Serve interest of the state, says Basil

SENIOR heads of department and statutory bodies have been told to serve the interest of the state rather than of investors.
Minister for National Planning Sam Basil said this when the national executive council decided to suspend the managing director of the National Forest Authority Kanawi Pouru last week.
He said as chief executives and heads of government entities and departments, they were obliged to serve the government for the interest of the people and not the investors.
He said it had become apparent that major investors tried to manipulate the government and the systems but the government would not bow to such practices.
Basil said companies should also be warned not to undermine and try to indulge government officials into corrupt practices.
He said the government would not tolerate such practices of investors interfering with the government and undermining the systems in the country.
“Everyone has to work under the confines of the law and regulation of the country.
“Every public servant, senior bureaucrat and head of department to be mindful not to serve two masters as their public careers will be determined by how diligently they do their work,” he said.