Lupari secures top job

 ISAAC Lupari is the new Chief Secretary to the Government.

Lupari, the Chief of Staff at the Prime Minister’s Office, will replace Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc, who is retiring from the public service this month.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said Lupari had the experience and capability needed to guide the Government in the face of a challenging global environment, and to advance reforms implemented by Sir Manasupe.

He said it was the most important position in the public service, and Lupari would be “instrumental in taking the Government to the next level in a changing global economy”.

He said Lupari had served diligently as the Chief of Staff in the PM’s office and also served as a Chief Secretary.

“Our country, like many other commodity-exporting nations, has to deal with a number of challengers and we need ongoing strong leadership in the Government bureaucracy,” he said. “There is a lot of work that needs to be done to ensure the ongoing delivery of services to our people, and Ambassador Lupari’s appointment will serve the nation in that capacity.”

O’Neill thanked Sir Manasupe for his leadership of the public service.

“Leaders of the caliber of Sir Manasupe are rare and it has been an honour to work with this outstanding Papua New Guinean,” O’Neill said.

“Sir Manasupe has been both a strong leader and also a role model for the men and women of the public service who work under his direction.

“I thank Sir Manasupe for his commitment to Papua New Guinea and the reforms that he has delivered for the Government.”