THE Caretaker Government has come out strongly against two University of the South Pacific academics for making statements on the country's economic status. Permanent secretary in the prime minister's officer Jioji Kotabalavu has written to USP's vice-chancellor, Savenaca Siwatibau, informing him of the two academics presenting a seminar on the economic status of the country following the May 19 crisis.

Mr Kotabalavu had attached a report by Malakai Tadulala, a senior official in the PM's office on the presentations of the two academics. The two, from USP's Economics Department had shared their views on the economy at one of the Fiji National Council Training workshops on productivity last month.

Mr Tadulala in his report said: "It is now clear from the presentation of the two USP lecturers that these are the same group of academics who are trying very hard to discredit the good work of the present Interim/Caretaker Government in trying to revive and stabilise the Fiji's economy for the good of us all."

Mr Tadulala accused the two academics of publicly presenting misconceptions about the economy. However one of the two academics, Dr Mahendra Reddy, yesterday said his lecture at the FNTC workshop was based on information freely obtainable in the country.

Dr Reddy in his presentation had said: "No matter how much we harp on raising productivity, long run gains in it could only be achieved if stability and confidence in the economy is restored back in the country. "All stakeholders are concerned about their future in this country and no one is willing to make efforts to raise productivity when discrimination, nepotism, insecurity and lawlessness are the order of the day.

The employers are concerned about what will happen to their hard earned investments that they made after their day and nights sweating and the employees are concerned about rampant lawlessness and insecurity in the society. "For any Government's to deny this is beyond my comprehension. This is the reality and unless the Government of the day wakes up to it and tackles these issues head on, this country is doomed." Dr Reddy said the caretaker Government is being wrongly advised by its staff on certain matters including the economy. A faxed question sent to Mr Siwatibau remained unanswered.

The Daily Post