Over 60 cases of alleged abuse of power and corruption have been reported to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) by the Housing Authority, indicating significant problems within the organization. These cases, some involving suspected fraud and collusion, trace back to 2010.
Esrom Emmanuel, the chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, disclosed this information in Parliament last week, criticizing the state of corporate governance, transparency, and accountability within the Housing Authority as “extremely weak” and “bordering on being pathetic.” He noted that some important files vanished during audit investigations.
Emmanuel stated that a detailed review of the Office of the Auditor-General’s findings indicated serious deficiencies in corporate governance, the absence of a Conflict-of-Interest Policy, insufficient verification procedures, poor record-keeping, and ongoing issues of abuse and corruption. He pointed out that not all tender documents from 2010 onward were made available for the development of lots, further complicating the situation.
He emphasized the need for relevant authorities to address suspected fraud and collusion, particularly where Housing Authority staff and their relatives may have benefited from systemic failures. The audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor-General did not explore legal non-compliance, and he highlighted that over 60 cases had been referred to FICAC based on these findings.
Further complicating matters, the Office of the Auditor-General could not interview two former key employees responsible for applicant selection and lot allocation. Additionally, documentation needed for ministerial approval for clients earning over $50,000 was not provided by the Housing Authority or the Ministry of Housing and Community Development for submissions made in 2015 and 2016.
Emmanuel also mentioned that the absence of 12 customer files, including those tied to the Tacirua and Matavolivoli subdivisions, raised suspicion that staff might be attempting to evade investigation.