A project management contract valued at $3.6 million for Walesi Fiji was awarded without a formal tender process, as revealed during a special audit presented in Parliament by Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica.
The audit focused on the Digital Television Transmission Setup project, and Kamikamica highlighted several significant issues surrounding the contract. He noted that the contract had vague deliverables, lacked a clear closure date, and did not specify cost limits, raising concerns about project oversight.
The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out four critical failures identified in the audit: inconsistent progress reports were submitted to the board, there was no documentation providing evidence on whether project costs were adequately monitored, no status reports or project closures were issued upon the consultant’s departure, and there was a lack of appropriate handover procedures when the contract ended.
Kamikamica expressed deep concern over the findings, describing them as a troubling indication of mismanagement and misuse of public funds. He emphasized that these revelations reflect a troubling history of inefficient resource utilization, but he reassured that steps will be taken to address these issues and restore accountability.
This situation illustrates the importance of transparency and proper management in public projects. As efforts are made to rectify these past mistakes, there is an opportunity for improved governance and revitalization of public trust.
In summary, while the situation surrounding the Walesi Fiji contract raises serious concerns about oversight and management, it also opens a pathway for necessary reforms that could enhance accountability and ensure responsible use of public resources moving forward.
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