Seven govt departments move into new offices

By Rebecca Kuku
SEVEN Government departments have moved into the new Twin Tower buildings on Melanesian Way, Waigani, says Finance secretary Dr Ken Ngangan.
He said a number of government agencies had been relocated within Waigani to improve and integrate Government service using a one-stop shop delivery model.
“The Department of Finance, Government Office Allocation Committee and the National Procurement Commission have moved to the Twin Tower,” he said.
“The Government cash office will continue to occupy (offices) at Vulupindi Haus. And a second cash office will be opened at Twin Tower One in the near future.
“The Department of National Planning, National Statistics Office, Department of Implementation and Rural Development and the National Identification Project have moved to Tower Two.” Ngangan said the move was consistent with the Government’s long-term programme to improve service delivery, and an ownership model to procure government office accommodation using a new arrangement.
“This is the first major relocation under the Building Own Lease Transfer (Bolt) arrangement with private property owners, which results in the State owning the buildings after a leaseback period,” he said. Ngangan also said the towers were contemporary buildings adapted to suit the e-Government’s future. “The Department of Finance commenced a digitalisation project in 2022 with the aim of moving towards a paperless office, and use of digital workflows within their processes,” he said.
“The National Procurement Commission also rolled out a digitalisation strategy in 2020 and continues to progress in its eProcurement vision.”
Meanwhile, the Vulupindi Haus is now occupied by the Department of Education, Teaching Services Commission and PNG National Commission for Unesco.