Accounting system facing teething issues

Finance Minister James Marape says the Integrated Finance Management System (IFMS) has replaced the old PNG Government Accounting System (PGAS).
Marape, responding to Rabaul MP Dr Allan Marats’s question on the IFMS system affecting service delivery in the provinces , said as the system was being rolled out it was experiencing some “teething problems”.
He said the Government was looking at keeping up with technology and IFMS was part of that progress.
“We, as a Government are in the middle of phasing out the PGAS system on which the Government has been riding for the last 30 years and bring in the IFMS for our country.
“As we speak, most of our central agencies and our main Government departments based out of Port Moresby have rolled over into the IFMS system.
“We have trialed provincial government systems and East New Britain is the first province in the New Guinea Islands region.
“We are seeking to bring the IFMS system.
“I noted that we have teething issues.
“The problems relate to communications.
“The problems and reliability of the use of the Digicel network and the internet are being worked on.
“I will instruct my department to ensure that these problems and are not delayed or stopped.”
Marape said Pomio in East New Britain was working reliably because the district had made direct intervention.
The data compatibility was upgraded and they were using the satellite system there.
“PGAS system is an old system that was bought into the country in 1980.
“While we used PGAS, the world has moved past 30 years, using latest technologies like internet in the digital age.
“We have remained stagnant with PGAS.
“Our Government is committed to ensure that we have modernised Government financial accounting systems.
“The use of IFMS will ensure that quick-time transactions take place.
“We will make sure our banking financial systems, as well as the central agencies, are communicating with us for us to disburse funds as well as supervise what is happening in provinces.”