THEME: “Year of Restoration in the Public Service”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & SALUTATION:
• Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP
• Hon. Joe Sungi, MP, Minister for Public Service,
• Hon. Jason Peter, MP, Minister for Community Dev., Youth & Religion,
• Hon. Ministers and Members of Parliament,
• Distinguished Heads of Departments, Statutory Agencies, and Public bodies,
• Diplomatic Community, Development Partners,
• Esteemed Public Servants,
• Faith Based Organizations, Pastors, Music Ministries and faithful followers of Christ,
■ Volunteers and Sponsors,
■ Fellow Listeners and viewers tuning in radio stations and NBC TV, livestreams • Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning and a Happy New Year 2025!!
It is my great honour and pleasure, as Chief Secretary, to welcome you all this morning to Sir John Guise Indoor Complex – Port Moresby for the 2025 9
Public Service Dedication Service (PSDS). As we re-dedicate ourselves to the noble call of public service and reaffirm our collective commitment to serving the people of Papua New Guinea, let us remind ourselves that we have a noble duty to our people.
The essence of today’s event is not just to celebrate the dedication of the public service for the year 2025 but to affirm our commitment as public servants in service delivery to the nation and the people that God has bestowed upon us to serve. It is also a time of forgiveness and repentance for restoration to start the new year of public service delivery.
Our theme this year ‘ Year of restoration in the Public Service’ (Drawn from Leviticus 25:10) is also timely because Papua New Guinea as a nation will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee or 50″ Anniversary of nationhood comes September 16″ 2025. Hence, it is only right that we claim this year as the year of restoration for ourselves as agents of change and the public service as the mechanism for effective service delivery. In biblical times golden jubilees are a time for a reset. A time to resolve to do things differently.
We are on the cusp of celebrating our 50th Independence Anniversary, a momentous milestone that calls for reflection on our journey as a nation-our achievements, our challenges, and the opportunities that lie ahead. This is not just a time for celebration but also a time to focus on the tasks before us, recommitting to advancing national development and ensuring better outcomes for all Papua New Guineans.
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
As we step into 2025, I urge all government agencies to prioritize the development and implementation of annual operational work plans that are aligned with appropriated funds earmarked for this fiscal year. This alignment is crucial to avoid ad hoc spending and unplanned activities, which undermine efficiency and accountability. You may have submitted a budget proposal for more. But now that your allocation has been confirmed we must adjust, and rescope, and work within the funding envelop.
The Public Service Management Act and the Public Finance Management Act clearly outline our accountability and reporting obligations. As leaders, you are duty-bound to adhere to these legislative frameworks, ensuring integrity, transparency, and prudent management of resources. These are the accountability measures that the law imposes upon us and we must adhere to those impositions strictly.
Timely submission of cash flow reports and annual operational plans is essential. By the start of the fiscal year, all departments and agencies must submit their plans and 12-month cash flow projections to the Departments of Treasury, Finance, and National Planning & Monitoring. This enables the timely release of warrants. In addition, quarterly budget review reports, to be submitted by the second week of the first month of each preceding quarter, are critical for assessing program implementation, evaluating outcomes, and making necessary adjustments to operational plans.
Your Annual Management Reports (AMRs), due by March 31 each year, are more than legal obligations. They are vital opportunities to showcase your agency’s achievements, address challenges, and highlight alignment with corporate and operational plans, as well as with the priorities outlined in the Medium-Term Development Plan IV (MTDP IV) 2023-2027. It allow my Department to compile a Whole-of-Government report that carries the report card our government each year.
STRATEGIC REFORMS AND CAPACITY BUILDING
This milestone year is also a call to advance legislative and policy reforms. I urge each agency head to identify sector-specific reforms that align with government priorities as outlined in MTDP IV. Since 2019, significant strides have been made in legislative reforms across social and economic sectors. As we approach our 50th anniversary, outstanding reforms must take precedence to ensure we meet the evolving needs of our people at present and into the next 50 years. We need to tidy up our legal landscape and set our sights for the future.
Our focus must remain on addressing structural inefficiencies, strengthening institutions, and investing in capacity building-foundations essential for effective public service delivery. These efforts must be guided by innovative solutions, alignment with higher government priorities, and a commitment to delivering sustainable outcomes that benefit all Papua New Guineans.
Equally, we must prioritize the welfare of our employees. Every public servant, from the cleaner to the driver to senior management, play an integral role in achieving organizational goals and delivering government services. Let us treat each other with respect, fairness, and dignity, fostering a harmonious and inclusive workplace in line with the principles of the Gender Equity, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Policy.
FISCAL DISCIPLINE AND EQUITABLE SERVICE DELIVERY
As stewards of public resources, we are entrusted with ensuring that the government’s significant annual investment of over K2.5 billion in public service salaries alone delivers measurable and impactful outcomes. While the public service is the largest employer in the country, employing approximately 200,000 people (according to the Human Resource Development Strategic Plan 2020- 2050), concerns remain about whether this substantial resource allocation translates into the desired level of service delivery.
It is imperative that these resources are managed efficiently to ensure equitable service delivery, particularly to reach marginalized and underserved communities across the nation.
Our mission is clear: to ensure that government goods and services reach every corner of Papua New Guinea, upholding the principles of equity and inclusivity. Let us remain vigilant in managing the limited resources entrusted to us, ensuring they are channelled into areas that promote growth, wealth creation, and revenue generation to bolster our economy and uplift the lives of our people.
A CALL TO EXCELLENCE
As we reflect on our journey over the past 50 years, let us embrace the lessons learned from both our successes and challenges. Let us shift our focus from problems to solutions, viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth and development.
In this regard, I draw your attention to Philippians 4:8, which calls us to focus on values that inspire excellence and integrity: “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy-think about such things.” This is the foundational guard rails of efficient and ethical conduct.
This verse serves as a profound reminder of our responsibility as public servants to uphold truth, fairness, and excellence in all our endeavors. By cultivating these virtues, we not only serve our nation effectively but also honor our divine calling as faithful stewards of the resources and opportunities entrusted to us.
CONCLUSION
The program for today’s event has been distributed. We will have:
• Minister for Community Development and Religion, Hon Jason Peter to do the Official Opening Remarks,
• Minister for Public Service, Hon. Joe Sungi to give the Ministerial Message,
■ Word of God to be delivered by Rt Rev. Garo Kilage- Moderator, United Church of PNG,
• Key note Address by the Prime Minster, Hon. James Marape, MP
• Followed by launchlng and dedication of all GoPNG 2025 Annual Operational Plans & Dedication Prayers for Public Service and Servants; and
• will conclude with the recital of the Public Service Oath, led by Sir Gibbs Salika KBE- Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea.
As we embark on the year ahead, let us renew our commitment to serving the people of Papua New Guinea with integrity, transparency, and unwavering dedication, focusing on building a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient nation for the next 50 years and beyond. I encourage you to actively engage in today’s event, reflecting on your journey as a public servant, embracing forgiveness, and seeking restoration for personal and professional growth. May this occasion inspire and guide us toward renewing the public service and fulfilling our shared mission with purpose and dedication.
Thank you, and I wish you a fruitful and fulfilling 2025.