Lupari appointment step in right direction

 THE O’Neill Government has made the right decision by appointing the country’s top bureaucrats for the Chief Secretary’s position. 

Ambassador Isaac Lupari appointment is a further demonstration of the Government’s seriousness in maintaining stability in the bureaucracy amid these tough economic times. 

Lupari is well versed with the public service system and government policies in both his past and present capacities. 

There is no better person then Lupari during this tough period because it is imperative that government must align the public service to deliver its objectives under challenging financial circumstances. 

Hence, this appointment is a step in the right direction as Lupari will undertake critical sector reforms to maintain an effective public service. Under the reforms Lupari must look at cutting out government agencies that duplicate functions and amalgamate agencies to cut cost and attain efficiency. 

He must review public service recruitment and retrenchment programmes and review public service functions at the provincial and district level. 

Lupari must also review the current public service disciplinary structure and make sure it is simplified to ensure public servants are held fully accountable of their actions, inactions and failures. 

He must start from the top down so it will change public servants working culture and instill discipline. 

Being a public servant is not a right but it is a privilege because of the economic benefits it provides. 

All public servants are dispensable therefore must demonstrate exceptional competence to retain their employment. 

Basic discipline like using government vehicles after public service hours must be tighten starting from the top down. 

Such is timely because there is no better time to do it then now when every government toea counts to survive the deficit. 

Lupari must also be aware that there are many service providers engaged by various government departments that are still awaiting their payments for services rendered. 

This is a very serious issue that shows the break down between sector agencies and the government procurement system therefore needs to be reviewed as well. 

Service providers are businesses therefore must be paid on time to continue doing businesses and being denied by sector agencies of timely payments reflects a government that is not sensitive. 

These are few things I believe that Lapari can look into and swiftly address to maintain the people’s confidence in this government. 

I commend O’Neill and his government for having the faith and confidence to appoint him to this key position. 

Samson Wena

Kerowagi, Chimbu