13 Jan 2007

Fiji interim ministers told to focus on administration's mandate

8:46 am on 13 January 2007

Fiji's military commander and interim prime minister has warned ministers of his administration against serving their political interests.

Commodore Bainimarama has directed that all costs of any local travel by interim cabinet ministers which appear to be political must be met by the ministers themselves.

The Fijilive news website says such a directive is in line with the focus of the interim administration to cut the operating costs of the government.

The 15 interim ministers, most of whom have contested elections in the past, have been told that they should not have any political constituency interests.

They have been urged to focus on the mandate of the interim administration instead.

A government statement says the mandate is to steady the economy through sustained growth and correct the economic mismanagement of the past six years with the aim of raising the living standards of the poor and the underprivileged.