ABG and NEFC collaborate on Study to enhance fiscal planning in Bougainville
The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) this week announced the commencement of the Cost of Services Study for Bougainville.
ABG Acting Chief Secretary Kearnneth Nanei said the Cost of Services Study will be undertaken together with the National Economic Fiscal Commission (NEFC) and will provide an evidence-based analysis and information to establish a comprehensive costing model for government services in Bougainville.
“The study is particularly critical for Bougainville as it prepares for independence and the ABG will use this data to guide government decision-making especially in the allocation of funds to sectors, while also assisting the government to work towards a sustainable fiscal arrangement for Bougainville,” he said.
“It will also complement the process of establishing the one-line budget system as well as to determine the costs involved in the ongoing Sharp Agreement process of transfer of powers and functions to the ABG.”
There are two segments to the Study which will run concurrently; one being the function assignment determination with Departments and the Pricing Survey of Basket of Goods with the private sector.
The Basket of Goods Survey will collect price information on various goods and services commonly used and paid for by the ABG Administration, District Development Authorities, Constituencies, and Community Governments annually. These include, but are not limited to:
- Office supplies and equipment, including stationery
- Household and cleaning items
- Food items (rations)
- Toiletries and clothing, including uniforms
- Mechanical spare parts and repair (vehicles/boats)
- Fuel prices (diesel/petrol/zoom/kerosene)
- Building materials (hardware supplies)
- Housing rentals for public servants
- Office rentals for government departments
- Vehicles and boat hire, including shipping charters and PMV fares
- Airfares and plane/helicopter charters
- Equipment repair (computers/photocopiers/printers/etc.)
- Medical supplies (public hospitals/health sub-centers and private clinics & pharmacies)
“The information collected in this survey is crucial for quantifying the annual fiscal needs of the ABG and will help determine the cost of administering government service delivery in the region, including its districts, constituencies, community governments, wards, and villages,” Mr Nanei said.
The Survey Teams jointly consisting of officers from the ABG Department of Treasury & Finance and the NEFC will be deployed to the three regions to conduct the Basket of Goods Survey on the following dates:
- Buka: 25-26th March 2024
- Arawa: 27-28th March 2024
- Buin: 3-4th April 2024
Mr Nanei said the success of this Survey depends also on the cooperation and assistance of the communities in Bougainville, and called for support in welcoming and assisting the Survey Teams as they visit the three regions.
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