Nepotism a problem: PM

The National National

By HELEN TARAWA
PRIME Minister James Marape says there are too many wantok and friends employed in the public service, making it difficult to assess their performance.
Marape told public servants at the annual dedication service on Friday that nepotism was a problem.
“It’s either you go or they (your wantoks and friends) go. I ask every one of us that the greatest reform I propose today is contracting public servants to come and work in positions, giving them key performance indicators (KPIs),” he said.
“This is to ensure that we are all earning our KPIs and contributing to sustainable progress of our country and into the future.”
Marape said for the police, Defence Force and Correctional Services, it would be a different arrangement, a discipline and incentive-based approach that would be tailored.
“As we submit and pledge your loyalty to God and our country in your work plan for 2020, go back to the departments and give to all officers in the departments so they will all know what they are contributing in the course of our country.
“The country expects us to rise to our calling as public servants and I ask each and every one that the reform will come as well as incentives but there will be penalties.
“Stand with us and benefit from the incentives and avoid the penalties that will come in the reforms that we are going to introduce.
“And key in the reform is that every public servant must be anchored to a contract that binds you and when it lapses, your performance will call for your re-engagement or otherwise,” he said.
Marape told the public servants that their productivity would be measured against their achievement.
“I look forward to another productive year, it’s time to work.
“I will work with Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari to ensure that whatever you’re subscribed to do is achieved.
“Our people expect much from us so let’s rise up and deliver to them.
“All I’m asking is to ensure that our country improves for the better in 10 years.”
Marape commended department heads, particularly the Community Development and Department of Personnel Management, who had organised the dedication service.

7 comments

  • Well said PM. KPI is one of the best thing that you have or need to introduce in order lift the morale of each employee in the public offices. Wantok system is killing the working spirit and customer service is very poor in the governments offices.

  • It is about time this happens because DAs and PAs in all Provinces and Districts for instance just carry the title and not performing their TOR (Terms of references) or Job Descriptions (JDs).

  • Mmmmmm, a good piece of message and it is through. But the only problem we face with this is the implemenyation . if everyone think and speak the same. Please PM its about time to dig deeper to making sure the public employees do what’s best. A good % have rank these country to 137/180 most corrupt nation in the pacific.

  • Prime Minister, getting rid of Neoptism starts with you! You start it by removing all your corrupt wantoks from positions of power and the the entire public sservice will follow suit. Although their are some corrupt Not only that, you will have to direct your State Ministers to practice what you are preaching too. Most of them have supported their unqualified and inexperienced wantoks to to become heads of departments and hold senior positions to junior positions in all state departments. That is the whole reason our progress is excruciatingly slow. Once you practice what you preach the entire public service will fall in line!

  • Good incentive to issue the KPIs and monitoring it. All of us have to work with these KPIs to restore the Public service. Global changes and other changes are also affecting public service in a way. All JDs needs to be reviewed and overhauled and adjusted to reflect current Government priorities in order to set the Government in the path to achieve the V2050.

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