Over the last five financial years, the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) has seen over $16 million in unutilized budgeted funds, with the most significant lapses occurring during the 2019-2020 financial year, amounting to $5.9 million. Subsequent years also recorded underspending, with $5 million in 2020-2021, $1.3 million in 2021-2022, and $4.6 million in 2022-2023.

Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Esrom Immanuel, highlighted that these unspent funds represented a missed opportunity for the government, suggesting that they could have been redirected to other ministries requiring financial support. Senior accounts officer for the FCS, John Kelepi, attributed the underspending primarily to staff resignations and terminations, which delayed the timely filling of vacant positions. However, he noted that the FCS has made strides in recent months, filling most vacancies through external advertisements and staff promotions.

Kelepi also mentioned that delays in completing construction projects had contributed to the underutilization, specifically citing the $1.8 million earmarked for building projects that faced setbacks, including the Northern Division headquarters in Labasa and improvements to burial grounds in Suva, both of which have now been completed.

Moreover, the FCS is currently undertaking a major restructuring initiative, supported by a recently completed Job Evaluation Exercise (JEE) that resulted in the creation of 81 new positions across various categories. This shift aims to enhance the organization’s effectiveness and service delivery in the future.

These developments demonstrate the FCS’s commitment to addressing operational challenges and maximizing the utility of allocated resources. The emphasis on filling vacant roles and completing projects reflects a proactive approach to not only improve staff morale but also enhance the overall performance of the corrections system. It is a hopeful sign that through these efforts, the Fiji Corrections Service can move toward a more efficient and responsive future, ensuring that the community’s needs are met effectively.