Resign and focus on businesses: PM

PUBLIC servants who want to own and run their private businesses must first resign, says Prime Minister James Marape.
Marape said those public servants who wanted to venture into private businesses would be supported by the Government through small-to-medium enterprises programmes but they must resign from the public service first.
He said corruption permeated the society relentlessly and that was why the government had supported, funded and established the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
“We have passed the amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act. It is an economic concern we are addressing. There is no point getting back more from our resources when resources are wasted through corruption and corruption related leakages,” he said.
“We will ensure that ICAC is functional.
“We will make sure that the systems are well established and a process is in place to bring those who engage in corrupt practice to account.”
Marape said the government will also make sure that public officials were doing their work and not conducting businesses.
“We have now inserted provisions on undisclosed wealth into the Proceeds of Crimes Act that ensures that no public official is living beyond his means and that is why public servants who want to do businesses must first resign,” he said.
Marape said there may have been many inquiries conducted over the years.
“We will gather them and address the issues as recommended. We stand committed to ensure that those findings are clearly addressed,” he said.
“We must reset our people’s expectations on what is right and what is wrong. These actions will be taken swiftly as there is public demand for actions to take place and for wrongdoers to take responsibility.”