A further investigation will be conducted regarding the procurement of goods and services related to the 52nd Asian Development Bank Annual General Meeting in 2019, focusing on potential mismanagement within the Ministry of Civil Services.
In Parliament, Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Esrom Immanuel, proposed a motion to discuss the findings of a special investigation report concerning the procurement processes associated with the ADB meeting.
The Ministry of Civil Service was tasked with organizing the international event, which drew over 3,000 participants from 76 nations. The former government allocated $10 million to fund the event; however, the final expenses reached $10.9 million, raising concerns about financial transparency and management.
The Assistant Minister for Finance indicated that the Auditor General’s report, which serves as the foundation for the investigation, highlights several serious issues, including potential fraud, violations of financial regulations, and conflicts of interest regarding vendor selections.
Key findings from the report suggest that the Office of the Auditor General identified substantial evidence of fraudulent activities linked to some payments. Immanuel noted that the investigation uncovered delays in contract processing for major events and inefficiencies in financial management.
He emphasized the significance of the investigation and the need for subsequent improvements but pointed out that the report was delayed. Although finalized in December 2020, it was not presented to Parliament until May 2023.
Immanuel stressed the importance of this investigation in fostering necessary reforms and called for ongoing oversight to avert future instances of financial mismanagement.
In related developments, Speaker Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu invoked Standing Order 20 to assign the matter to the public accounts sub-committee for a more in-depth investigation and will await their report.