Chief Secretary to Government

The Chief Secretary acknowledged the 2023 Christmas and farewell function for the staff of the Department and retirees.

“It had been a year of challenges, triumphs, and growth, and I am immensely proud of what the Department has been able to deliver,” he stated. 

“We have been able to support the Prime Minister in some of his key undertakings whether it is in policy, legal work or in international engagements.”

Pomaleu added that the Department has staff that knows what they are required to do to achieve the nature of their work, with limited or no supervision.

Chief Secretary to Government, Ivan Pomaleu informed participants of the High Level Seminar Workshop held recently in Port Moresby, the importance of the projects.

He said access to quality basic services for our more than 1,000,000 people living in rural areas is often very difficult and the difficulties that they face is very different from those who live in towns and cities.

In a statement, Lupari described the antics of a few opposition members, telling people to boycott the economy, as self-serving.

“I do not want to see any public servants involved in this politics in any way, as this would be in breach of the Public Service Act and their employment conditions.

“This government has been very fair to all public servants making sure that all entitlements and long overdue benefits are addressed adequately and continues to do so.

“This nonsense is not a strike about an industrial issue, but a soapbox for self-serving politicians.

Chief Secretary to Government, Isaac Lupari, when addressing hundreds of APEC staff and officials at the International Convention Centre, confidently said PNG is ready to deliver the 3rd Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM3) and related meetings after having successfully delivered SOMs 1&2.

Chief Secretary told APEC staff that many people doubted that PNG was ready and able to host APEC in 2018.

Lupari said hosting of APEC would provide a greater opportunity for PNG to promote and market its investment destination.

In a debriefing of 2nd Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM2) and Related Meetings recently, Lupari expressed his gratitude towards all the Government agencies that have taken lead during SOM2 and urged them to continue to work together in delivering APEC 2018.

Chief Secretary to Government, Isaac Lupari said: “The National Disaster Centre is working with provincial authorities to assess any damage and impacts on service delivery in the area.

“The Papua New Guinea Defence Force has also been mobilised to assist with the assessment and the delivery of assistance to affected people as well as the restoration of services and infrastructure.

“Information will be provided as this is made available from assessment teams in the area.

He clarified that there’s no delays on salaries as Government payroll system pays on Thursdays every two weeks and not on Mondays.

Lupari was responding to a question from this newsroom about the public servants salaries.

However, Lupari said all public servants got paid on time which on a Thursday and not on a Monday.

“I got paid, so as my staff. Which public servants haven’t got paid?”

He further added that many public servants are not budgeting their salaries well and ended up using all their money.

Speaking to the MP’s during Day Two of the National Parliament Induction Programme, Lupari said the country is currently faced by many problems covering many facets which include social and economical.

He said it was imperative now more than ever that all MPs were n cooperation to address those problems.

Lupari also highlighted the need for more connectivity between the Government and the public service.

He said he has witnessed a gradual decline in interaction which has resulted in lack of service delivery.