DPM Tovosia says PSs’ instructed not to travel overseas

Deputy Prime Minister Bradley Tovosia has revealed that instructions have been given to the Secretary to Cabinet to ensure that no permanent secretaries are allowed to travel overseas as the government prepares its 100 days’ work plan.

Speaking to journalists this afternoon, Tovosia said he had spoken to the STC (Nego Sisiolo) to advise all the permanent secretaries that there will be no overseas trips.

“They have to say on foot (home) to make sure the 100 days policy is finished (competed),” said Tovosia, who’s also the minister of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification.

He said: “If you talk about the 100 days policy it is the policy of the minister and the ministry must take charge.”

 The DPM added the next thing is how it (100 days policy) would be implemented and the PS must sit-down and work on it in the ministry.

Tovosia said PSs’ can travel but only after the 100 days policy is launched.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele in support of his deputy said they had made it clear to the STC that the PS’s and their deputies are key to implementing government policies.

He added “It is important that in the early days that PSs’ remain in office — not only for the implementation of the 100 days programme but to further develop the government’s four years policy,” he said.

The PM also underscored that it is also important the permanent secretaries work and perform adding that it is an area “we as a government would like to see.”