The efficiency of a government depends on how good its public servants are and how efficient and productive the systems are that define its productivity.

Public servants work for the government and for citizens. They're responsible to the elected government, not a political party. They develop and deliver public programmes or services, inform policy-making, and provide evidence-based advice to leaders.

It was a breath of fresh air when 11 highly qualified Samoans who were recently appointed Government Chief Executive Officers including the Electoral Commissioner and the National University of Samoa Vice-Chancellor took their oath of office on Tuesday.

The C.E.O. who took their oaths of office included Aeau Chris Hazelman (Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture), Fiso Dr. Fiame Leo (Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa), Fonoti Talaitupu Li'a TAefu (Ministry of Customs and Revenue), Kolone Tikeri (Public Service Commission), Lemalu Selesitina Puleaga Meni Reti (Samoa National Provident Fund), Mua'autau Raie Silipa (Development Bank of Samoa), Sautiamaivasa Titimaea Tiotio (Samoa Housing Corporation), Tafesilafa'i Ipuniu Filipo (Samoa Shipping Services), Tuiafelolo Alexander John Stanley (Electoral Commissioner), Tuitoga Christina Angela Te'o Faitele (Public Trustee for the Public Trust Office of Samoa), and Tuifuisa'a Patila Amosa (NUS Vice Chancellor).

In an interview with the recently appointed C.E.O. of the Public Trust Office, Tuitoga emphasised that her ultimate goal is to help the people of Samoa through her role by making things easier for them but also to go in line with the law and policies of the government.

The newly sworn-in Public Service Commission Chief Executive Officer Kolone Tikeri has picked labour mobility as a priority area he will focus on to streamline service delivery.

Mr. Tikeri said one of the major challenges facing the P.S.C. is labour mobility which he is keen to address now that he is in the top job.

"There are quite a few challenges that our public service have seen at the moment with labour mobility and we are doing a review to realign the services of the government," he said.

According to the top bureaucrat, realigning the resources of the P.S.C. is vital so that they can do more with less to mitigate the financial constraints faced by the organisation.

The leadership of these individuals will shape the way on how the government bodies function. Their vision and leadership will see how services are delivered to Samoans. The public service functions remain the same however in the modern day, their key performance indicators should rival any private corporate body and operate at the same or even greater level of efficiency.

This is very important because Samoa’s public service supports current and future governments to achieve outcomes and improve on these outcomes through the services provided by individual organisations, and also by joining up around critical issues or priorities identified by the Government.

Leadership will be very important to improve services. The public service has to provide both face-to-face and digital services that are easy and convenient to interact with and are fully organised around people’s needs.

Public service is very important because it fosters active citizenship and an open government. This is done by improving transparency, increasing civic participation and using new technologies to make the government more open, effective, and accountable.

One of the imperatives of public administration is the achievement of efficiency at all levels. Public organisations are responsible to provide the necessary public goods and services to the citizens but that too without any discrimination specifically based on affordability.

Hence, the multidimensional objectives of public administration demand that performance not only is limited to mere cost–benefit analysis but also incorporates the essential element of providing value to citizens.

In the present era where scarce resources have become even scarcer, it is important to visit the historic viewpoints on efficiency in public administration and attempt to foresee its future.

The willingness of the Chief Executives to take up these important roles has to be commended because a career in the public service is for anyone who wants to make a difference. It means putting public interests first – ahead of personal interests. Many public servants say they chose public service because they enjoy giving back to their community.

It's not just about money, prestige, or the "bottom line." Being a public servant means working hard for a noble purpose and being dedicated to your daily work of serving citizens.

We hope that these leaders in the public service will bring about a positive change for Samoa.