Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya has criticized Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communication Manoa Kamikamica for prematurely presenting the Investigation Report on Walesi PTE Limited to Parliament, particularly since the Government had previously decided to refer the matter to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). Koya expressed his concerns to FijiLive, stating that the Opposition could not adequately respond to Kamikamica’s Ministerial Statement because they had not seen the report prior to its presentation.
Koya emphasized that if the Government’s intention was to file the findings with FICAC, then discussing them in Parliament was inappropriate and could be perceived as politicizing the issue. He argued that it would have been better for the Government to remain silent on the report instead of discussing it in a parliamentary setting, particularly when the Opposition was left uninformed.
Despite these criticisms, the FICAC has confirmed that it has indeed received the investigation file from Kamikamica. FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali has since established a special task force to delve deeper into the issue, especially considering that a Special Audit Report by the Office of Auditor General revealed that the Government allocated $123.6 million for the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Project and the operations of Walesi PTE Limited from 2015 to 2022.
This development indicates a proactive approach by FICAC to ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of governmental funds.
In summary, while there are disputes about the timing and appropriateness of the report’s presentation, the engagement of FICAC and the establishment of a task force to investigate the matter further reflects a commitment to resolving any potential issues surrounding the financial management of the project. This situation could ultimately lead to greater accountability and improved governance moving forward.
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