Tong Keynote Speaker At Awards
The President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, will be the keynote speaker in this year’s government’s Service Excellence Awards [SEA].
The programme, initiated in 2005 to bring about improvements in internal processes and systems, will take place today at the Hotel Novotel Lami Bay Convention Centre in Lami.
Thirty-three agencies are taking part – 8 are vying for the Prime Minister’s Award today.
The Permanent Secretary for the Public Service Commission, Parmesh Chand said the theme for this year’s awards was based on climate change. He said inviting Mr Tong to be the keynote speaker complimented the theme considering his work on climate change.
“This is the first time we have a significant regional personality to attend the awards to compliment the theme of the awards. Normally we have speakers from Asia and this year we decided to reach out closer to our home, given our close relations with neighbouring countries,” Mr Chand said.
“He, in his own right, in a very significant way, has carried the message about climate change. We would like to highlight to civil servants on this very topical issue that is affecting everyone’s lives. Having Mr Tong come and speak is a huge plus for us in this event.”
Fiji’s Roving Ambassador to the Pacific, Litia Mawi, said bringing in Mr Tong as keynote speaker indicates Fiji’s passion to advocate on an issue that affects not only the people of Fiji but the region as a whole.
“Fiji can showcase that it has the passion and it has the commitment to creating awareness on climate change and promoting adaptation to our leaders, including those in our 20 missions serving in overseas countries who carry on the message to countries they are serving in for the betterment of our people,” Ms Mawi said.
Meanwhile, 33 agencies are participating this year and eight are vying for the Prime Minister’s Awards.
Mr Chand said there would be a simultaneous telecast of this event to their divisional centres in Labasa and in Lautoka.
“One hundred and fifty civil servants would gather at both centres respectively where Minister for Agriculture Inia Seruiratu will be chief guest in the North and Minister for Education Dr Mahendra Reddy will be chief guest in the West,” he said.
“This is line with the Prime Minister’s vision of inclusive civil service in ensuring that no one gets left behind.”
