Chan: People depend on observatory

 NAMATANAI MP Byron Chan has reminded staff at Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) that thousands of people in depended on what they do.

Chan, who is also Mining minister, was in Rabaul yesterday to witness the signing of management performance agreements for the observatory staff of the department of mineral policy and geo hazards.

He was accompanied by department secretary Shadrach Himata and deputy secretary John Arumba.

Chan said the government had set priorities for each department to make them more responsible, transparent and goals to achieve.

“We have put in necessary legislation to make sure the government is stable for next 30 months and to make the government more active,” he said.

“Each department was tasked to prioritise their projects and we are one of the first departments to implement them.”

The three priority areas are:

The review of mining legislations, policies and development of mining sector policies;

Improvement to geological hazards mapping assessment and monitoring systems in PNG; and

To build a new office complex.

Chan said staff at the observatory must be responsible for improving geological hazards mapping assessment and monitoring systems in 

PNG. 

“RVO may be a small group but it’s a special group as from your dedicated work, thousands of lives in PNG depend on what you do daily and your job is very significant,” he said.

“Don’t underestimate your responsibilities.”