Over 60 cases of abuse of power and corruption have been reported to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) by the Housing Authority, indicating significant issues within the organization. These cases, which include allegations of fraud and collusion, date back to 2010.
Esrom Emmanuel, the chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, disclosed this information in Parliament last week, criticizing the corporate governance, transparency, and accountability at the Housing Authority as extremely inadequate, labeling it “bordering on being pathetic.”
Emmanuel highlighted that during audit investigations, certain files inexplicably went missing. He noted that a detailed review of the Auditor-General’s investigation revealed severe deficiencies in governance, including a lack of a Conflict-of-Interest Policy, poor record-keeping, and incidents of power abuse and corruption. He pointed out that not all tender documents related to development projects from 2010 onward were provided.
Suspicion of fraud and collusion has arisen over staff members and their relatives allegedly benefiting from failures within the authority’s processes, which should be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. These agencies could access financial transaction information from other institutions. Following investigations, the Housing Authority referred over 60 cases to FICAC.
Emmanuel also stated that the Auditor-General’s office could not interview two former crucial employees responsible for applicant selection and lot allocation. Furthermore, essential documentation regarding ministerial approvals for customers earning above $50,000 was unavailable from the Housing Authority, and similar documentation was not provided by the Ministry of Housing and Community Development for submissions made in 2015 and 2016.
The Auditor-General’s officials encountered additional challenges due to missing files, including 12 customer files—six from Tacirua Subdivision and four from Matavolivoli Subdivision—that were not presented for review. The absence of these files raises concerns that Housing Authority staff may be attempting to evade scrutiny.