The Public Service Commission has banned renting further office space and quarters to accommodate the government departments in order to cut costs.
The statement was made by the Permanent Secretary for PSC, Taina Tagicakibau in a recent PSC Circular that has been given to all Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments within the Public Service.
Tagicakibau reveals that the cost of office space to accommodate Ministries and Departments has escalated almost two fold over the years since 1998. Similarly the cost for rented quarters has almost doubled for the same period.
The Public Service Ministry has also revealed that there will be no job losses if the Public Sector Reform is implemented.
Permanent Secretary, Taina Tagicakbau has refuted reports that there will be workers laid off saying that this is not part of the plan.
Tagicakibau adds that there is no need to be concerned since the Sector Reform will only cut down the expenses and will look at plans to ensure that people are not affected by the Reform.
Meanwhile Interim Health Minister, Doctor Jona Senilagakali has decided that the Health Ministry staff will not move to the newly built Namosi House in Suva.
Doctor Jona said the ousted SDL government had already made an undertaking that the Namosi House will be rented by the Health Ministry. However the final decision has been made that the ministry cannot afford to move to the new building.
Chairman of the Namosi Development Committee, Kiniviliame Taukeinikoro said they have already used about 6 million dollars after taking a loan from a commercial bank to construct the building and it would be a huge loss to them if the ministry does not move there. He reveals that the agreement was already signed between them and the previous government that they would be paid 750,000 dollars annually for the rent for the new building.
