BUKA — The Bougainville Executive Council (BEC) has officially endorsed a 20-year Bougainville Transport Master Plan, setting a clear path for the region’s future infrastructure development and reaffirming its long-term commitment to reliable, inclusive and climate-resilient growth.
As part of the endorsement, the BEC also approved the renaming of the Department of Technical Services to the Department of Infrastructure and Utilities (DIU) — a strategic move aimed at strengthening the Department’s mandate.
ABG Chief Secretary Kearnneth Nanei said the new name signals “a strategic realignment to better position the Department to lead the implementation of the Transport Master Plan towards nation-building.”
Speaking about the Plan’s vision, Mr Nanei said, “This Master Plan brings together our goals and aspirations for transport in Bougainville and sets a clear direction for meeting both current and future needs.”
The Transport Master Plan outlines a two-decade strategy to rehabilitate, improve and expand Bougainville’s transport network. It builds on existing and committed projects while addressing critical issues such as funding constraints, aging infrastructure and weak inter-agency coordination. The region’s vulnerability to natural hazards — including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and floods — is also a key consideration.
“This integrated approach ensures that both existing projects and new developments work together to build a transport system that is reliable, efficient and sustainable for our people,” Mr Nanei said.
Acting Secretary for the Department of Infrastructure and Utilities, Fiona Levi, said the Plan would be implemented in four stages over 20 years with a strong emphasis on improving access, enabling economic growth and building disaster resilience.
“The Plan will be implemented in four stages over 20 years with a strong focus on improving access and connectivity, enabling economic growth and strengthening climate resilience and disaster preparedness,” Ms Levi said.
She added, “A robust prioritisation process — using multi-criteria analysis — has been built into the Plan to ensure maximum impact from investments in terms of connectivity, resilience and economic return.”
Describing the Plan as a foundational development tool, Ms Levi said, “The Bougainville Transport Master Plan is a critical enabler of our development ambitions, providing a framework for working strategically with the National Government and development partners.”
The Plan aligns with Bougainville Vision 2052, the region’s long-term development strategy. Following the launch of the Vision, all government sectors were tasked with formulating long-term plans to help realise its goals.
Mr Nanei acknowledged the shared effort behind the Plan’s formulation. “I want to sincerely thank all stakeholders — the Department of Infrastructure and Utilities, other government agencies and our development partners who contributed to the development of this critical master plan. Your collaboration has made this possible,” he said.
The endorsement of the Bougainville Transport Master Plan, he added, “reflects the Executive Government’s commitment to responsible long-term infrastructure investment and economic development for the people of Bougainville.”
