Juffa looks to continue reforms

By HELEN TARAWA
NORTHERN Governor-elect Gary Juffa says important reforms are needed to build a robust public service in Papua New Guinea.
Juffa said that a permanent parliamentary committee was needed to oversee these vital reforms.
“We intend to continue the work on the reforms for the public service so it can deliver to the satisfaction of the people,” he said after his declaration.
Juffa said three provinces had been earmarked for these reforms, East Sepik, Northern and Central.
“We will be piloting reforms in these provinces first and then we will select State-Owned-Enterprises (SOE) and a public service department and testing those reforms with assistance from our development partners,” he said.
“They are enthusiastic and on standby and they have been assisting us with technical advice and we are confident that they will also assist us with resources.”
Juffa said the public sector consists of the public service, the SOE, the disciplined forces and the national security apparatus.
He said in the last three years, they had developed a road map with assistance from the Australian, New Zealand and US governments.
“We now have a road map as to where and how we will get to where it is that we ought to be,” the 50-year-old said.
“Prime Minister James Marape is supportive of this and I’m confident that this work will continue.
“Reforms into the public sector must be consistent, continuous and constant.
“We want to have a permanent parliament committee created for this to oversee this vital reforms that will build a robust public sector.”