Minister Abel was accompanied by the National Planning department’s Acting Secretary Juliana Kubak, WNB Governor Sasindran Muthuvel and staff from the department.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by the leaders of the Autonomous Bougainville Government at the Buka airport.
Mr Abel paid a courtesy visit to the office of ABG President John Momis where in his address; President Momis welcomed Minister Abel, saying the visit gave great confidence to the people of Bougainville, in knowing that the national government is keen to help rebuild the island.
Momis further added that people have always questioned the ABG government and national government’s prospect of improving people’s life; and said that political agendas must be weeded out to allow and see service delivered to the people.
Minister Abel said that the Bougainville crises had made brought about immense suffering and now was the time to bring back important services such as telecommunication, road networks, education and health.
He said he in the AROB to build dialog and strengthen the national government’s commitment to helping restore the lives of Bougainvilleans through service delivery, infrastructure development and in rebuilding Bougainville to its former glory.
Mr Abel then proceeded to open the Bougainville Disaster Office. The office is now open after being closed for over 30years.
The office will be the region’s centre to coordinate, monitor, facilitate and prepare the people in times of disaster and on the appropriate actions to take when disasters strike.