Chief Secretary, Ivan Pomaleu has welcomed the recent permanent officers of the Department of Prime Minister and NEC, who have successfully completed a week-long Public Service induction and training on Friday 28th November at the Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG) in Port Moresby.
The Chief Secretary was accompanied by acting Deputy Secretary – Policy Wing 2, Ms. Freda Komolong and Deputy Secretary – Operations, Mr Joshua Uvau and officers of the Department who were present to witness this event.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Pomaleu congratulated the 75 Probationary Officers of the Department who had undergone and completed the Public Service Induction and received National Certificate 2 in Government Public Service Induction at SILAG.
“Your successful completion of this rigorous programme marks your formal entry into a noble vocation. As permanent members of the public service you carry with you a responsibility to uphold integrity, transparency, accountability and the highest standards of public leadership,” the Chief Secretary said.
Mr Pomaleu further highlighted that the induction has provided the graduands with crucial foundational knowledge and practical skills required for effective public administration. The programme covered core principles of governance, ethics, accountability, effective communication, leadership, critical thinking and practical approaches to policy implementation.
He urged the officers of the Department to uphold their professional integrity and official conduct in their workplace.
Public service is a calling: officers must serve with compassion, empathy and a steadfast commitment to the public good.
Apply the training: translate the theory and skills from the induction into practical solutions for the communities you serve.
Embrace collaboration: seek guidance, work closely with colleagues and build networks of peers and mentors across the service.
Meet challenges with resilience: the public service environment will present difficult decisions and obstacles; face these with fortitude and professional judgement.
Uphold transparency and accountability: these are essential to build and maintain public trust, and to ensure effective governance.
Mr Pomaleu also thanked the lecturers and facilitators at the Somare Institute and the Human Resource
Branch of the Department for their dedication in preparing the next generation of public servants.
He told the new officers to pursue continuous professional development and to take pride in their work as they begin their careers across departments and agencies.
Further, Mr. Pomaelu encouraged these officers that the Public Service Cerficate symbolises their commitment to the nation’s public service.
“Carry it with pride and let it remind you of the positive impact you can make in the lives of our citizens,” he said.
In conclusion, the Chief Secretary urged these officers to work together with other Public Servants to build a brighter future for our country.