Statement of Condolence for the late Mr Stephen Burain
On behalf of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the ABG Ministry and Department of Mining and Petroleum and the people of Bougainville, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of the late Mr. Stephen Burain, his clan, and the people of Haku Constituency.
I acknowledge the contributions late Mr. Burain made to Bougainville through his dedicated service in government, business, church and his community.
Late Mr. Burain served in the Bougainville Administration for ten years. He was the pioneer CEO in 2006 for what was initially known as the ABG Mining Division under the first Kabui-led ABG government. The Mining Division later expanded into becoming the ABG Mining Department, and later the ABG Department of Mineral and Energy in 2011.
Late Mr. Burain’s leadership was instrumental in the development of Bougainville’s mining policy and legislative framework; a great legacy that he leaves behind. This work culminated in the Bougainville Mining Act 2015 and the Bougainville Mining Regulations 2016. He played a key role in translating our revolutionary resource development aspirations into Bougainville-specific policy and legislative frameworks; these frameworks that vest mineral ownership control with landowners and prioritise community affairs and national content participation.
His dedication to Bougainville extended beyond the public service. Mr. Burain’s unwavering faith, integrity, and commitment to ethical conduct set a powerful example for us all. During the restoration period on Bougainville, champions of restoration put their hands up for Bougainville to serve her people in this great and noble task. The late Mr. Steven Burain was one of these Bougainville champions. He chose to return to Bougainville in her hour of need, contributing significantly to the rebuilding of our institutions and the development of human resources in Bougainville.
Late Mr. Burain served Bougainville with the highest distinction; he played a part in the restoration of Bougainville, and especially in the establishment of the institution known as the Department of Mining today. He played a part in the development of Bougainville’s human resource capacity to take Bougainville forward after his time. He was a living example of what an individual Bougainvillean should be to realise our independence; we must be hard-working, with the highest standards in both our personal and professional moral and ethical conduct.
I thank the immediate family, his clan, and the people of Haku for his service to Bougainville. His legacy lives on and will continue to inspire future generations of Bougainvilleans as we work toward realizing our vision for independence.
I stand with his family in this time of sorrow and pray that they find comfort in the legacy of excellence and integrity that he leaves behind.
H.E Ishmael Toroama, MHR
President
Minister for Mineral and Energy
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