Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa, the Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS), has publicly addressed concerns raised by Justice Minister Siromi Turaga regarding alleged serious incidents within the Corrections Service. Minister Turaga suggested that these incidents under Dr. Nakarawa’s leadership necessitated an immediate investigation due to significant governance and security concerns.
In his response, Dr. Nakarawa emphasized that he had not been informed of any issues meriting scrutiny and indicated that the Corrections Act does not empower the Justice Minister to place a constitutional officer on leave without due process. He expressed that natural justice requires him to be notified of the allegations so that he may respond adequately.
Dr. Nakarawa also clarified that he is currently on leave and received a letter from the Minister mentioning the provisions of the Corrections Act that allow for an inquiry into the service. However, he pointed out that he remains unaware of any specific concerns that would warrant such an investigation.
As he considers his next steps, Dr. Nakarawa plans to prepare a response to the Minister’s letter while looking into other possible means of addressing the situation.
This situation underscores the importance of transparency and communication in governance. It’s essential for allegations to be clearly communicated to the individuals involved to ensure fair and just resolution processes.
In summary, Dr. Nakarawa is actively seeking to address the claims made against him and maintains his commitment to upholding the integrity of the Fiji Corrections Service. This situation, while challenging, could promote a necessary dialogue about governance practices within the corrections system that could lead to constructive outcomes.
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