The Bougainville Public Service has been encouraged to maintain solidarity within its ranks to foster the aspirations of the Bougainville people.

ABG President Grand Chief Dr John Momis made this statement during the 2019 dedication of the Bougainville Public Service today.

President Momis encouraged the public servants to have dignity in whatever tasks that they perform to serve the people of Bougainville.

“Do you see your work as public servants in the same way you give dignity to yourselves and the job you carry? Consider yourselves fortunate because there are many wanting to be in your position right now,” he said.

“Appreciate your work. Do ordinary things extraordinarily well. Find fulfilment in the daily routine that drags you from the comforts of your beds. Be thankful, yes be grateful you have a job,” he said.

“You must have integrity and doing what is right by doing it consistently, honestly and accurately,” he said.

Momis said that consistency is about being the same regardless of the situation and it is a choice every public servant must make.

“Honesty or accuracy of one’s actions requires intentionality and thought. How honest or accurate are your behaviors, actions, and words with other people that you lead?” he said.

Momis added that in public service, the temptation to be dishonest is always there, like tinkering with the payroll system, taking 10% from projects, coming late for work and leaving early and taking bribes under the table.

“It is not easy but the key words I want you all to take to heart are consciousness and choice. Each waking hour and spending my time in church I always offer to God that today I make the right choice and decisions, that I remain conscious that I lead and hold in my hand the future of every Bougainvillean,” he said.

“I firmly believe that each one of you here has a sense of purpose; without it we lose our way and lose our motivation, become depressed and prone to the temptations. Without purpose we succumb to procrastination, inefficiency, absenteeism and all the ills that beset government bureaucracy,” he said.

“Let us unite and work hard to give our people the government they deserve,” he added.

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