While addressing interim cabinet ministers and heads of government departments at a workshop here in Suva, Commodore Frank Bainimarama gave an insight into the 2009 budget to be delivered early next month.
“In this budget, one thing I must avoid is putting out a plethora of promises,” he said.
“I would like this budget to boost confidence, particularly of the private sector, for it to invest more, to grow the economy and to generate the jobs that we need,” he added. “Also, I want this budget to be pro-poor, to improve the basic living conditions of our people. Through this budget I want the public sector to demonstrate its own commitment to change; by doing more with less, by raising its productivity and service delivery; and by ensuring its own right-sizing through much needed and long overdue reform and restructuring.”
Bainimarama also challenged his ministers and permanent secretaries to commit to change and “to exercise the much needed effective leadership in ensuring the orientation of the public service to a no-nonsense, performance and results-oriented culture.”
He said he “deeply regrets” his interim government’s achievements since its inception in Jan. 2007.
“The regret is that the interim government could have done and achieved more than we actually did accomplish,” Bainimarama said.
He said he was particularly concerned with the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the civil service.
He added that there was no commitment to reducing government operational costs by 10 percent through reforms and right sizing of the civil service.
“All of you must contribute,” he said. “We can not carry on ‘business-as-usual.’ We must transform the performance, service delivery and overall productivity and efficiencies of the public service. Bold decisions have to be made to assist our people to improve their living conditions.”
