come up through the community government system I believe I will make the hard decisions to repeal amend and table policies that will sanction our community governments to progress to a self-functioning level.”
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