PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i at Manoa

WHAT DO TUVALU CIVIL SERVANTS PROVIDE?

FUNAFUTI, Tuvalu (December 1998 - Tuvalu Echos)---There is considerable concern within government over what services civil servants actually deliver to the public.

This was the main thrust of a circular letter released by the Acting Secretary to Government, Lotoala Metia.

In his letter, Mr. Metia detailed recent complaints received from members of the public, showing that there is growing evidence that government offices are sometimes left empty, especially on days when the plane is scheduled to arrive at Funafuti.

The main concern seems to pertain to those civil servants who tend to make a habit of going to the terminal to see who is coming in by plane, thus leaving their offices empty and customers waiting to be served.

Mr. Metia, in his letter, urged all heads of government departments to ensure that officers within their departments are fully reminded of their primary role --to serve the public.

(Provided by Seve Paeniu.)