Jotham Napat is Vanuatu's fifth prime minister in four years. Photo: Facebook / Jotham Napat
Vanuatu's Prime Minister Jotham Napat has issued a warning to public officers, urging them to fulfill their duties or face dismissal.
Napat was elected as the new prime minister of the island nation last week.
In a direct statement, he outlined the government's commitment to monitoring public servant performance, stating that non-compliance would lead to necessary actions, including potential severance payments.
Lunch breaks for public sector employees have already been slashed, according to the Vanuatu Daily Post's report.
The newspaper reported that Napat has also banned frequent government retreats, describing them as an excuse for employees to be absent from their offices.
Effective immediately, all public servants must remain at their workplaces to improve accountability and service delivery.
The report said Napat emphasised the need for a performance-based government, stating that even his own position is subject to performance evaluations.
"If I am not performing, I am ready to step down," he was quoted as saying, extending this principle across the entire public service sector.
He issued an apology to the people of Vanuatu, assuring them that the government will work diligently to improve efficiency and meet the nation's expectations.
-Vanuatu Daily Post
