Cabinet announces extension of Task Force Sweep’s terms of reference

THE government has extended the terms of reference of the investigation Task Force Sweep, Minister for National Planning Sam Basil said yesterday.
He said cabinet had approved the establishment of a permanent office for Investigation Task Force Sweep while the terms of reference had been extended to include all allegations lodged with it.
He said the government was mindful that a band aid approach was not appropriate in the long-term fight against corruption.
“We are serious about weeding out corruption and the government has made some changes to fight corruption in the country,” Basil said.
He said the Independent Commission Against Corruption Bill was ready to be tabled in parliament.
But he said after much consideration on the issue of corruption, it was clear that a well-thought out strategy to eradicate corruption must be mapped out.
There were issues of duplication of roles in existing agencies and agency territorial conflict issues that needed to be ironed out.
“As such, cabinet has approved that the draft bill will be held in abeyance until these issues are ironed out.”