Public servants reminded about duty

Sixteen out of 26 government agencies who participated were tonight recognised at the 2012 Service Excellence Awards for their contribution towards ensuring quality and excellence in the delivery of quality service to all Fijians.

And there were seven other individuals who were presented with plaques in recognition of their efforts.

In addressing the recipients at the Awards Night held at Novotel Hotel in Lami as well as the more than 300 guests gathered, Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said that they are the backbone of the Government, “the people who keep machinery of the State well oiled and turning properly” who are great role models to the junior ranks.

He further said the award recipients are people who have gone beyond the call of duty, who represent the finest traditions of the civil service in excellent and quality delivery of service to all Fijians with absolute dedication and integrity.

Bainimarama also admitted that there exists a small minority in the service who has not met the high standards that is required.

“There is incompetence, laziness and corruption. And there is no excuse for this,” he said.

“My government is determined to root out wrongdoers and the slackers. An rest assured that if you are corrupt, we will find you and deal with you with the full force of the law.”

Bainimarama also called on Fijians to take a leaf from Singapore who although is but a small nation, approximately the size of Taveuni, has grown  - through good governance and hard work - into one of the economic giants of the region.

“Singapore is the way Fiji aspires to be, the way Fiji will be if Fijians works as hard as Singaporeans to make it happen.”

This was also emphasised by keynote speaker of the night Peter Ho, a retired public servant with the Singapore Govt and current Senior Advisor to the Centre for Strategic Futures in Singapore.

In his address, Ho reminded civil servants of their duty.

He reminded them that they should not treat people merely as recipients and beneficiaries of public goods and services, but rather as consumers and partners in service delivery, who deserved to be served with courtesy, respect and efficiency.

The 2012 ceremony is the eighth year of the Awards.

Award Winners
Big Plaque – Achievement Level
Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister, Judicial Department, Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations & Employment, Ministry of Youth & Sports, Office of the Auditor General, Ministry of Provincial Development and National Disaster Management Office, Ministry of Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Ministry of Finance, Fiji Corrections Services and the Immigration Department

Small Plaque – Commitment Level
Fiji Revenue & Customs Authority, Fiji Police Force, Ministry of Information, National Archives and Library Services of Fiji, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, iTaukei Affairs Board and Ministry of Defence, National Securiy & Immigration

Small Plaque – Recognition of Evaluators
Shaukat Ali (FNU), Filipe Nagera (PSC), Litia Saumaka (PSC), Taina Waqa (ITC), Savenaca Raiwalui (Provincil Development), Isireli Dausiga (Fiji Corrections Services) and Miriama Wasalala (Youth & Sports)

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