News and Public Notices

The leadership of the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the National Government have successfully reached an amicable and unified resolution to a long-standing legal matter arising from OS 85 of 2025, marking a significant milestone in cooperative governance, fiscal reconciliation, and service delivery.

Vice President Hon. Ezekiel Masatt, Hon. Albert Punghau, Minister for Treasury and Finance, Hon. Patrick Nisira, Minister for Technical Services, and Hon. Peter L. Tsiamalili Jr., Minister for National Works and Highways and Regional Member for Bougainville, convened over the past two days in Port Moresby to bring finality to the matter through constructive dialogue and principled engagement.

Following the National Court ruling, all parties entered into good-faith negotiations with the shared intention of resolving outstanding issues prior to escalation to the Supreme Court. This process has now culminated in a mutually agreed position, formalised through a Leadership Resolution adopted on 5 May 2026.

Central to the discussions was the acknowledgment that the Infrastructure Account contained both the Prime Minister’s Commitment funds and the Regional Member’s Infrastructure and Public Investment Programme (PIP) allocations, thereby requiring a coordinated, transparent, and jointly verified reconciliation process to ensure integrity in public financial management and equitable service delivery outcomes.

Key Outcomes of the Resolution

• Reconciliation of Funds: A jointly agreed and verified financial position has been accepted, restoring clarity and confidence in the management of public funds.
• Recognition of Development Expenditure: All committed expenditures undertaken for legitimate development purposes have been recognised as valid and aligned with service delivery objectives.
• Future Funding Alignment: It has been agreed that future budget frameworks must clearly reflect Prime Minister’s Commitments as RDG arrears, ensuring consistency with Section 326 of the Constitution and the Organic Law on Peace-Building in Bougainville.
• Strengthened Governance and Transparency: The resolution reinforces adherence to national public finance frameworks, promoting accountability, transparency, and coordinated intergovernmental financial management. 

A Decision for Unity and Service Delivery

At the core of this resolution is a collective decision by all leaders to prioritise unity, mutual understanding, and the welfare of the people of Bougainville over prolonged legal proceedings.

• A shared commitment to peace-building and constitutional governance
• Respect for institutional processes and judicial outcomes
• A forward-looking approach focused on development delivery rather than dispute

Leadership Statement

“This resolution affirms that leadership must rise above differences to serve our people. While the courts provide a pathway for legal determination, it is through unity, dialogue, and mutual respect that sustainable outcomes are achieved. Our focus now is firmly on delivering infrastructure and development for Bougainville.”

Way Forward

• Fully implement the terms of the Leadership Resolution
• Strengthen coordination between the National Government and ABG
• Ensure all future funding arrangements are transparent, compliant, and development-driven
• Prioritise infrastructure delivery and economic development across Bougainville

This resolution establishes a unified platform for moving forward and reflects the maturity of Bougainville’s leadership in resolving complex financial and constitutional matters through consensus.

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