14 Jun 2007

Fiji interim administration to use regulations to sack corrupt public servants

10:45 am on 14 June 2007

Fiji's interim administration has warned that any public servants and officials who are found to be corrupt will face dismissal.

Radio Legend reports that the permanent secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, Parmesh Chand, gave the warning in response to reports that some senior officials have been terminated without going through the court process.

Mr Chand says if they have sufficient evidence of abuse, urgent action has to be taken.

He says regulations exist to sack people who pose a risk of further abuse or those who could destroy evidence.

Mr Chand says despite challenges faced by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption, they will go ahead with further audits.

Organisations currently undergoing audit are Airports Fiji Limited, the Fiji National Provident Fund, the Elections Office, the Fiji Sports Council, Fiji Ports Corporation, the Native Lands Trust Board and the Fiji Institute of Technology.

Entities within the government which are under audit include the Lands Department, the Public Works Department, the Agriculture Ministry and the Government Supplies Department.

Mr Chand says they are analyzing what matters can be made public as many issues will be taken to court.