ABG Tax Office welcomes engagement with LMEL on tax compliance
The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), through the Bougainville Tax Office (BTO), has welcomed Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd's (LMEL) commitment to meeting its tax obligations in Bougainville, while taking important administrative steps to ensure tax revenue generated from its operations is correctly attributed to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The matter was discussed during a stakeholder engagement held in Arawa on Friday, 26 June 2026, between the Bougainville Tax Office, the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) Provincial Office and representatives of LMEL.
The meeting was attended by Chief Bougainville Collector of Taxes, Mr Petereric Andrew, and the IRC Provincial Manager for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Mr. Robert Perekai.
LMEL confirmed that it has registered with the Internal Revenue Commission as a taxpayer and has commenced meeting its tax compliance obligations in accordance with Papua New Guinea's tax laws.
During the meeting, the Bougainville Tax Office and IRC advised LMEL to update its taxpayer registration details by changing its registered postal address from Port Moresby to Arawa, reflecting the company's operational presence in Bougainville.
Chief Bougainville Collector of Taxes Mr Petereric Andrew said the change is an important administrative requirement that will formally recognise LMEL as a Bougainville-based taxpayer within the IRC system.
"LMEL initially registered with the IRC using a Port Moresby postal address. However, the company is now residing and operating in Arawa. Updating its registration to reflect its Bougainville address will ensure it is recognised as a Bougainville-based taxpayer," Mr Andrew said.
He said maintaining accurate taxpayer records is essential to ensuring revenue collected from companies operating in Bougainville is processed correctly.
"When LMEL lodges tax returns and makes tax payments, the IRC relies on taxpayer registration details to attribute and apportion revenue appropriately. Correct registration helps ensure revenue generated from economic activity in Bougainville is recognised as Bougainville revenue."
The meeting also reaffirmed the ongoing partnership between the Bougainville Tax Office and the Internal Revenue Commission in administering national taxes in Bougainville, including Corporate Income Tax, Goods and Services Tax, Salary and Wages Tax, and Personal Income Tax.
Under the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement, the IRC collects these taxes on behalf of the ABG and remits to ABG to implement its development priorities. The Bougainville Tax Office provides administrative support to the IRC within the region to strengthen compliance and revenue administration.
This latest engagement demonstrates the ABG's continued focus on strengthening revenue governance and ensuring that economic activity within Bougainville delivers the maximum benefit to the people of Bougainville.
[ Back to News ]
