Customs gets HR functions

 CUSTOMS Service can now administer its human resources functions rather than going through the government’s Personnel Management Department.

Department acting secretary Chris Kabauru officially handed over the instruments of delegation of powers to Customs Commissioner Ray Paul in Port Moresby last week. 

This means that Customs can now address staff shortage issues faster than before. 

With the devolution of powers, all human resources functions will be administered by the Customs human resource section in consultation with the department rather than being centred exclusively on the department, which, in the past proved to be a cumbersome process. 

This is set to elevate efficiency in the recruitment process as well as other human resources considerations for the organisation.  

This empowers Paul, who has been vested with specific devolution powers, to administer all human resource functions, including the recruitment matters.

Paul thanked the department for endorsing Customs as one of the five successful organisations out of nine other government departments and provincial administrations that lodged requests for approval for the devolution of powers. 

“This is a very positive move. 

“Thank you for seeing our need because we have 53% manpower producing an output of 74% of our work plan for the month of May, 2013,” he said.

“With this delegation of powers, manpower issues faced by Customs will be addressed within the next couple of months and will enhance our performance and productivity in terms of our core roles of border protection, trade facilitation and revenue collection.” 

Paul said while Customs aimed to follow all stipulated guidelines, he urged the department to step in and help when the need arose.

Kabauru said the department had been monitoring the progress of Customs for a while and considered it qualified and ready to accept the responsibilities. 

“But be careful of abuse of power because the department is always there to monitor your work to ensure all things are done correctly,” he said.