Apeo Fuata Sione was sworn in today as the Chairman of the Public Services Commission (PSC) for a second term.
Mr Sione’s initial term as chairman ended on 31 March 2026, after which the PSC appointments committee re-appointed him for a second five-year term.
The swearing-in ceremony was officiated at Government House by the Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, marking the beginning of a renewed term focused on strengthening PSC’s constitutional mandate and advancing meaningful public sector reform.
Mr Sione said that his second term as Chairman will be defined by a strong and deliberate focus on institutional reform and transformation, anchored in the PSC Corporate Plan 2024-2028.
“This second term is about consolidating our achievements, confronting our challenges head-on, and transforming the Commission into a stronger, more effective institution that delivers real results for PNG,” he said.
“Our goal is clear: to build a public service that is professional, accountable and trusted.”
Reflecting on the commission’s performance, Mr Sione said that despite significant operational and resource constraints, the PSC had continued to faithfully discharge its constitutional mandate without fear or favor, ensuring fairness, transparency, and merit-based decision-making across the public service.
He added that PSC was committed to ensuring that public servants had access to a credible and independent avenue for redress, while reinforcing professionalism and discipline across government institutions.
The chairman acknowledged the ongoing challenges facing the commission, including funding constraints, delays in the release of government warrants, capacity limitations within key divisions, and logistical difficulties in delivering services across the country.
He said the challenges had affected operational efficiency, delayed case processing, and limited the Commission’s ability to fully implement critical initiatives such as digital transformation systems.
Mr Sione urged public servants to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and commitment, emphasizing that the responsibility of building a stronger public service rested with leaders and public servants.
“Together, we must build a public service that is fair, accountable, and responsive to the needs of our people,” he said.