By CHRISTOPHER YANDAWAI
AMBASSADOR Ivan Pomaleu is now the new Secretary to the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council (PM & NEC).
Pomaleu was appointed by the National Executive Council and was officially announced by the PM James Marape on the 13th of December, 2020.
Prime Minister James Marape officially welcomed him to resume his position on Monday 4th January, 2021.
This formalized the abolishment of Chief Secretary position held by Isaac Lupari over the last 20 years to a new flattened position as Secretary to the Department of PM & NEC.
PM Marape said the Chief Secretary’s position was abolished to create a thinner and flatter public service structure to ensure secretaries of each department report to their ministers and cabinet directly.
“This was part of my government’s reform agenda in the public service structure that focuses on cutting down too many offices in Central Government to ensure Waigani becomes lighter thus shift public service to rural areas, provinces and districts,” PM Marape said.
Marape however, explained that the abolishing of Chief Secretary’s position does not affect the Department’s standing as premium Department of the Government.
“The Secretary of this Department still remains the Chairman of the Central Agency and Coordination Committee.”
PM Marape commended the outgoing Chief Secretary, Isaac Lupari for his undivided service to the government for the last 20 years.
Secretary Pomaleu thanked PM Marape and his Department’s senior public servants for the warm welcome.
“I am humbled for being given the opportunity to head this Department, and look forward to working with and learning from everyone during his tenure,” Pomaleu said.
He also acknowledged Lupari for leading the Department of PM & NEC and other departments with high esteem for many years.
Meanwhile, PM Marape thanked all the PM & NEC staff for their continual commitment in delivering results for the benefit of the country in year 2020 despite many challenges.
PM Marape however, urged not only PM & NEC staff but all public servants to continue to be committed to their duties and responsibilities and deliver results for better PNG going forward.
“We must ask ourselves what we can do for our country and not what we always expect the government, politicians and country can do for us,” PM Marape said.