Focus on delivering services

PRIME Minister James Marape has cracked the whip on heads of Government departments and agencies to move Papua New Guinea forward.
The public service is the engine room of any country.
If it stops functioning, whatever plans any Government has will never be achieved.
Regardless of what’s on the calendar, service to the public must be provided unhindered.
The heads of departments and agencies were told that continuation in their job hinges on what they have achieved over the last three years, and their plans for the future, consistent with views of Government.
The fundamental guides such as Vision 2050 and the Eight-Point Plan were already in place to guide heads of departments and agencies and there should be no more excuse for complacency.
Marape said there was no guarantee of public servants continuing their job if they failed to comply by today.
The days of free rides and complacency are over.
Those fail to perform would be removed immediately.
Simply put, public servants especially the departmental heads must focus on implementing the delivery of goods and services.
If it means, putting the plug to the wastage and leakages in the system because of the limited cash it should have been done and continue .
The departmental heads by now should know what they want to achieve and whether they have achieved their target.
In 2019, Marape after announcing his cabinet, issued each minister with key performance indicators to deliver and achieve.
Back then he told the media: “We are now in the process of assembling senior managers in the departments to affirm or remove those who do not perform.
“Every minister will report on what he had discovered in the agency and departments under him.
“We will be reaffirming the level of competency in our public service right down to the state-owned enterprises and agencies to get the correct personnel.
“The level of competency will start with the department heads, senior managers and down to the rank and file.
“We need to match up our thoughts with civil service leaders and we are asking them to respond in writing.”
He sure is taking that path again this time round.
Everyone should remain focused to ensure that simple things like sticking to course-serving measures and annual work plan are followed, and encourage them to stick to compliance and avoid corruption.
Trust is not a thing that one can literally build, break and then rebuild.
Political leaders cannot simply approve a policy and a budget to rebuild trust in the way that we rebuild worn-out infrastructure.
For starters, this government has announced it is focusing on reconstructing the country in the economic and social sector.
Growing the economy as well as ensuring that the structure of government service delivery is reformed, rehabilitated and reconstructed to make it better for us.
The ultimate aim of a government is to safeguard public interest through an efficient and effective governance system that enhances the protection of rights, and demonstrates accountability and integrity in its daily activities and from its public officers.
While management commitment is important, all public officers have a role to play in upholding the authorities’ governance frameworks by following policies and processes and practicing appropriate behaviours.
Change also starts with oneself – you respect the society by living peacefully; respecting each other despite our ethnic differences, political differences, and religious differences. Let us all live together in peace and harmony.
Rather than be too judgmental, Marape should be given the opportunity to show what he and his team are capable of.