10 Mar 2007

Fiji soldiers to be placed in govt departments and statutory bodies

6:05 am on 10 March 2007

Soldiers are to be placed in government departments and statutory bodies in Fiji's west to ensure compliance.

The Fiji Sun quotes a senior military officer at the Lautoka army barracks as saying there are reports of some people in various government departments who are trying to obstruct normal work.

He says soldiers will be placed in these departments and bodies to ensure that the government machinery is rolling smoothly.

The senior officer says soldiers will be given training and seconded to the Fiji National Provident Fund, the Land Transport Authority, Immigration and Customs departments and other bodies.

He says changes will also take place in the manning of roadside checkpoints with police taking over the visible role while soldiers will remain in their tents nearby ready to assist in case of need.

Troops will only accompany police on their raids if asked.