The ChIef Secretary of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), Mr. Kearneth Nanei described the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the ABG Department of Primary Industry and the PNG Forestry Authority (PNGFA) as “historic and significant,” marking a formal commitment to the transfer of key powers and functions to Bougainville under the ongoing autonomy arrangements.
Speaking on behalf of the ABG delegation during the signing in Port Moresby, Mr Nanei commended the PNGFA Managing Director Mr John Mosoro and his executive team for his leadership and support in progressing the transfer of forestry-related responsibilities to the region.
“We sincerely thank you for making your time available to meet with us,” Nanei said. “On behalf of the President, the Autonomous Bougainville Government, and the people of Bougainville, we are grateful for this momentous occasion.”
The meeting marked a pivotal moment in the broader transfer of powers under the constitutional framework of Papua New Guinea, specifically the implementation of Schedules 1 and 2 of the Memorandum of Understanding between the national government and the ABG.
Nanei emphasized on technical capacity, institutional arrangements, structured cooperation, and ongoing collaboration as the foundation of the successful implementation of Bougainville’s forestry powers.
“This partnership represents the first time a national agency has agreed to relinquish some of its powers to a sub-national government. It is not just symbolic—it empowers Bougainville to sustainably manage its own forestry resources,” he said.
Reflecting on Bougainville’s past, Nanei noted hard-learned lessons from past resource extraction ventures and called for a more responsible and inclusive model of development going forward.
“We had a very bad experience in terms of resource development, and in terms of mining, in terms of forestry sector, the experience that we’ve gone through has taught us a lot in terms of how resources are extracted and benefits are received,” he explained.
“And we can say that the experience that we have gone through has really taught the national government and the independent state of Papua New Guinea and the rest of us lessons that we have to be delicate in dealing with resource owners, landowners, and other people in the community. So, with those lessons learned, we take this transfer of forestry powers and functions that’s very significant and historic. So, this is a historic occasion, and we are privileged and honoured to be with you and your very senior management team witnessing this occasion.”
“And we can say that the experience that we have gone through has really taught the national government and the independent state of Papua New Guinea and the rest of us lessons that we have to be delicate in dealing with resource owners, land owners, and other people in the community. So, with those lessons learned, we take this transfer of forestry powers and functions that’s very significant and historic. So, this is a historic occasion, and we are privileged and honoured to be with you and your very senior management team witnessing this occasion.”
He reaffirmed ABG’s commitment to entering into the agreement and called on the PNGFA in helping Bougainville develop the necessary human resources and institutional frameworks to manage its forestry sector.
“Some of the experts have come to tell us that in autonomy implementation, there is no road. You build a road as you walk. So, this joint partnership, cooperation that we are building together will be the part in terms of empowering the Bougainvillians, the ABG to build up their capacity in terms of manpower, but also the regulatory institution that is going to be required to effectively manage and administer the forestry powers and functions in the autonomous region of Bougainville.”