News and Public Notices

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the House for the ongoing collaboration, support and willingness in representing and advocating the voices and aspirations of our people at this higher level of governance. Through strengthened collaborations, we all can work together to drive Bougainville towards self-determination.

Mr. Speaker, this statement updates the House on the implementation and achievements of identified priorities for Community Development within the first 3 months of this year, 2024.

Mr. Speaker, the statement will also highlight the major priorities, including upcoming programs and events, the Ministry and Department of Community Development will be implementing within this year.

Mr. Speaker, I must also notify the House that the design and implementation of all major priorities for 2024 and beyond will be guided by the Department’s Corporate Plan (2023-2027), Major Policies and individual Sectional Management Action Plans for 2024.

Mr. Speaker, the Department’s Plans and Policies are consistent with the Social Sector Strategic Priority Areas (SPAs) of the Bougainville Integrated Strategic (BISDP 2023 – 2027), that seeks to set strategic pathways for the realization of the Bougainville Vision 2052.

Mr. Speaker, major achievements of the Department within the first quarter of 2024 has been the development and completion of its major plans, policies and legislation.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Community Development has successfully completed and submitted its 3-year Corporate Plan within this month, within the timeframes set by the Office of the Chief Secretary.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Community Development has also successfully completed two of its major policies on ABG NGO/ CSO/ Churches Partnership and Gender Equality, Women Empowerment and Peace and Security Policy.

Mr. Speaker, these two policies have been currently endorsed by the Bougainville Executive Council during the first BEC meeting within this month in Arawa. Mr. Speaker, the Department is now working towards unpacking the major (key) policy areas of these two policies. Mr. Speaker, through this process, the key policy areas of these policies will be further translated into specific programs for supporting community development service delivery in Bougainville.

Mr. Speaker, other major policies the Department is currently working towards completing this year are the Bougainville Arts Culture and Music Policy, the Bougainville Sports Development Policy and the Bougainville Youth Development Policy.

Mr. Speaker, the Department will ensure that these policies are submitted to the BEC for endorsement within the next quarter of this year. Mr. Speaker, in line with its priorities for the development and completion of major policies, the Department is also progressing the completion of 4 proposed laws on; Family and Child Protection, Bougainville Civil Registry, Censorship and the Integrated Community Development.

Mr. Speaker, the development of our major policies and legislations are directly in line with ABG’s priorities for the drawdown of powers and functions and accordingly seeks the implementation priorities the Sharp Agreement (2021).

Mr. Speaker, I will now proceed with updates on the major programs and events the Ministry and Department of Community Development have prioritized to implement this year. Mr. Speaker, a major priority for the Department, apart from its policies and legislations to conduct ongoing consultations with its National Counterparts including the National Ministry for Community Development, Department for Community Development & Religion and their Statutory Agencies.

Mr. Speaker, these consultations are significant for achieving our priorities on; institutional strengthening, capacity development, organizational restructuring and funding and resource procurement.

Mr. Speaker, these consultations are also set to support the completion of our policies and legislations and to identify mechanisms that will support their implementation processes in Bougainville. Mr. Speaker, the Ministry and Department have also identified major events for implementation in 2024.

Mr Speaker, these events include:

1. PNG Games to be held in Mendi, South Highlands Province (September 2024)
2. Major Arts Culture and Music Festivals and Events
3. 20 days (Human Rights) Activisim which will cover International Disability Day, International Youth Day, International Children’s Day, International Aids Day, Elimination of Violence Against Women

Mr Speaker, major projects the Department has prioritized to implement in 2024, with respect to the 2024 ABG Development Budget Allocation for 2024 for Community Development include:

1. Family Support Programs
2. Censorship Program  
3. Arts and Culture Support Program
4. Census Support Program

Mr. Speaker, the Department has further developed individual Management Action Plans with budgets, and projected cashflows for these projects and has submitted to the ABG Department of Treasury and Finance.

Mr. Speaker, this brief statement is a reflection of the achievements of the Ministry and Department of Community Development within the three months of this year.

Thank you and God Bless us all.

 

HON. MORRIS OPETI, MHR
MINISTER FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Member for Taonita Tinputz

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