14 Apr 2009

Claiming normalcy in services, Fiji regime clamps down on public institutions

1:35 pm on 14 April 2009

There are conflicting reports from Fiji about the functioning of some key government and public institutions.

Security forces have taken over the premises of the Reserve Bank in Suva, with an unconfirmed report saying its governor, Savenaca Narube, has been sacked.

A bank statement says the deputy governor Sada Reddy has tightened exchange controls with immediate effect.

The office of the Fiji Human Rights Commission is also reported to be closed.

Its director, Shaista Shameem, has told Fijilive that police officers guarding the premises advised staff that the office wouldn't open.

However, the military commander and re-appointed interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama says the Civil Service, Statutory Organisations and all arms of Government will continue to function normally despite the abrogation of the 1997 Constitution.

Commodore Bainimarama says there will be many changes brought about in the coming days and weeks, which he says will be all for the good of the people and the country as a whole.

He said that the public need not worry about these changes as they are meant to improve the delivery of public services.

Although the media is censored, Commodore Bainimarama says the public will be kept fully informed through regular dissemination of information

by Ministers and civil servants.