FijiFirst General Secretary and former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is currently being questioned at the CID Headquarters in Suva. Chief of Intelligence and Investigations ACP Sakeo Raikaci says this is a continuation of questioning in relation to allegations against Sayed-Khaiyum for approving the waiver of procurement processes in the purchase of medical equipment worth more than $500,000. Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Health Minister Dr. Neil Sharma were earlier questioned regarding the same matter. |
From Fijileaks Archives, 23 December 2016:The new Navua Hospital's kitchen and other areas are NOT COMPLIANT with Occupational Health and Safety standards. Both Bainimarama and Health Minister Rosy Akbar confirmed our claims. |
*In relation to her appeal for Fijians to pray for national stability, perhaps Ro Kepa should be reminded that national stability should first begin from her own home province and chiefly confederacy, Burebasaga, where chiefly instability seems deeply rooted: Me tekivu mada mai Jerusalemi. |
*Is this also why Ro Filipe Tuisawau, PAP’s Minister for Works, is being similarly discriminated against after moving from Sodelpa to PAP?
*Is this also the reason behind her sponsoring her chiefly supporters from Rewa, Ro Ilisoni Vuidreketi for appointment as Ambassador to Washington and Paula Navunisaravi as Ambassador to London to ensure that they continue to support her politically? And continue to split her province politically?
*Sodelpa’s Ro Kepa should seriously embark on some soul-searching and reconsider her continuing involvement in Fiji’s politics because her alleged discriminatory treatment of Ro Nauludole Mataitini, her Vunivalu, and Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Minister for Works, is a clear vindication of the growing commoner i-Taukei Fijian demands and calls for chiefs, especially Paramount Chiefs, to stay away from national politics.
*Ro Kepa was accompanied by another SODELPA election loser TANYA WAQANIKA, who had voted to go into Coalition with PAPand NFP.
*At last week's SODELPA Management Board Meeting, Waqanika moved a motion to have her appointed to the insolvent party's Human Resources Committee. We wonder if she is in violation of the Political Parties Act, for she is SODELPA's nominee to the ATH Board, a public listed company?
*While her subjects, according to the GCC and Coalition government, are living in POVERTY, Ro Kepa, in the signed coalition deal, will get over $400,000 in salary if she jets off to London as High Commissioner.
*She will get overseas living allowance pegged to the cost of living in London, subsidized fully furnished housing, linen and utensils and utilities like electricity bills, a nominal rent is charged based on the Fiji salary and deducted at source, chaffeured executive car with special Fiji number plate, all medical and dental costs for the family, a full-time maid which can be sourced from Fiji with transportation costs borne by the Fiji government.
*A fixed remuneration allowance is paid to cover costs, business class fares for whole family for all official travel, official entertainment allowance, free education for children at approved schools, and accompanying family includes anyone who is dependent of the official.
*However, Fijileaks understands that following uproar in her Vanua, SODELPA might push for the appointment of Ilisoni Vuidreketei (Ro Kepa's loyal herald who was manning the Los Angeles Trade and Tourism Office in the 1990s as Fiji's Ambassador to Washington, and Paula Navunisaravi (another mata ni vanua from Rewa) as High Commissioner to London but when the SODELPA had signed the coalition deal, PAP had offered Ro Kepa the London posting and the PRESIDENCY in 2024.
Welcome to CORRUPT Fiji where rank and greed for power rules the day
Fijileaks: SAILOSI NATAKU has confirmed to us authenticity of affidavit.
We, therefore, reproduce the affidavit and salute the COURAGE OF ONE MAN to go public with his allegations and, if TRUE, it could be a recipe for the RFMF to remove the wobbly three-legged scooter Coalition
Click below to listen to allegations
14 June 2023
Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) is committed to the Coalition Government. That’s the word from iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu after a meeting with its coalition partners yesterday to discuss issues raised by SODELPA members on certain aspects of the coalition agreement. “We are committed to the coalition and we will be there for the next three and a half years,” Mr Vasu said.
Fijileaks: In the last election, SODELPA fielded 54 candidates. According to the party, the candidates were expected to pay a levy of $3,000 each.
* 54 x 3000 = $162,000
*An inspection of Sodelpa's accounts to the Fiji Elections Office reveal only $129,000 as income in 2022.
*The balance of $33,000 owed by the candidates is not in the financial report submitted to the FEO on 26 April 2022.
*The 23 debtors owing $33,000 should have been included in the financial accounts prepared and submitted by I. Naiveli & Co.
*Who in the FEO and FIA vetted the submitted accounts?
*Did Sodelpa withhold from Naiveli the debtors list?
*Where are the candidate debtors in the current assets in the balance sheet?
*A total of 23 candidates still owed Sodelpa $33,000
*The FEO, I. Naiveli & Co and SODELPA must be reminded that undisclosed debt or omission to give the true and right reflection of party accounts is misrepresentation and fraud.
"The military must be able to “pay its way” when [Rabuka's Coalition] Government funds are scarce...The military, as with all arms of Government, needs to see its future activities as part of a more efficient and effective and fiscally responsible government delivering outcomes consistent with an agreed national vision and development plans built on that national vision."
RICHARD Naidu's Fiscal Review Commission Report, May 2023.
*The FRC doesn't mention the RFMF's constitutional role as mandated in the 2013 Constitution of Fiji
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/7/5/13759434/web-capture-11-6-2023-102929-www-fijivillage-com_orig.jpeg)
The role of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Great Council of Chiefs has been questioned at the Great Council of Chiefs Review consultation held at Nausori Village.
Ratu Jone Rasari of Verata Ucunivanua sought clarifications on Section 131 (2) of the 2013 Constitution, which states the overall responsibility of the RFMF is to ensure the security, defence, and well-being of Fiji and Fijians at all times.
In response, lawyer and Review Committee member Graham Leung says Section 131 of the constitution states that the military shall be responsible for the security and well-being of all the people of Fiji.
“That provision in the constitution is controversial, but I think there has been a misunderstanding of what that provision means. The army is subject to civilian authority, and when you look at the constitution as a whole, this country is governed by a government that has been established under the constitution.”
Leung further clarifies that in a Western surveillance democracy like Fiji, the elected government has executive powers, and all other institutions are subordinates and must listen to the government.
“So while there is some suggestion that Section 131 of the constitution gives the military certain powers with respect to national security and defence, that must be seen in the overall context of a democratic framework for governance.”
Ratu Jone Rasari of Verata Ucunivanua sought clarifications on Section 131 (2) of the 2013 Constitution, which states the overall responsibility of the RFMF is to ensure the security, defence, and well-being of Fiji and Fijians at all times.
In response, lawyer and Review Committee member Graham Leung says Section 131 of the constitution states that the military shall be responsible for the security and well-being of all the people of Fiji.
“That provision in the constitution is controversial, but I think there has been a misunderstanding of what that provision means. The army is subject to civilian authority, and when you look at the constitution as a whole, this country is governed by a government that has been established under the constitution.”
Leung further clarifies that in a Western surveillance democracy like Fiji, the elected government has executive powers, and all other institutions are subordinates and must listen to the government.
“So while there is some suggestion that Section 131 of the constitution gives the military certain powers with respect to national security and defence, that must be seen in the overall context of a democratic framework for governance.”
Fijileaks: We may recall that the former Fiji Law Society president Graham Leung was the Judge Advocate of the court martial panel that had tried the 20 soldiers convicted of mutiny in relation to the Speight coup of 2000.
*The Suva lawyer had been commissioned as an Army officer, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
*Before Leung’s appointment a row had broken out between
the then army Commander Frank Bainimarama and the Minister for Defence Josefa Vosanibola over the payment fees of $130,000 to Leung, with Bainimarama arguing that the payment to Leung was being made from the Army budget (still to be audited) and that the Ministry of Home Affairs had no say in the payment.
*Hundreds of top-secret RFMF files were leaked to our founding Editor-in-Chief shortly before and after the 2006 Coup
"Reviewing the current political landscape, I believe Mr Sitiveni Rabuka is the leader who will best be able to take Fiji forward and bring the changes that Fiji needs at this time."
Graham Leung before the 2022 general election
RESIGN: We repeat that BIMAN PRASAD must resign and Prasad, his wife Rajni, Ganesh Chand, Satya Nand Shandil, Pal Ahluwalia (re questions regarding the two-day international girmit conference at USP) and PP Director Peni Taoi be questioned by Fiji Police and FICAC.
*We have been reliably informed by Coalition government insiders that in April 2023, Cabinet had been persuaded to allocate $2.6million to a private entity, the Pacific Polytechnic, the brainchild of the former controversial FNU VC GANESH CHAND, who allegedly loaned $100,000 to the setting up of the PP, and also obtained $50,000 from TAIWAN.
*Scores of leaked emails, documents, contracts, exchanges between lawyers for PP and Sanatan Dharm, reveal that Coalition's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister BIMAN PRASAD was aware of the dispute with Sangam authorities who want to reclaim their properties occupied by PP that owes it $160,000 in rent arrears.
*As we pointed out, FIAS and Global Girmit Institute (Prasad, Rajni and Ganesh Chand) have close links with the Pacific Polytechnic Ltd.
*We will reveal documents where Chand has surrendered FIAS and its business to the Pacific Polytechnic Ltd.
"The cabinet has approved a joint proposal from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance to explore various options to support Pacific Polytech as Fiji is facing constraints in terms of availability of technical skills for its industry and public sectors.
While making an announcement on the decision following yesterday’s cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says unfortunately, the number of TVET graduates have declined consistently in Fiji during the last 5 to 6 years.
He says as such, there is a need to strengthen the technical, vocational education and training sector.
Rabuka says submissions from Pacific Polytech show that it has acquired four campuses in Tavua, Lautoka, Suva and Nausori and it intends to establish campuses around the country."
FijiVillage News, 29 March 2023
From Fijileaks Archive, 8 August 2020
From Fijileaks Archives, November 2015
In the e-mail below, Biman Prasad lists that he is Director, Fiji Institute of Applied Studies (FIAS).
*Are we to believe that his long-standing side-kick Ganesh Chand, a co-trustee with Rajni on re-registered GGI, didn't consult a former FIAS Director when he signed away FIAS activities to PP on 15 February 2023, the day Prasad announced $500,000 for the Girmit Day celebrations?
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/7/5/13759434/1365176789_orig.jpg)
"I attended the Easter weekend convention of the Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji since I wanted to support the Dreketi soccer team which was formed by the younger players living in Suva. I was impressed with the energy of the players and their enthusiasm towards community participation. While attending the soccer tournament, I had the opportunity to sit through the opening ceremony of the convention at the Shreedhar Maharaj College, in Nausori. A school named after a great Sanatani, moral and ethical community and religious leader and a businessman, the late Mr. Shreedhar Maharaj. The opening ceremony had a total of approximately 300 people who had congregated in the leaking and soggy shed; most of those who attended were women who had travelled from different districts to attend the convention. In fact, more people are usually present during individual Ramayan mandali gatherings around the country and in temples than the numbers that were present at the annual convention.
The presidential speech by Mr. Dewan Chand Maharaj was more like a talk given by some local community leader to primary school students on unity, HIV and how Sanatani’s should always promote unity and how women should behave in society. He even, wrongly stated that the President of Fiji was Ratu Epeli Ganilau. The Chief Guest Indian High Commissioner brought some respect back to the occasion by his very clear, concise and excellent speech about the role of Sanatani’s in Fiji and how they could contribute to building a multiracial Fiji. I believe the poor planning failed to attract a decent crowd to the convention, a direct reflection of very poor and pathetic leadership.
In fact the whole opening ceremony was a disgrace. I could not stop myself from reminiscing, the excellent leadership provided by people like Honourable Harish Sharma, Pt. Salik Ram Sharma and Mr. Surendra Kumar. Thousands of enthusiastic Sanatani’s used to attend the annual convention in the past.
The current leadership of the Sabha has put the whole organization to disrepute. One has to only compare ethical and professional leadership standards shown by other religious and cultural organizations in Fiji with what the Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha is able to put up. It then does not take long to understand why so many Sanatani’s have been put off by the current leadership. Many are disillusioned with the organization and have shied away from participating in its activities. What you hear from the ramblings of Mr. Vijendra Prakash and Mr. Dewan Maharaj is lectures to the ordinary members on how they should behave and not question them.
In addition, no one questions their individual loyalty and support to the Bainimarama government. However, Mr. Vijendra Prakash and Mr. Dewan Maharaj have given statements and dragged the Sabha into the political arena by openly declaring that the Sabha supports the government’s 2013 draft constitution. This is nothing short of misrepresenting the views of the ordinary members. Nothing was discussed about the draft Constitution at the convention yet Mr. Vijendra Prakash and Mr. Dewan Maharaj have gone openly to the media declaring the Sabah’s support for the draft constitution.
In fact they have gone against the government’s often stated position that religious organizations should remain apolitical.
The future of the Sanatan Dharam Prithinidhi Sabha looks grim. The organization led by Mr. Dewan Maharaj and his Secretary, Mr. Vijendra Prakash have managed to implement a new Constitution which has several undemocratic provisions. The election held on Sunday to elect the office bearers other than the President cannot be said to be fair and transparent. The General Secretary, Mr. Vijendra Prakash, who was contesting the election, was involved in the so called sorting/counting out of the votes.
Where are the moral and ethical standards of these officials who preach publicly about moral and ethical standards?
To add insult to injury to all the Sanatani’s in Fiji, a man who is currently before the court for presenting false transfer documents to transfer a temple property belonging to Shree Sanatan Dharam Nasea Ramayan Mandali to the Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, has been elected National President.
If he was a person with principles, he should have stood aside and let one of the senior Vice Presidents like Mr. Ashok Balgovind to act as President until his court case is resolved.
The trustees of the organization must act now and ask all the national officials to stand aside until an independent investigation is carried out on all the activities of the Sabha, its elections, its finances, processes and procedures. If the investigation shows irregularities in any aspect of the organization, especially in the process of adopting the new Constitution of the Sabha, the finances and the conduct of the elections, the office bearers should all be asked to resign and a fresh election be called. In fact they should hand over the leadership to the Trustees, after the failed convention. This would have saved the Sabha from further disunity and fragmentation.
The current leadership has presided over a most disunited organization since its inception. If the largest Hindu organisation in Fiji begins to put its leadership into the hands of a person who is currently before the court, and allows it to be run by unconstitutional, unethical and unclear means, it is unlikely to serve its members effectively."
Fijileaks Editor: The view expressed in this article does not reflect in anyway the view of Professor Prasad's employer, the University of the South Pacific.
The presidential speech by Mr. Dewan Chand Maharaj was more like a talk given by some local community leader to primary school students on unity, HIV and how Sanatani’s should always promote unity and how women should behave in society. He even, wrongly stated that the President of Fiji was Ratu Epeli Ganilau. The Chief Guest Indian High Commissioner brought some respect back to the occasion by his very clear, concise and excellent speech about the role of Sanatani’s in Fiji and how they could contribute to building a multiracial Fiji. I believe the poor planning failed to attract a decent crowd to the convention, a direct reflection of very poor and pathetic leadership.
In fact the whole opening ceremony was a disgrace. I could not stop myself from reminiscing, the excellent leadership provided by people like Honourable Harish Sharma, Pt. Salik Ram Sharma and Mr. Surendra Kumar. Thousands of enthusiastic Sanatani’s used to attend the annual convention in the past.
The current leadership of the Sabha has put the whole organization to disrepute. One has to only compare ethical and professional leadership standards shown by other religious and cultural organizations in Fiji with what the Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha is able to put up. It then does not take long to understand why so many Sanatani’s have been put off by the current leadership. Many are disillusioned with the organization and have shied away from participating in its activities. What you hear from the ramblings of Mr. Vijendra Prakash and Mr. Dewan Maharaj is lectures to the ordinary members on how they should behave and not question them.
In addition, no one questions their individual loyalty and support to the Bainimarama government. However, Mr. Vijendra Prakash and Mr. Dewan Maharaj have given statements and dragged the Sabha into the political arena by openly declaring that the Sabha supports the government’s 2013 draft constitution. This is nothing short of misrepresenting the views of the ordinary members. Nothing was discussed about the draft Constitution at the convention yet Mr. Vijendra Prakash and Mr. Dewan Maharaj have gone openly to the media declaring the Sabah’s support for the draft constitution.
In fact they have gone against the government’s often stated position that religious organizations should remain apolitical.
The future of the Sanatan Dharam Prithinidhi Sabha looks grim. The organization led by Mr. Dewan Maharaj and his Secretary, Mr. Vijendra Prakash have managed to implement a new Constitution which has several undemocratic provisions. The election held on Sunday to elect the office bearers other than the President cannot be said to be fair and transparent. The General Secretary, Mr. Vijendra Prakash, who was contesting the election, was involved in the so called sorting/counting out of the votes.
Where are the moral and ethical standards of these officials who preach publicly about moral and ethical standards?
To add insult to injury to all the Sanatani’s in Fiji, a man who is currently before the court for presenting false transfer documents to transfer a temple property belonging to Shree Sanatan Dharam Nasea Ramayan Mandali to the Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, has been elected National President.
If he was a person with principles, he should have stood aside and let one of the senior Vice Presidents like Mr. Ashok Balgovind to act as President until his court case is resolved.
The trustees of the organization must act now and ask all the national officials to stand aside until an independent investigation is carried out on all the activities of the Sabha, its elections, its finances, processes and procedures. If the investigation shows irregularities in any aspect of the organization, especially in the process of adopting the new Constitution of the Sabha, the finances and the conduct of the elections, the office bearers should all be asked to resign and a fresh election be called. In fact they should hand over the leadership to the Trustees, after the failed convention. This would have saved the Sabha from further disunity and fragmentation.
The current leadership has presided over a most disunited organization since its inception. If the largest Hindu organisation in Fiji begins to put its leadership into the hands of a person who is currently before the court, and allows it to be run by unconstitutional, unethical and unclear means, it is unlikely to serve its members effectively."
Fijileaks Editor: The view expressed in this article does not reflect in anyway the view of Professor Prasad's employer, the University of the South Pacific.
"Labour categorically rejects the FRC recommendation for a flat rate of 14% VAT across the board which removes the current VAT exemption from basic food items, medicines, baby food and 21 other household items. It will be a severe blow to the poor – particularly families on low incomes who constitute almost 70% of the population. It will drive more people into the poverty net. Most of the recommendations in the Fiscal Review Committee report favour the rich. Its impact will be felt across all sections of the economy, fuelling inflation and cost of living increases."
FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry
Fijileaks: Like the old East Germany, Naidu's FRC Report will split Fijians into two halves - between the rich and the poor - just like the old Trabant, Communist East Germany's answer to the Volkswagen, that Naidu was enjoying on 3 June 2023, after signing off his FRC Report on 31 May.
*Or did he leave for Europe/Eastern Europe before 31st May, for he was already posting a tongue-in-cheek response on his Facebook from Estonian capital Tallinn on 28 May 2023.
*When did the self-proclaimed CONVICTED LAWYER fly out of Fiji to experience "must -do event in Berlin, Germany - the Trabi Tour"?
Who can envy the wealthy corporate lawyer but go ask Fiji's POOR?
DEPARTURE TAX: "Those who travel (whether visitors or Fiji citizens) generally have the disposable income to do so. So there are good arguments, having regard to the principles of equity and sustainable revenue, to increase Departure Tax. The question is when and by how much. 4.128 We believe that the Departure Tax can return to its $200 rate over time. At this point the Committee is suggesting progressive increases to $150 and ultimately $200 by 1 April 2025." Naidu's FRC Report, 31 May 2023
"The Committee, made up of the 14 people named below, convened for the first time on 7 March 2023 and concluded its work on 18 May 2023, when the Report was handed in draft to the Minister of Finance for verification and feedback. The feedback received from the Ministry improved its accuracy and focus but the Ministry did not seek at any stage to influence the conclusions of the Committee." |
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/7/5/13759434/web-capture-9-6-2023-111759-www-facebook-com_orig.jpeg)
FRC Report favours the rich, penalises the poor
The Fiscal Review Committee (FRC) Report is Finance Minister Biman Prasad’s gift to the rich while penalising the poor, says Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry.
Biman will, of course, say that it’s not me, it’s the FRC. But it was he who commissioned the FRC and appointed its members – its chair, a proposed NFP candidate for the 2022 general elections who subsequently withdrew his candidature.
The National Economic Summit and the FRC were a prelude to his upcoming Budget – a move to pre-empt its direction, we believe.
Labour categorically rejects the FRC recommendation for a flat rate of 14% VAT across the board which removes the current VAT exemption from basic food items, medicines, baby food and 21 other household items.
“It will be a severe blow to the poor – particularly families on low incomes who constitute almost 70% of the population. It will drive more people into the poverty net,” warns Mr Chaudhry. ‘
“Most of the recommendations in the Fiscal Review Committee report favour the rich,” Mr Chaudhry added.
Its impact will be felt across all sections of the economy, fuelling inflation and cost of living increases.
It’s bad for businesses and the economy as a whole. It will add substantial costs to businesses, eroding their competitiveness and returns in both the local and export markets.
Mr Chaudhry said the $500m in revenue the Committee says the increase will generate is debatable, viewed against the additional government expenditure that it will entail. It is also highly likely that most of it will be spent in the unproductive sectors of the economy.
The recommendation is counter-productive as sharp increases in living costs will lead to renewed demands for salary and wage increases creating an inflationary spiral.
The government itself will become its victim having to incur millions in settling pending pay increase claims of public sector unions. The private sector too will be hit hard by its cascading effects.
The FRC has not considered removing the anomalies in taxation that favour the wealthy- like taxing dividend income or increasing the personal tax rates applicable to those earning over $50k or hiking the capital gains tax.
“ Overall, the recommendations of the report have political implications the Coalition must seriously consider.
“It would not be in their best interests to jettison their campaign promises to bring down the cost of living, by adopting a short-sighted Report likely to create more problems than it will solve,” Mr Chaudhry said.
The Fiscal Review Committee (FRC) Report is Finance Minister Biman Prasad’s gift to the rich while penalising the poor, says Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry.
Biman will, of course, say that it’s not me, it’s the FRC. But it was he who commissioned the FRC and appointed its members – its chair, a proposed NFP candidate for the 2022 general elections who subsequently withdrew his candidature.
The National Economic Summit and the FRC were a prelude to his upcoming Budget – a move to pre-empt its direction, we believe.
Labour categorically rejects the FRC recommendation for a flat rate of 14% VAT across the board which removes the current VAT exemption from basic food items, medicines, baby food and 21 other household items.
“It will be a severe blow to the poor – particularly families on low incomes who constitute almost 70% of the population. It will drive more people into the poverty net,” warns Mr Chaudhry. ‘
“Most of the recommendations in the Fiscal Review Committee report favour the rich,” Mr Chaudhry added.
Its impact will be felt across all sections of the economy, fuelling inflation and cost of living increases.
It’s bad for businesses and the economy as a whole. It will add substantial costs to businesses, eroding their competitiveness and returns in both the local and export markets.
Mr Chaudhry said the $500m in revenue the Committee says the increase will generate is debatable, viewed against the additional government expenditure that it will entail. It is also highly likely that most of it will be spent in the unproductive sectors of the economy.
The recommendation is counter-productive as sharp increases in living costs will lead to renewed demands for salary and wage increases creating an inflationary spiral.
The government itself will become its victim having to incur millions in settling pending pay increase claims of public sector unions. The private sector too will be hit hard by its cascading effects.
The FRC has not considered removing the anomalies in taxation that favour the wealthy- like taxing dividend income or increasing the personal tax rates applicable to those earning over $50k or hiking the capital gains tax.
“ Overall, the recommendations of the report have political implications the Coalition must seriously consider.
“It would not be in their best interests to jettison their campaign promises to bring down the cost of living, by adopting a short-sighted Report likely to create more problems than it will solve,” Mr Chaudhry said.
The FRC Committee had 14 members:
•(Chair) Richard Naidu– Commercial and taxation lawyer and a partner of the law firm of Munro Leys
•(Deputy Chair) Lisa Apted – partner of KPMG Fiji, chartered accountant and tax professional (sister of Jon Apted who is partner, Munro Leys)
•Reaaz Ali – company Director and entrepreneur from Nadi
•Vani Catanisiga – Co-ordinator of the Fiji Council of Social Services
•Edwin Chand – a company director and businessman from Labasa
•Neelesh Gounder – Economist and Deputy Head of School (Research) at the School of Accounting, Finance and Economics at The University of the South Pacific
•Matelita Katamotu – a business adviser and eco-tourism entrepreneur in Namosi
•Fantasha Lockington – Executive Director of Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association
•Kirti Patel – Librarian and community activist from Lautoka
•Pradeep Patel – Partner of BDO Fiji, a chartered accountant and tax professional
•Naibuka Saune – Chief Executive of Merchant Finance Limited
•Viliame Takayawa – A company Director and member of the SODELPA Management Board
•Barry Whiteside – A company Director and former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji
•Mereia Volavola – A business consultant and former chief executive of the Capital Markets Development Authority.
*Most were welcome appointments but we also have NFP lackey and USP economist Goundar, the librarian and failed NFP candidate Kirti Patel (141 Votes), Labasa businessman Edwin Chand, son of failed NFP candidate Pramod Chand.
Welcome to Prasad's new Fiji, Oops, Khaiyum's 'Old Crony Fiji'
Fiji Roads Authority:
"The [FRC] Committee was surprised to hear from the Fiji Roads Authority, which is budgeted to receive upwards of $400 million a year for capital and maintenance work on major roads, that FRA had no strategic plan; projects were selected by senior management and spending allocated on the basis of six-monthly grants allocated to it by the Ministry of Finance (in common with organisations such as WAF and the LTA). It agreed that this made long-term planning difficult."
The FRC Report, 31 May 2023
An investigation will be carried out in the cash flow issues and budget overspending.
The statement says FRA is currently facing a cash flow issue with its current Capital Expenditure (2022/23) of $350 million spent by December 2022.
In addition, and as at 30th April, 2023, the FRA still owes $38 million to 13 Contractors which is forecast to reach $55 million by June 30th. The Board has noted that there is no Strategic Plan in place, as the continued deterioration of our road network daily indicates a lack of planning, compounded by mismanagement by the Minister of Economy in the FijiFirst Government.
The Board has taken swift action to address this serious matter and is in full consultation with the Ministry of Finance. The Board has also consulted with FRA contractors. Ro Filipe says he has also initiated discussions with development partners in terms of supporting the infrastructure needs, who have responded positively. Ro Filipe further states a few major projects have been delayed resulting in contractors seeking variation payments to the contracted sum.
In this regard, he adds the Board will carry out an audit to justify substantial cost increases.
Ro Filipe further states a Whistle Blower report has been received by the Board alleging malpractices within the organization.
He has ordered a full investigation which will be carried out by the FRA Board.
Ro Filipe says regretfully, Public Works as a sector and Ministry has been seriously decimated in terms of intellectual capacity and assets by the FijiFirst Government for the last 16 years.
He adds the FijiFirst Government must explain where all Public Works Department assets went to.
Ro Filipe says there are other audit issues and reports, of which he will advise the people as they progress in their reform and re-set programme.
The statement says FRA is currently facing a cash flow issue with its current Capital Expenditure (2022/23) of $350 million spent by December 2022.
In addition, and as at 30th April, 2023, the FRA still owes $38 million to 13 Contractors which is forecast to reach $55 million by June 30th. The Board has noted that there is no Strategic Plan in place, as the continued deterioration of our road network daily indicates a lack of planning, compounded by mismanagement by the Minister of Economy in the FijiFirst Government.
The Board has taken swift action to address this serious matter and is in full consultation with the Ministry of Finance. The Board has also consulted with FRA contractors. Ro Filipe says he has also initiated discussions with development partners in terms of supporting the infrastructure needs, who have responded positively. Ro Filipe further states a few major projects have been delayed resulting in contractors seeking variation payments to the contracted sum.
In this regard, he adds the Board will carry out an audit to justify substantial cost increases.
Ro Filipe further states a Whistle Blower report has been received by the Board alleging malpractices within the organization.
He has ordered a full investigation which will be carried out by the FRA Board.
Ro Filipe says regretfully, Public Works as a sector and Ministry has been seriously decimated in terms of intellectual capacity and assets by the FijiFirst Government for the last 16 years.
He adds the FijiFirst Government must explain where all Public Works Department assets went to.
Ro Filipe says there are other audit issues and reports, of which he will advise the people as they progress in their reform and re-set programme.
[email protected]
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