The Government will be promoting value for money in 2018 through a number of reforms.
Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel, said the Government is confident in delivering to the people through these reforms.
Abel said some of these reform initiatives are aimed at reducing inefficiencies, rebasing the size and function of the public service, and re-aligning public sector functions and responsibilities to avoid duplication of roles and responsibilities.
The reforms include:
- Improving the management of personnel emoluments, through the work of OSPEAC;
- Reducing leakages by implementing the amalgamations programme, and reforming procurement;
- Improving the selection of capital projects by creating the committee led by Planning to evaluate financial and economic impacts of each projects;
- Merging National departments and agencies;
- Management of manpower and personnel emolument ceilings; and
- Industrial Pay Fixation Agreements.
Meantime, Abel added that the Government will also be embarking on major reforms in the business sector leading up to the APEC Summit in 2018.
However, Opposition stalwart and former Prime Minister, Sir Mekere Morauta, said the country is facing a severe recession in the economy and the Government’s ‘sweet talks’ will not be fulfill.
Sir Mekere said the reason for the recession is the lack of liquidity: foreign exchange shortages and inadequate domestic financing for businesses.
He added that the reason for lack of liquidity in the country was the Government’s waste mismanagement and corruption, unpaid bills and empty promises.