The PNG Ministry for Community Development Youth and Religion and Autonomous Bougainville Government Minister for Community Development and his Technical Team held a mandatory meeting to fast track the transfer of powers and functions to the ABG Ministry for Community Development on Friday in Port Moresby.
The Autonomous Bougainville Government being the custodian of the drawdown of Powers and Functions coordinates the process through the ABG Department of Community Development in close consultation with the National Department for Community Development Youth and Religion.
The drawdown of powers and functions was issued in recognition to section 295 of the National Constitution “Dispensation of Constitutional Requirement relating to the Process of Transfer of functions and powers” as agreed in Bougainville Peace Agreement 2001 and the SHARP Agreement 2021. The Joint Community Development Ministerial meeting further reaffirms commitment and gives immediate effect through a joint ministerial directive to accelerate the implementation of transfer of functions and powers to ABG Ministry and its Department of Community Development forthwith.
ABG Minister for Community Development, Moris Opeti present during the occasion acknowledged the efforts put forth from the joint technical team in being able to come up with a Joint Ministerial Implementation plan 2022 – 2025 and the Joint Ministerial Statement.
Minister Opeti said being a first timer in the ABG political arena and to take up this ministerial portfolio is a mammoth task especially in-regards to the draw down of its 290 powers.
He urged to work closely with the technical team to fully understand each of the ministerial agencies roles and its administrative functions in a cordial fashion and to ensure the remaining draw-downs are completed within the agreed timeframes.
NYDA Director General, Mr. Joe Itaki alluded the functions and powers transferred is a living document and all responsible agencies within the Ministry for Youth, Religion and Community Development must commit to making the draw-downs happen. He further said everyone must be on transfer mode now and beyond.
The Joint Technical Team comprised of senior technical officers from ABG Department of Community Development, Department for Community Development and Religion, Civil Registry, Censorship, National Youth Development Authority and Child and Family Services.
The two department Secretaries will Co-Chair the Joint Technical Team and they both will report to their respective Ministers both for ABG and the National Government.
The Joint Ministerial Statement was signed by the Minister for Community Development ABG, Hon. Moris Opeti MP and National Minister for the Department of Youth, Religion and Community Development Hon. Jason Peter MP,
National Department for Community Development and Religion Secretary, Mr. Jerry Ubase and ABG Department of Community Development Secretary Mrs Mana Kakarouts.
The two Ministers with their department secretaries will further sign a Memorundum Of Agreement before end of November 2022 to cement their commitments to implement responsibilities outlined in the Joint Implementation Plan 2022 – 2025.
Participants witnessing the signing are ABG Community Development Secretary, Mrs Mana Kakarouts, Director Mr Karaho Siwa and Manager Mandatory and Special Services Mr Desmond Ponpon, NYDA Director General, Mr. Joe Itaki and senior staff, Civil Registry Registra General, Mr. Dickson Kiragi and Deputy Registra, Department for Community Development and Religion Secretary Mr Jerry Ubase, Deputy Secretary Ms Nancy Kavop and senior staff, Chief Censor Mr Abane and senior staff from Censorship Office and Child and Family Welfare Service CEO Mr Wap