As Fiji’s civil servants receive a 3 per cent pay increase, questions are mounting over whether service delivery and productivity will match the investment, according to Minister Manoa Kamikamica. In remarks that both praised and challenged the civil service, the Minister for Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, noted that while many civil servants are dedicated and hardworking, systemic inefficiencies remain. “We have some fantastic civil servants… but we just don’t seem to get productivity right,” Mr Kamikamica said. He acknowledged a long-standing cultural and operational lag within Government, contrasting it with private companies like Vodafone and manufacturing firms already winning on the global stage. “In our own country, we talk about productivity and we just don’t seem to get it right,” Mr Kamikamica said. Mr Kamikamica highlighted the need for a shift in mindset within the public sector. “Politicians come and go, but the civil servants are permanent. That’s why they are called permanent secretaries. It’s time we deliver for the people.” He stressed that this year marks a turning point for Government’s administrative capabilities. “This is probably the first year we’ve managed to get our arms around a lot of the issues,” he said, referring to infrastructure, water, and health services. Though ambitious, the plan is being cautiously rolled out, with help from international partners and local leaders. Mr Kamikamica hinted future incentives for businesses investing in productivity-enhancing technologies. The challenge now, he added, is execution, “We have a plan. We’re running it down. And over the next few years, you’ll see transformational changes in Government services.” Feedback: sosiveta.korobiau@fijisun.com.fj