The Papua New Guinea Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative is looking at investing in its own staff to drive forward the goals and objectives of the Secretariat. PNGEITI recently employed eight new professionals boosting the number of employees to 17. Executive Director, Lucas Alkan says PNGEITI is in a transactional phase passing on from being a Secretariat to a Commission once the Commission Bill gets passed and it needs qualified professionals to lead the institution. Mr. Alkan encouraged the staff to pursue further training and studies to position themselves to lead the Secretariat.
“I encourage you all to keep learning, even if it means to pursue further training overseas as this will benefit the Secretariat and the country as a whole. I am ready to release you on full pay to pursue further training even if it means for you to go overseas,” said Mr. Alkan.
”The Secretariat plays an important role in advocating transparency in the extractive sector and this requires qualified professionals to be in the forefront and I am counting on you to drive this forward,” he said.
The Executive Director made this remarks when congratulating 14 of his staff who graduated with Certificates in Government and Public Service. As part of the on-going training program, total of 14 staff from PNGEITI graduated on 08th August with National Certificate 2 in Government and Public Service. This follows a week-long induction course at the Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG) in Port Moresby, National Capital District. Under the guidance from SILAG Legal Council, PNGEITI staff took an oath to be loyal and committed in their duties as public servants. SILAG representative, Nellie Arabagali encouraged the graduating staff to serve the public service with commitment and dedication. The course offered by SILAG is undertaken by probationary officers before being employed in public service. The induction training provides the participants with necessary knowledge and attitude required for them to perform in a public service work environment. Trainer, Andrew Walne said the curse is all about working in a public sector environment, knowing the public service systems, processes and procedures as well as the legislative requirements in order to provide quality services to the public. The course is a base level qualification which complies with the requirements of the Public Service General Orders.
