The Internal Revenue Commission has been called on to ban all overseas meetings for 2017 and focus on life skills and professional training programs for its staff.
The call was made by Chief Secretary to Government, Isaac Lupari, when meeting with staff and management of the IRC in Port Moresby.
Lupari said there must be five year training programs implemented in all government agencies.
The trainings will improve the attitude of staff and boost moral so that the can carry out their job’s efficiently.
He told the gathering that agencies such as they IRC and Customs are his priority and that he has recommended for them to be given priority in terms of funding and capacity which is evident in the 2017 National Budget.
In the 2017 National Budget K90 million is earmarked for the IRC to finance revenue collection activities which the government had placed significant emphasis on for next year.
They have also approved a restructure of the IRC and more manpower to boost its effectiveness in ensuring tax compliance in the country.
Lupari says tax evasion is strife as there is a K2 billion in outstanding revenue yet to be collected by the IRC.
He said with the level of funding and capacity, there is no reason why the IRC should not be able to carry out its job effectively.
Further, He said it all boiled down to the attitude of staff in working together as a team.
Commissionar General, Betty Palaso, thanked Luapri for making time available to speak to them and also challenged IRC staff to take on the challenge given.
Since assuming office, the Chief Secretary has been meeting with Departments and staff to communicate with them directly the governments objectives and aspirations.
He began meeting with the Department of Lands and Physical Planning and today with the IRC. His next meeting is with the Department of Education.