Bougainville
From The Report: Papua New Guinea 2016
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Situated at the eastern-most point of the New Guinea islands and in a different time zone from the rest of Papua New Guinea, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville is composed of two large islands, Buka and Bougainville, separated by a narrow tidal channel. Together with 168 smaller islands and countless atolls, it forms an archipelago that is geographically, geologically and culturally closer to the neighbouring Solomon Islands than to PNG, and its population of over 300,000 speak a dozen different languages. Bougainville’s development needs closely echo PNG’s own growth priorities, with infrastructure, improved services, health care and employment all featuring high on the list. Investors will watch with interest to see how the politics of the region develop in the run-up to the referendum, against a backdrop of untapped minerals and an agriculture sector that could prove to be highly lucrative drivers of growth.

This chapter contains interviews with Joe Lera, Minister of Bougainville Affairs; and Brenda Tohiana, Acting Secretary for Finance, Autonomous Bougainville Government.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

A fresh start: A 2019 referendum on regional autonomy will determine the future political status of Bougainville
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Situated at the eastern-most point of the New Guinea islands and in a different time zone from the rest of Papua New Guinea, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARB) is composed of two large islands, Buka and Bougainville, separated by a narrow tidal channel. Together with over 200 smaller islands and countless atolls, it forms an archipelago which is geographically, geologically and culturally closer to the neighbouring Solomon Islands than to PNG. Bougainville has a population of over…

Interview

The next level: OBG talks to Joe Lera, Minister of Bougainville Affairs
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Interview:Joe Lera How has Bougainville been important for the economic development of Papua New Guinea? JOE LERA: Economically speaking, Bougainville was extremely important during the pre-independence period and contributed much of the revenues that supported the country’s independence. The Panguna mine, which boasts the second-largest copper deposit in the world, accounted for as much as 45% of PNG’s export earnings between 1972 and 1989, but minerals were not the only wealth,…

Overview

Austerity measures: OBG talks to Brenda Tohiana, Acting Secretary for Finance, Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG)
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Interview:Brenda Tohiana To what extent does the ABG have to rely on the national government of Papua New Guinea? BRENDA TOHIANA: The financial arrangements between the two governments are covered under the Organic Law on Peace-Building in Bougainville, as well as in the Bougainville Peace Agreement. There are a number of grants and budget allocations as part of the arrangement, including a conditional grant, which was to comprise a yearly allocation of PGK15m ($5m) to the ABG government.…