The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has announced that it has received an audited report concerning Walesi from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communication, Manoa Kamikamica. The Commission emphasized its commitment to treat this matter with high priority and adhere to its established processes.
The submitted report consists of two segments: a Technical Assessment of Fiji’s Digital Television Transmission Setup and a Special Audit concerning Walesi’s Financial Management and Government activities. FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali has established a special task force to delve into the issues raised, particularly as the Audit Office reported that the government allocated $123.6 million for the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Project and Walesi PTE LTD operations from 2015 to 2022.
This topic holds significant national interest, having been discussed in Parliament during a recent Ministerial Statement by Kamikamica regarding the Walesi investigation. Malimali has appointed Assistant Manager of the Economic Crimes Unit, Alifereti Wakanivesi, to lead the investigation, which started immediately.
This investigation underscores the commitment of FICAC to uphold integrity in public spending and governance, reflecting a proactive approach towards transparency and accountability in Fiji’s digital infrastructure initiatives.
Summary: FICAC has received an audited report on Walesi, consisting of a technical assessment and financial audit. A special task force has been created to investigate issues arising from the report, particularly concerning a significant amount of government funding allocated to the Digital Terrestrial Television Project from 2015 to 2022.
This situation presents an opportunity for positive change in governance and public trust in Fiji’s institutions.
Leave a comment