The following is the full text of a statement issued by the OPA

'Public Interest, Protection and Ethics Committee of the OPA studied this matter and reported to the Executive Council. Thereafter, it was discussed at length at the OPA-Forum on 24th February, 2003 and unanimously decided to communicate with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Administration, Management and Reforms.

OPA therefore resolves that private practice should not be extended to further categories and those categories enjoying the privilege at present should be phased out on the light of the following reasons:

• That state employees who are allowed to engage in private practice could use state property, state resources, their official position to benefit or confer an advantage on their private clients.

• That state employees if given this privilege could use their official position and influence to attract clients in the private sector, an unfair advantage they will have over their counterparts in the private sector.

• That if the state officials are allowed private practice, it could by virtue of their official position offer an advantage in public institutions to their private clients which they are not entitled to or confer undue priorities for service to such private clients.

• Conflict of interest arises from situation where state officials have a private interest, such as to influence or even appear to influence the impartial and objective performance of their official duties.

• They may engage in private practice neglecting official duties during the day time. As such, the out-put that is expected from such officers will not be received by the government. The officials may also use the government vehicles and other government property for such practices.

• If the government servants are allowed private practice the government could do away with the bribery commission, because there will be no need for the public servants to solicit a bribe to do a job of work as they could easily be a consultant to the private sector.

Having given due consideration to the above facts, OPA wishes to strongly advise the government that private practice should not be extended to further categories of officials of the government.,'