Forestry officials call for end to corruption

17 May 2016
Forestry officials call for end to corruption

Forestry department staff will submit an 8-point demand calling for the control and eradication of corruption.
The natural resources and environment conservation department director general Nyi Nyi Kyaw speaking at a forest resources sustainability workshop held on May 15 said that the demand would be discussed with union ministers and would be presented to parliament.  
This 8-point demand calls for better pay and allowances to public servants, action against both sides in relation to corruption i.e. takers and givers, establishing an effective complaints system, issuing department policy and procedures for public awareness, relaxing and decentralizing procedures, and having an independent monitoring team to control and eradicate corruption in the department. 
One former forestry official said that most corrupt officials in the forestry department were high ranking officials and they took large amount of bribes in relation to forest products extraction and sale. Lower ranking officials were only involved in small scale corruption such as collecting protection money from smugglers. 
Director General Nyi Nyi Kyaw said that government staff should have good morals as the first phase in controlling corruption in the department.