A 21-day voyage to the remote atoll islands of Bougainville has delivered crucial services to some of the region’s most isolated communities, thanks to a strong partnership between the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and the governments of Australia and New Zealand.
The islands of Ta’aku (Mortlock), Nuguria (Fead), Tulun (Carterets), Nukumanu (Tasman), and Nissan Island, located 200 to 500km from Buka, face significant challenges accessing essential services. Islanders often have to make long, treacherous sea voyages to reach Buka, enduring high fuel costs. To address these difficulties, the ABG chartered the MV Athan Spirit through the Community Government Institutional Strengthening Project (CGISP), enabling the safe transport of public servants and delivery of essential supplies.
A key highlight of the voyage was the distribution of solar light kits to over 3,000 households across the islands. For many residents, the introduction of solar lighting marked a transformative shift in daily life. Ms Imelda Kali, chairlady of the Tulun Community Government, expressed the community’s joy. “Every household in Tulun now has solar lights. They help our children study at night and make household tasks like cooking and weaving easier. The best thing is that solar lighting is free, and we no longer need to buy fuel.”
In addition to lighting, 25 water tanks were delivered to the islands under the Bougainville Community Grants Scheme (BCGS). The scheme, another partnership between the ABG and the Australian and New Zealand governments, supports local communities in identifying and implementing development projects.
The voyage served as a one-stop shop for essential service delivery, with teams from various ABG departments, civil society, and the private sector providing healthcare, education, law and order awareness, and disaster relief. Health services, including eye clinics and immunisations, were provided, while schools received curriculum updates and supplies.
Chief Siwa Tukiteata of Ta’aku expressed deep gratitude: “The faraway distance between our islands and the lack of regular shipping services mean we are disadvantaged. We are delighted with the assistance that has brought solar lights and other essential services to our villages.”
This partnership is a testament to the collaboration between the ABG, Australia, and New Zealand in bringing vital services to some of the most remote communities in Bougainville.
Meanwhile, Bougainville’s atolls are addressing severe water shortages with new desalination plants from Australia. These plants, capable of producing over 3,000 litres of clean water daily, are a lifeline for communities lacking freshwater resources. The project, led by the Bougainville government in partnership with local contractor DNF Engineering, is crucial given the region’s reliance on rainfall for drinking water and the increasing unpredictability caused by climate change.
(From the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby and news reports)
