Joseph Nobetau, the newly appointed Chief Secretary to the Autonomous Bougainville Government has been sworn-in.
The new Chief Secretary takes over from Paul Kebori, who remained acting in that position.
The Autonomous Region’s President, Chief John Momis, has thanked his predecessor, for holding office for the last eleven months during a time when the ABG had faced immense tribulations from the national government.
After being sworn-into office, President, Chief Momis challenged,Mr Nobetau to revitalise the Bougainville Public Service.
“We have to energise ourselves and others through heroic ambition, there is no time to mess around we have to lift the bench mark of the performance of the Bougainville Public Service machinery.
“I am calling on the new Chief Secretary and the Ministers of the ABG to energise the public service, to energise the government, the youths, the marginalised and those that are sitting on the fence and use all kinds of pretexts and excuses not to be part of the team,” Momis said.
Momis said the Chief Secretary and the Autonomous Bougainville Government Ministers must energise the public service to deliver outcomes with a holistic approach and strategy to development.
Collaborative approach is the way forward for qualitative change.
“We have to create a collective leadership to create a forward thrust to make a difference in Bougainville.
“Despite our frustrations the Bougainville Peace Agreement is a document that gives the people of Bougainville the right to determine their future.
“This will create the qualitative change that will engage every Bougainvillean and the leadership must be taken by the political and bureaucratic leaders so that the whole population will feel and know that they are part of this great communal collaborative leadership that will forge something best for future generations,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nobetau says his priority is to build the capacity of the Bougainville Public Service.
His first move is to meet with all departmental heads and discuss some key challenges faced by the government.
It will focus on ways to enhance Bougainville’s current fiscal position.
“I strongly believe in partnership, this extends to working with the President, government, departmental heads as well as our key development and private partners.
“By working together and ensuring we align resources to deliver effective development outcomes we will be better placed to meet the President’s very clear expectations,” he said.
Nobetau has assured the Bougainville leadership that was determined to change current trends and corporate culture, considered dead weight in the public service.
He intends to formulate a new corporate plan for the Bougainville Public Service, to be effective and efficient.
“I look forward to making a significant contribution to the Public Service and working towards ensuring that Bougainville has the capacity to build on and maintain our self-determination well into the future,” Nobetau said.
