News and Public Notices

The latest from across Bougainville

ABG endorses 20-Year Bougainville Transport Master Plan

The Bougainville Executive Council (BEC) has officially endorsed a 20-year Bougainville Transport Master Plan, setting a clear path for the region’s future infrastructure development.

As part of the endorsement, the BEC also approved the renaming of the Department of Technical Services to the Department of Infrastructure and Utilities (DIU).

ABG Chief Secretary Kearnneth Nanei said the new name signals a strategic realignment to better position the Department to lead the implementation of the Transport Master Plan towards nation-building.

Speaking on the Transport Master Plan, Mr Nanei said it is designed to guide the rehabilitation, improvement, and expansion of Bougainville’s transport network over the next two decades.

“This Master Plan brings together our goals and aspirations for transport in Bougainville and sets a clear direction for meeting both current and future needs,” Mr Nanei said.

He explained that the Plan addresses several longstanding challenges, including limited funding, aging and deteriorating assets, weak inter-agency coordination, and risks from natural hazards such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and floods. It also builds on current and committed projects as a base for future capital investment and regular maintenance.

“This integrated approach ensures that both existing projects and new developments work together to build a transport system that is reliable, efficient, and sustainable for our people,” Mr Nanei added.

Acting Secretary for the Department of Infrastructure and Utilities, Fiona Levi, said the Plan will be implemented in four stages over 20 years, with a strong focus on improving access and connectivity, enabling economic growth, and strengthening climate resilience and disaster preparedness.

She added that a robust prioritization process—using multi-criteria analysis—has been built into the Plan to ensure maximum impact from investments in terms of connectivity, resilience, and economic return.

“The Bougainville Transport Master Plan is a critical enabler of our development ambitions, providing a framework for working strategically with the National Government and development partners,” Ms Levi said.

The development of the Plan is aligned with Bougainville Vision 2052, the region’s long-term development strategy. Following the launch of Vision 2052, all sectors of government have been tasked with creating long-term plans to help achieve the Vision’s goals.

Chief Secretary Nanei acknowledged the collaborative efforts involved in the Transport Master Plan’s development and commended all stakeholders for their contributions.

“I want to sincerely thank all stakeholders – the Department of Infrastructure and Utilities, other government agencies, and our development partners who contributed to the development of this critical master plan. Your collaboration has made this possible,” Mr Nanei said.

The endorsement of the Bougainville Transport Master Plan reflects the Executive Government’s commitment to responsible, long-term infrastructure investment and economic development for the people of Bougainville.

[ Back to News ]