IRC, Customs challenged

CHIEF Secretary Isaac Lupari says the successful delivery of the 2018 national budget is in the hands of the PNG Customs and Internal Revenue Commission.
During a visit to the PNG Customs office, Lupari encouraged its officers to deliver more on revenue collection.
“The Government wouldn’t have delivered its policies, programmes and basic services to our people if you and the IRC did not deliver the projected revenue in the 2018 money plan,” Lupari said.
“You and the IRC are the most important government agencies in the public service.”
He said the entire government and the service delivery system depended on the performance of Customs and the IRC.
Lupari said the Government had increased the 2018 budget for Customs by 32 per cent and IRC by 45 per cent.
“In addition, in the past three years, the Government has approved the recruitment of additional staff, including investment in capacity and skills upgrading,” Lupari said.
“There should be no excuses.
“There should be no slackness.
“The Government and people expect returns on their investments.
“I challenge all of us to work together as a team, and as a family to ensure that expected returns are delivered.”