This press release was originally published on Vanuatu PM’s Office website
PORT VILA, 01st March 2023. The Vanuatu Office of the Public Service Commission has achieved another milestone- the Honorable Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas has officially launched the newly revised Public Service Staff Manual and officiated the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Prime Minister’s Office and Public Service Complex on the 1st of March 2024 on the island of Santo.
The new PM’s Office and PSC Complex on Santo is located opposite the Sanma Provincial Headquarters. This initiative is part of the government's decentralization policy in collaboration with stakeholders and partners.
In his official remarks, the Chairman of the PSC, Mr Martin Mahe reiterated that 2023 Decentralization Summit presented vision for a decentralized government structure.
“The PSC in the meantime, while waiting for the survey and consultation findings, intends to start moving to support the devolution of key services to the provinces,” he said.
Recently, the OPSC has been going under reforms strongly supported by the Vanuatu government -to establish a robust, integrated, innovative reform program of Vanuatu’s public sector. The reform is funded by the Pacific Community (SPC) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) PROJECT Governance Program.
Mr Martin stated the PSSM was rewritten with one core objective- the improvement of effective, efficient services to the people of Vanuatu through improved performance, transparency and accountability.
“Improved decentralized services and performance delivery in the provinces through strong planning, budgeting, reporting and performance management has been the ‘driver’ of the
PSC’s raft of reforms such as the PSSM, legislative harmonization through a new PS Act, improved procedures, policy and Guidelines development” he said.
The Hon PM Salwai congratulated the PSC for the timely milestones and acknowledged the tremendous collaborative effort to ensure the review of the PSSM.
“Our public service is the backbone of our government’s service delivery and with the launching of the PSSM we want to strengthen existing loopholes in the service delivery system and address issues accordingly and professionally,” he stressed.
PM Salwai announced the construction of PM’s Office and PSC Complex- physical evidence of the Vanuatu Govt’s commitment to the provision of access to governments services, officers and technical expertise.
The event also featured the launch of the new OPSC website. This online platform is user friendly and will enable PSC staff and the public to access information on functions, roles, and achievements of the PSC.
The Hon PM Salwai acknowledged the tremendous efforts of the OPSC staff under the leadership of Chairman Martin Mahe and funding partners towards this occasion.
This important event was witnessed by government ministers, diplomatic corps and key partners who have participated in the ground works.
