PNG needs more like Sir Manasupe

 IT is indeed commendable to read in our daily newspapers that Prime Minister, Peter O’Niell, continues to show gratitude to now former Chief Secretary, Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc. 

This gesture from the country’s chief executive should not be encouragement only for Sir Manasupe but for all serving public servants; and I might hasten to add, for those public servants who have served this country and its people over the years with distinction. 

In commending the former Chief Secretary, the Prime Minister is creating legacy by correcting the perception that political leadership is the only answer to all the development challenges of this country. 

The general populace that I have interacted with, at least in the rural areas, are resigned to the view that only politicians can provide service to them. 

In the mind of a grass roots person politics is the panacea for every society’s needs. This mentality seems to be embedded in the politics of elections because of the free-handout practices.

The general populace of PNG may not be aware that a public servant takes an Oath of Office to serve this country and its people. It is therefore important that the public servants demonstrate that they can do that. 

The public servants should be providing service free of conflict of interest or soliciting of favours in return for providing service. This can only be so if the public servants uphold their Oaths of Office. 

In part the terms of Public Service Oath of Office include :

– Loyalty to the State and not necessarily the Government; and State means everyone and everything within the entity called Papua New Guinea;

– Advice to bosses on things they need to hear and not necessarily the things they want to hear;

– Not using public Office to wrongfully make money; and

– Total commitment to the job and thereby serving the country its people.  

In support of the Prime Minister’s statement it has to be said that the former Chief Secretary clearly fulfilled his Oath of Office beyond his call of duty. 

In particular, I do not think he wrongfully gained benefits through the Offices he held, including the Office of the Chief Secretary. 

This is a rare trait in the public service of today. I do not believe there is any allegation, suggestion or even a rumour about Sir Manasupe being implicated whilst serving in public offices he held during his public service career.  

The practice of using public office for personal gain is so common with public servants of today

In my time in public service the Public Service Oath of Office was almost a sacred document. I don’t believe it is treated as such in today’s Public Service.

PNG is riddled with corruption in every sector of our society, none more so than the public sector.  The longer this cancer continues to persist, PNG will become a totally corrupt society.

The country needs public servants who have moral back-bones to say “no” to corruption. PNG needs honest, committed, hard-working and morally strong public servants to lay the right foundations to be built upon for our future generations.

PNG needs more public servants like Sir Manasupe, who will honour their Public Service Oaths of Office. 

Joseph N Gabut, Via email