DICT Secretary Calls for Reflection and Systemic Efficiency in the Dept

Friday 13 September 2024

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Mr. Steven Matainaho in his address today urged staff to focus on improving systems and processes as the nation reflects on its journey since independence.

At DICT’s main conference room, Secretary Matainaho emphasized on accountability and efficiency within the public service, calling for a united effort not just within DICT but also for all public body, to drive national progress.

Setting aside political distractions, Mr. Matainaho shared a personal insight, highlighting how Prime Minister James Marape inspired him. “The Prime Minister once said, ‘Look at the leading nations, study their leadership and public service reforms, and see how you can replicate it.’ That resonated with me. There’s only so much a Prime Minister can do by setting a vision. The real burden is on us—the public servants—to ensure its execution,” he stated.

“Prime Minister mentioned for me to look at the Singapore model and see the leadership there, so I actually bought two biographies of the founding Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew”

Mr. Matainaho shared how the approach of the Founding Prime Minister of Singapore, in separating politics from policies offers valuable lessons. “Lee Kuan Yew invested in the public service machinery. He understood that the public service is the engine driving national development. We need to adopt this mindset—focusing not on people, but on refining our systems and processes,” he added.

Mr. Matainaho emphasized the need for a shift in how public servants approach their work, stating, “When we drive a car, we don’t blame the passengers for poor performance; we look at the engine’s efficiency. Every role in this department matters. If we all give 200%, we will be light years ahead.”

He urged colleagues to stop engaging in office gossip and focus instead on their contribution to improving the department. “We don’t talk about people; we talk about systems and processes. Our focus must be on how efficient we are in executing our responsibilities.”

Several senior DICT officials also shared their reflections during the event. First Secretary to the ICT Minister, Mr. Joseph Ealedona, Advisor to DICT Mr. Francis Ogio, Corporate Service Director Mr. Maisen Windo, Ms. Michelle Jerewai Manger for Information Dissemination, as well as Ms Elizabeth Chepon called for continued collaboration and teamwork in realizing the department’s goals as Papua New Guinea approaches its 50th year of independence.

Mr. Matainaho’s call to action stands as a timely reminder for public servants to reflect on their roles, improve efficiency, and take ownership of the systems that drive national progress.

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