By Eric Haurupma (UPNG Journalism Student) – EM TV, Port Moresby
National Government Secretary, Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc, has announced yesterday at the Leadership Summit that most government agencies have not submitted their performance reports since 2013.
Mr. Zurenuoc said public funds should be audited. He also added that reports must be provided to ensure there is transparency and accountability within all government sectors.
He said there is room for improvement in the submission of reports from many government agencies.
The leadership summit yesterday provides a forum for local leaders, led by the Prime Minister and the administrators.
“It is an accountability mechanism on the performance of the bureaucracy in a given year”.
It opens robust dialogue on the performance and discussion of the policy initiatives, issues and challenges of the past year, and to chart current priorities. While the government is focusing on providing tangible services in health, education and road infrastructure development in rural areas of PNG.
Allocation of government funding is diverted to all levels of governments for service delivery through the District Support Improvement and the Provincial Support Improvement Funds.
It is the responsibility of the administrators to acquit and provide reports on the use of these funds.
In 2013, the administrators signed the performance agreement, and out of the 82 agreements they only received 16 reports in 2014.
Zurenouc said, those included in the delayed category are Tourism Promotion Authority, PNG’sports Federation, National Aids Council and PNG Ports. Out of 22 provinces only 10 administrators submitted their reports.
Meanwhile, Milne Bay, Enga, Madang, New Ireland, East New Britain, West New Britain and Jiwaka provinces have not filed for two consecutive years.
“With the massive roll out of infrastructure development in the country, submissions of reports are a priority concern for administrators”, he said.
