Civil servants expected to deliver

HEADS of all government departments, agencies and statutory bodies are now expected to perform and meet their expected targets.
Prime Minister James Marape did not mince on his expectations telling them to remain focus and not to use the insufficient funds allocated to them as an excuse.
It is time to put the plug to the wastage and leakages in the system.
Departmental heads were told on Monday that all key performance indicators (KPIs) were given to all respective ministers last year.
A KPI is a measurable value that demonstrates how effectively a company is achieving key business objectives.
They should already know what is expected of them.
Ministers, department secretaries and heads of state agencies were asked last July to submit their work report.
And from these reports, KPIs were set and given out.
In this case, it would be the respective department’s performance in achieving the Government’s objective of taking back PNG and gradually making PNG the richest black Christian nation where no child in left behind.
Marape knows all these can be just talks if he does not crack the whip on what he has alluded to and that is complacency.
All KPIs are expected to reaffirm the level of competency in the public service right down to the State-owned enterprises and agencies to get the correct personnel.
And it starts with the departmental heads, senior managers and down to the rank and file.
Public service is the engine room of any country and if it stops functioning, whatever plans any Government has will never be achieved.
Regardless of what’s on the calendar, service to the public should be provided unhindered.
Public servants should focus on implementing the delivery of goods and services as per what is expected.
How they perform their task should be according to their respective departments work ethics.
Work ethics refer to a basic set of moral values associated with the way work is done whatever its nature or status.
Honesty, responsibility, discipline and diligence are values we inculcate in children from an early stage linking these up with performance in school and early childhood tasks.
In adult life, these values should translate into hard work, efficiency, discipline and integrity at the workplace.
This dropped significantly over time which saw criticisms being thrown at public servants.
While talking about the general trend of poor work ethics, we should not lose sight of the fact that there always remains a segment of the workforce that displays a good sense of work ethics.
They do not just believe in but also demonstrate their honesty, integrity and accountability at the workplace.
Hardworking and committed, these people contribute to the country’s progress to the best of their ability.
What we need is for a critical mass to be turned into an expanded labour force with strong work ethics.
This prime minister has been straight warning the respective heads that failing to perform could see them out the door. Laxity will not be tolerated.
The message is simple and clear, shape up and deliver or ship out.
The challenge is now on everyone, especially those entrusted to deliver to not make the same mistake, learn from past experiences and continue to chart and develop a new part for service delivery.
The PNG habit or style of getting things done should stop.