29 Jan 2018

Tonga's PM accuses senior civil servants of being corrupt

3:50 pm on 29 January 2018

Tonga's Prime Minister has accused senior officials of abusing their positions and not following the government vision.

Tonga's caretaker PM 'Akilisi Pohiva

Tonga's caretaker PM 'Akilisi Pohiva Photo: RNZI/Monica Miller

'Akilisi Pohiva said some government officials did not work to the best of their ability because they didn't like him politically.

Mr Pohiva said the behaviour had to be stopped because it had caused the government to be dysfunctional.

He said the majority of people were ready to build the nation but that government was finding it difficult to move forward.

Kaniva News reported the Prime Minister as saying there was no use in the government having good policies when those who are required to implement them are corrupt.

Mr Pohiva claimed there was a political, social and business network involving members of the nobility which has "strongly influenced" officials.

He said the only projects that went well were ones that involved officials who were not corrupt.

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