The Land Transport Authority took its officers on a corruption control drill on how best to handle and avoid corrupt activities in their work places.
The one day ‘Corruption Prevention and Risk Reduction Workshop’ provided an opportunity for about 30 officers to improve their service to Fijians through values such as honesty, integrity and with a customer-focused strategy.
LTA general manager (Road Safety) Mr Timoci Satakala told participants that such trainings has seen improved service delivery to members of the public in the past three years.
“While we are proud of what we have achieved on the anti-corruption front so far, today we are here to refine our efforts even further. LTA is like any other organization exposed to corrupt practices and so we’ve decided to provide adequate training to our staff to ensure that they are able to make the right decisions in all circumstances,” Mr Satakala said.
Mr Satakala added that this is also part of LTA’s efforts to ensure that all staff are well-versed with core functions of the organization.
“We want to put an end to road accidents, smoking and burning buses, and vehicles driven by appropriately trained drivers. We also want our customers to be assured of satisfaction for the services that we offer, and thereby have an incentive to comply,” Mr Satakala highlighted.
“While the LTA has made progress in terms of fighting corruption, the problem of inefficiency and susceptibility to outside pressures, remains a serious concern. We cannot sustainably fight corruption unless we reintroduce a sense of accountability—a sense that, if you commit an offence, you will be punished.
He stressed that there are no exceptions in the LTA’s campaign against corruption.
“The workshop today would also assist the participants identify areas that are most vulnerable or susceptible to corruption.”
Meanwhile, LTA media liaison officer Mr Iliesa Sokia said there are cases of impersonation, allegedly involving people from within the organization, which are being referred to the Police.
“LTA conducts internal investigations into matters related to corruption, as well as referring them to the police. We continue to encourage people to report corruption cases to us so that people involved are taken to task,” Mr Sokia said.
The training was organised in partnership with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.
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