News and Public Notices

The Bougainville Public Service has recommitted to serving with integrity, discipline and professionalism as part of its collective responsibility to strengthen Bougainville’s readiness for nationhood in 2026.

The commitment was reinforced during the ABG Public Service Dedication Mass held today at the United Church in Hutjena, Buka, under the theme “Integrity in Service, Strength in Nationhood”, with addresses delivered by ABG Chief Secretary Kearnneth Nanei, Minister for Public Service Hon. Thomas Pata’aku, and ABG President Hon. Ishmael Toroama.

ABG President Hon. Ishmael Toroama in his keynote address, described the dedication mass as a moment for redirection and recommitment to the values that must underpin an emerging nation.

“We stand before God and before one another to acknowledge the sacred responsibility entrusted to us to build a strong, accountable and morally grounded Bougainville,” he said.

President Toroama reiterated that Bougainville has entered a decisive phase – one that demands complete resetting of Bougainville’s public administration and governance culture, adding that it is more than policy reform or restructuring.

“It is a call for disciplined service, ethical leadership, personal accountability, time management, integrity and a consistent culture of excellence across the entire public sector,” he said.

Toroama called for public servants to use our guiding frameworks - the Bougainville Strategic Development Plan, the National Building Strategy and the Bougainville Vision 2052 as blueprints but added that the public service is the engine that must drive this blueprint forward.

“If we cannot restore discipline, reliability and professionalism within our own ranks, no strategic plans will ever deliver the results our people expect,” he said.

President Toroama reiterated the call for improved performance and professional conduct, calling all public servants to be compliant with laws and systems, deliver results aligned with ABG plans (blueprints), discipline in attendance and punctuality, confidentiality and ethical conduct, public service neutrality and have zero tolerance for corruption.

ABG Chief Secretary Kearnneth Nanei echoed the same call, emphasizing that the dedication service called for all public servants to embrace a renewed spirit of commitment and ethical leadership, and to take personal responsibility in how to serve within the Bougainville Public Service.

“I urge all public servants to listen carefully to government directions and guidance, and to actively contribute to nation-building within your respective roles. We must continually seek better ways to perform our duties, improve service delivery and to achieve meaningful outcomes,” he said.

ABG Minister for Public Service Hon. Thomas Pata’aku shared similar sentiments saying that the dedication service was a reminder that public service is not merely an occupation, but a sacred trust entrusted to each public servant by God, by the people and by future generations of Bougainville.

“As we step into 2026, we do so under the theme ‘Integrity in Service, Strength in Nationhood’ – this theme is a call to action, the strength of Bougainville as a nation will rise from the integrity, discipline and professionalism of each public servant. Together we are the architects of our nation’s future,” he said.

Minister Pata’aku reminded the public servants that nationhood is not built by words alone, but through strong institutions and consistent ethical service.

“The Bougainville Public Service stands at the very heart of this journey. Every action we take, every decision we make, shapes the credibility of the government, the confidence of our people and our readiness to assume full responsibilities of nationhood,” he said.

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