Two new Ministers sworn in to Cabinet
Two new Ministers were sworn into cabinet today – Hon Geraldine Paul taking on the responsibility of the new Minister for Finance and Treasury and Hon. Patrick Koles as the new Minister for Primary Industries.
ABG President Hon. Ishmael Toroama welcomed and congratulated the two new Ministers for taking up the challenge in these leadership roles and urged them to do their best at achieving the government’s priorities within the limited time frame left.
“I congratulate you both for taking up this challenge in leadership. We do not have much time left but we can work at ensuring that we meet the government’s priorities and that is to raise our revenue to achieve that independence for Bougainville,” he said.
President Toroama thanked the former Minister for Primary Industries Hon. Geraldine Paul for taking up the portfolio for the Minister for Finance and Treasury. He urged Minister Paul to ensure strengthening revenue collection mechanisms, prudent financial management and effective allocation of resources in her new role, ensuring fiscal discipline and promoting transparency in financial expenditure as this was a longstanding priority of the ABG.
“As you take over the Finance and Treasury portfolio, I want your primary focus to be on strengthening revenue collection mechanisms and providing adequate funding for Health, Education, Transport development and to improve infrastructure service delivery in Bougainville,” he said.
President Toroama also welcomed the new Minister for Primary Industries Hon. Patrick Koles, stressing that the new Minister brings to cabinet a wealth of experience from the public service and private sector proving himself as a capable administrator.
“His presence in the Bougainville Executive Council (BEC) will greatly benefit the Executive Council. Minister Koles your role is very crucial in driving sustainable agriculture development in Bougainville,” he said.
President Toroama urged Minister Koles to put strong emphasis on cocoa production in Bougainville, stressing that efforts should be directed towards increasing the yield of farmers improving for quality production and ensuring revenue earned from cocoa remains within Bougainville to benefit local communities.
“We have to provide our farmers with better access to markets, training and financial support will be the key to achieve these goals,” President Toroama said.
President Toroama reiterated that the ABG had established Bougainville Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (BACRA) and with recent appointment of the BACRA Council, the Ministry and Department of Primary Industries must operationalize this entity (BACRA) and harness the potential that commodities in Bougainville have in raising the revenue for Bougainville.
“BACRA when fully operational will improve on our capacity to deliver on high standards of quality output from agricultural commodities,” he said.
Both Ministers sworn in today reaffirmed their commitment to serve diligently and deliver the ABG’s priorities regardless of the limited term left in office.
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