Govt finds way to cut public service wage bill

By LUKE KAMAand HELEN TARAWA
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says the Government must find a way to reduce the K4 billion public service wage bill.
Speaking at the leaders’ summit in Port Moresby, O’Neill said public servants who took their positions for granted were being removed.
“We started from the top down, removing people who take their positions for granted, and promoting young Papua New Guineans who have the potential and are willing to work hard for our nation,” he said.
“We are making sure that positions that are no longer relevant are being restructured.”
O’Neill said the public sector was moving forward to embrace new technologies and continuing to enhance transparency.
“These reforms are not only for the government but are also for the provincial governments,” he said.
“Everyone in this room is affected by these reforms. We want you to take the lead in your respective agencies.
“The ultimate winners from these reforms are our people, and the young people who will receive the benefits in generations to come.
“There will be less wasted funds and better delivery of services.
“We will continue to work with the provincial governments in rolling this out,” he said. “Our challenge is also to expand our economic base.
“We must look beyond our traditional way of doing business.
“Natural resources have driven our economy for many years, and we value their contribution.
“But our economy must go to the next level, and take advantage of our enormous potential, particularly in agriculture and in tourism and in small-to-medium enterprises.”