The Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O'Neill CMG MP, has assured the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) that it has the National Government’s ongoing full support.

PM O’Neill said the government would continue to work closely with the ABG to address ongoing challenges and enhance future opportunities in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB).

He made these remarks during the meeting of the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) in Arawa, Bougainville, recently.

"This is a historic day as a meeting like this would not have been possible in Bougainville many years ago.

“This meeting today marks a new level of cooperation, particularly in addressing outstanding issues, resolving them and moving forward together,” PM O’Neill said.

"The National Government fully supports the ABG and our priority is to effectively deliver services to the people of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea as a whole.

"Our people deserve the best outcomes in our obligation to improving living standards for people on Bougainville.

PM O’Neill thanked the AROB President, John Momis, for his warm welcome and willingness to work together for the future.

"We all know there are many challenges ahead of us for Bougainville, for our nation and for our region, and these can be overcome when we work together.”

The Prime Minister said the National Government is working to draw down or transfer powers to Bougainville to increase service delivery at a local level.

"Outstanding matters such as the Peace Agreement, Special Intervention Fund, Provincial SIP, District SIP and Local Level SIP funding are being resolved.”

The comprehensive agenda of the meeting further included taxation issues and grants including the local level service improvement program.

The meeting was concluded by Prime Minister O’Neill and ABG President Momis signing a joint resolution.

(L-R) Autonomous Bougainville Government President, John Momis with Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O'Neill CMG MP at Aropa Airport in Bougainville.

(L-R) Autonomous Bougainville Government President, John Momis with Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O'Neill CMG MP being welcomed by a cultural group

(L-R) Autonomous Bougainville Government President, John Momis with Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O'Neill CMG MP at the meeting.

(L-R) Autonomous Bougainville Government President, John Momis with Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O'Neill CMG MP reaffirming commitment's made under the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) in Arawa.

Acting Police Commissioner Andrews condemns attack on Jiwaka PPC Tondop

Acting Police Commissioner Jim Andrews today condemned the attack on Jiwaka Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Joseph Tondop and demanded village leaders to immediately surrender the attackers.

The Highlands Deputy Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Jimmy Onopia, PPC Tondop and their policemen were set upon by villagers at 10 am this morning during a meeting in which Mr Tondop was physically assaulted and a number of police vehicles badly damaged.

“This is totally unacceptable,” Acting Commissioner Andrews said, adding that the villagers have until Wednesday March 03 to hand in the trouble makers.

“I appeal to the village leaders to identify the attackers and bring them to police to be arrested and charged accordingly. The attack is uncalled for. Mr Onopia and Mr Tondop went in good faith to meet the people to hear their petitions following the death of a man in police custody when they were attacked by villagers.

“For the information of the public, especially the people of Jiwaka, we sent three police investigators from Port Moresby to Jiwaka and since then we have arrested and charged four policemen and one civilian for the death of the man in police custody.

“Contrary to what the people are saying we have been taking, we are taking and we will be taking action against policemen who take the law into their own hands. This is the people’s police force. The RPNGC exists to protect and serve the people of Papua New Guinea and we will swiftly remove any member of the force who is a threat to the public. They will be dealt with through the administrative discipline process and they will be charged criminally as well if needed.

“The attack on Mr Tondop is unwarranted and the assailants must be apprehended and charged,” Acting Commissioner Andrews said.

Meanwhile, Mr Andrews said contrary to what a number of critics have publicly stated, Police are taking action against rogue policemen especially over recent alleged police shootings. He said there is no cover-up and all policemen who break the law will face the full force of the law.

Acting Commissioner Andrews said one policeman has been arrested and charged with willful murder over the killing of Lae women Moanna Pisima. Another policeman has been arrested and charged with willful murder of a Tatana man. Another alleged police shooting in Wewak is completed and charges are expected to be laid within the next few days.

As for the Hanuabada shooting where two men were allegedly shot and killed by police, Acting Commissioner Andrews said the investigation was frustrated because witnesses are not coming forward to give their statements.

“What we have heard is that there was a disagreement between the Hanuabada people over the sharing of “Haus krai” monies paid out to the families of the two men who were killed and since then no-one has come forward to give statements.

“The ball is in their court, not the police. We are serious about removing rogue elements who do not respect life and property. We want to identify them and have them charged both administratively and criminally. So I am once again appealing to the villagers to come forward and give your statements.

“Also, as a proactive measure to stop further killings the police top management issued directives for all high powered weapons to be removed and locked away in armories across the nation. We have also directed that all policemen return to the classrooms for training on standard operating procedures with regards to the use of firearms as well as the rules of engagement.

“It is only after such training that weapons will be reissued to selected non-commissioned officers or commissioned officers,” Acting Commissioner Andrews concluded.

PM O’Neill: Government is Empowering Grassroots to Advance the Nation

The Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O’Neill CMG MP, said the Government is changing Papua New Guinea for the better by empowering grassroots men, women and children of the nation. 
He made these remarks when launching the Nipa/Kutubu District Five Year Development Plan 2013-2017 at the Nipa Government Station in Southern Highlands Province yesterday.
PM O’Neill said the right policies from the most effective Government in the history of the nation was enabling people to improve their lives. 
“This government is investing in districts, provinces and ward councils, which is taking service delivery to the people of our rural areas. Grassroots people know what is needed in their areas and they must be included in decision-making processes.
“Now councilors, village magistrates and court officers are funded by the Government, and this consistency facilitates leadership and decision-making at the local level.
“We will continue to strengthen the public service from the districts up to the national level.”
The Prime Minister said the government is building new public servants’ houses, cleaning up problems in the law and order system, and providing opportunities for children to be educated and families to have access to healthcare.
“Provinces are now receiving almost three billion kina each year for key impact projects. This is the first time in history of this country,” PM O’Neill said.
“For 40 years governments looked around for money as if we were one of the poorest countries in the world. Papua New Guinea had to beg for money from the International Monetary Fund, the Word Bank and countries like Australia.
“Now we have enough revenue, and we have proper management of how we spend this revenue for our people.
“Previously governments also put billions of Kina into trust accounts – but where has all this money gone? This must have been either stolen or mismanaged on so many bogus projects. These bogus projects were never delivered but were still needed in the country.
“Now you can look around and see the new projects being rolled out before your eyes.”
The launch was a memorable day for the people of Nipa/Kutubu, who gathered in thousands to witness the long-awaited occasion despite ongoing wet weather.
The Nipa/Kutubu District Five Year Development Plan 2013-2017 enables the local level government to follow a roadmap, aligned with Papua New Guinea Vision 2050, that is aimed at enhancing ongoing development in the district.
Accompanying the Prime Minister, were senior ministers including Works Minister, Hon. Francis Awesa MP, and Finance Minister, Hon. James Marape MP. 

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill (front) accompanied by Francis Awesa MP, and Finance Minister, Hon. James Marape MP

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill inspecting a guard of honor of the Royal PNG Constabulary in Nipa/Kutubu, Southern Highlands province

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill addressing people in the Nipa/Kutubu,
Southern Highlands province

District Development Authority is home grown

The District Development Authority is very much home grown.

Chief Secretary to Government Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc made this statement in his opening remarks at the District Development Authority Workshop held on March 2nd in Lae.
The workshop was for Provincial Administrators, District Administrators and Local Level Government Presidents for Eastern Highlands, Morobe and Madang Provinces.
Sir Manasupe said the DDA is home grown based on experiences of 40 years of service delivery.
“It is based on the experiences of Prime Minister Hon Peter O’Neill while growing up in Pangia,” Sir Manasupe said.
Secretary for Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Mr. Munare Uyassi said the districts already have the powers to bring services down to the district level.

   Chief Secretary to Government Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc

He said the District Development Authority Act now gives them the statutory power they need to make things work. 
Mr. Uyassi said DDA is not a new thing; it is what people have been asking for.
“It is about localized, accessible service delivery at short turnaround time.”
“We need political and bureaucratic will and the Act requires them to work together.”
Secretary for Department of Personal Management Mr. John Kali said DDA is the vehicle for public servants to use to deliver services that they are normally unable to deliver on.
He said it is through leadership and ownership that services can be delivered.
“Services are not delivered to where it is needed due to no leadership,” Mr. Kali said.
“Public servants need to take ownership and lead in service delivery.”
Sir Manasupe said the District Development Authority is the best possible opportunity to build our villagers and deliver services.
He also acknowledged the District Administrators of Morobe and the Provincial Administrator of East New Britain Province for their contributions to the development of the legislation that enables the DDA.