JPHA localizes payroll: CEO warns workforce to shape up or face pay cuts

Jiwaka Provincial Health Authority CEO Thaddeus Turi (right) with DPM team who facilitated the week-long training. The facilitators received bilums from Jiwaka PHA as token of appreciation *(Image: NBC News)*

The Jiwaka Provincial Health Authority [JPHA] is clamping down on workforce truancy and administrative inefficiency by taking full local control of its financial operations.

Following intensive technical training conducted by the national Department of Personnel Management [DPM], the authority is set to implement the Alesco Payroll System, effectively moving administrative powers out of Waigani and directly into the province.

JPHA Chief Executive Officer Thaddeus Turi made it clear that localizing the system is not just an administrative upgrade but a critical tool for strict workforce accountability and performance tracking.

With the digital system active on the ground in Jiwaka, executive management will now have the immediate regulatory authority to monitor, scrutinize, and directly freeze or cease the salaries of non-compliant employees.

"The power to cease salaries is now on hand," CEO Turi said during the training's closing ceremony on Friday, May 15th. "All workforce members must now get their job descriptions (JD) and terms of reference (TOR) in order, and work effectively according to National Health plans and targets."

Previously, resolving default payroll issues or punishing underperforming staff required costly, time-consuming trips to central government offices in Port Moresby. Turi said those expensive logistical hurdles is a thing of the past now.

The training facilitator from DPM, Waire Era, explained that provincial participants underwent rigorous instruction covering governance, dashboard operations, pay cycles, system data forms, and data entry. She confirmed that DPM will soon invite the participants to Port Moresby for final, hands-on practical training and formal certification.

"After certifying the participants, the DPM will give the access to run their own Alesco payroll system," Era said. "That is why we are saying that we are bringing the Waigani office into JPHA."

According to CEO Turi, the Alesco integration represents the final puzzle piece for JPHA’s modernization strategy. The system seamlessly links with the authority's existing Integrated Financial Management System [IFMS] and upgraded digital ICT infrastructure to create a fully modern public service network.

"JPHA has come a long way, facing a lot of challenges," Turi said. "We have been working very hard to create an effective working system and a complete workforce. This installation will fully complete the JPHA Health System."