DPM transfers HR powers and functions to ABG public service

THE Department of Personnel Management has recently transferred full HR powers and functions to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville’s Public Service.

The transfer of full powers by the Department of Personnel Management to the ABG Public Service was done during a momentous ceremony held in Buka.

Public Service Minister Joe Sungi and DPM Secretary Taies Sansan were in Buka to do the formal handover over the final HR powers to the ABG public service at a small but very significant ceremony.

Public Service Minister Sungi in his keynote address acknowledged the tremendous work by his predecessor leaders (PS Ministers & Secretaries) who began the process and brought it this far.

“I am pleased that through our cooperative working relationship as mandated under the Bougainville Peace Agreement 2001, we have achieved a lot beginning with the creation of the Bougainville Public Service Structure and key human resource management policies, guidelines and processes.

“There remains more work to be done in improving our human resource management practices in both the Bougainville Public Service & the National Public Service and my ministry through DPM is keen in assisting the Bougainville Public Service and the Autonomous Government as a whole,” Sungi said.

The Public Service Ministry begun its support to the Bougainville government since 2012 in assisting the Bougainville Public Service from its transitional stages to the creation of the Public Service proper.

I acknowledge the key achievements resulting in the establishment of the Bougainville Public Service by the Ministry and my department, which includes:

1. Successful transfer of Public Service Functions & Powers to the ABG & Enactment of the Bougainville Public Service Management & Administration Act-2014. This resulted in the absorption of the Public Service Powers and functions to the ABG Public Service.
2. Development of ABG Leaders Pay & Salary Grade structure for the Bougainville Public Service.
3. The Design, documentation, costing and implementation of the ABG Public Service Organization Structures for 14 Departments.
4. The launch and operationalization of the Bougainville Ascender Payroll.
5. Development of the ABG Public Service Management & Administrative Act 2014.
6. Provision of General Technical Advice to the ABG Department of Personnel Management & Administrative Services through DPM’s ABG Desk.
7. Development and Signing of the Unified Overarching Memorandum of Understanding by the Minister for Public Service.
8. The Overarching Memorandum of Understanding on the Drawdown of Powers & Functions 2017.
9. Creation of the Bougainville Referendum Commission and Implementation of the BRC Structure and Remuneration for BRC Commissioners.
10. Appointment of National Government Nominee to the Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee.
11. Reviewed Pay & Salary Grades structure for 2017 – 2019 for the Bougainville Public Service and Implementation of the Flow on of the 3% CPI Salary increase for 2017 –2019.
12. The Implementation of the Sharp Agreement 2021 resulting in the full transfer of powers and functions to ABG, which we witness today.

“On this occasion, which we witness today, the full transfer of powers and functions to the Bougainville Public Service is a another milestone achieved for Bougainville Public Service. However, it comes with its own responsibilities which we must take heed of,” Minister Sungi said.

DPM Secretary Ms Sansan prior to handing over the Instrument of transfer of powers with the remaining powers also echoed the Ministers statements and said DPM will be available to share knowledge and experience. Secretary Sansan said, the Instrument of transfer of powers was signed off in 2012 when seven powers were transferred then. They were; creation of offices, Contract of employment, salaries & allowances, recruitment, in-country training, resignations and miscellaneous.

The final remaining powers which were handed over to mark the full powers being handed over are; issuance of file numbers, compliance of offline payments, retirement and retrenchment and overseas training and scholarship.

“We are also looking to assist in helping you to creating enabling laws and to support other activities that will come on board. We are here ready to support you”.

Ms Sansan highlighted the need for the ABG Public Service to look at the creation of a similar institution like the Public Service Commission. Four final powers were handed over resulting in full HR powers and functions being transferred to the ABG government.