Training delays projects: Officer

By PISAI GUMAR
DELAYS in rolling out the recently-introduced integrated financial management system (IFMS) in districts of Morobe is delaying service delivery into local level governments, Bulolo district chief executive officer Tae Gwambelek says.
Gwambelek was concerned after waiting for IFMS training that would certify him to endorse funds to implement projects and programmes.
In Morobe, only treasury officers attended the IFMS training while chief executive officers, district officers-in-charge, authorised requisition officers, LLG managers and executive officers were yet to attend training.
“Ninety-three officers including 27 from nine district administrations and 66 from LLG administrations are yet to attend IFMS training” Gwambelek said.
“We are behind our project implementing schedules.”
Gwambelek was frustrated after IFMS in Lae rejected his signature last Friday, when he brought in project claims to be verified and endorsed, and cheques raised for various programmes.
“I am forced to raise claims in Bulolo and take them to Lae for processing and depositing for scheduled projects, but again, IFMS is ignoring my signature. I asked budget officers what is wrong and even the officers cannot explain to me,” he said.