Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says there will be more scrutiny of the Public Service with restoration of the Office of the Office of Chief Secretary to Government.
He said this today (Monday, December 19, 2022) when announcing the appointment of Secretary of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, Ivan Pomaleu, as Chief Secretary to Government to heads of departments and agencies, as well as several ministers and MPs at the Parliament State Function Room.
This is after reestablishment of the position after passage of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council (Amendment) Bill by Parliament last month.
Parliament unanimously passed the bill after introduction by PM Marape.
The position of ‘Chief Secretary to Government’ held by Isaac Lupari was abolished in 2020 and replaced with the position of ‘Secretary for Prime Minister and National Executive Council’ held by Pomaleu.
“After three years of trialing a flatter public service structure, we had to admit that we needed to restore back the Office of Chief Secretary,” PM Marape said.
“When we came together to form this Government on Loloata, one of the key resolutions was the restoration of the Office of Chief Secretary.
“We’ve made that amendment, and by law, we’ve revived the Office of Chief Secretary.
“This Office is fully restored and the Secretary for Prime Minister and NEC, Ivan Pomaleu, will now assume the full responsibility of the Chief Secretary to Government.”
PM Marape said Chief Secretary Pomaleu would ensure that the Public Service was effectively functioning and heads of departments and agencies were delivering according to Key Result Areas.
“I want to appeal to each and every one of you to do what is right for the country,” he said.
“As we are privileged to have been given this opportunity by our people, we need to rise above petty issues, personal interests, fortnight pay, and see the next generation.”
PM Marape said all heads of departments and agencies would be required to furnish their annual reports by March 31, 2023.
“Lack of reporting is an offence that will see termination of department heads,” he warned.
“For so long, we’ve been operating in a modus-operandi where reporting has not been an important part, however, the Office of Chief Secretary this time will be different from the past.
“The Office of Chief Secretary in the past was only running the prime minister’s agenda, however, this will not be the case this time as the Office of Chief Secretary will run a national agenda.
“Key Result Areas will be the benchmark upon which your performance is assessed.”
PM Marape announced that early next year, Government would be introducing the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 4 and all departments should dovetail their plans into MTDP4.
This encapsulated the Pangu Pati vision, including the Loloata Understanding between leaders to better the economy, education, health, infrastructure and law-and-Justice sector.
