The ongoing tribunal hearings regarding Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa, the suspended Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, have revealed serious concerns about nepotism surrounding the appointment of his wife, Vakaloloma Nakarawa, as a nurse practitioner. Former FCS Assistant Commissioner, Salesia Racaca, testified that Dr. Nakarawa should not have participated in the endorsement process for her appointment, which purportedly breached the principles of transparency and integrity in public service.
Racaca, who claims she was dismissed under contentious circumstances, asserted that her objections regarding potential nepotism were not addressed properly when Vakaloloma applied for the role. She argued that Dr. Nakarawa failed to disclose his relationship and abstain from involvement in the decision-making process, which she claimed resulted in a flawed selection procedure. Dr. Nakarawa is alleged to have been directly involved in signing off on her appointment.
The tribunal, chaired by Justice Daniel Goundar and comprised of Justices Savenaca Banuve and Dane Tuiqereqere, is thoroughly investigating whether Dr. Nakarawa’s actions amount to misbehavior warranting his removal from office. This inquiry emerges amid a broader atmosphere of allegations regarding leadership mismanagement within the Fiji Corrections Service, characterized by previous accusations of dictatorial behavior by Dr. Nakarawa as outlined by Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga.
The hearings are part of a concerted effort to establish accountability and transparency within Fiji’s public institutions, a commitment reiterated by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka as the government aims to restore faith in governance. While the ongoing investigation does present serious allegations, there remains hope that it will foster necessary reforms within the Fiji Corrections Service, ultimately enhancing operational standards and rebuilding public trust.
Racaca is expected to continue her testimony in the coming sessions. The tribunal’s findings will be keenly watched as they may set important precedents for director appointments and governance practices within the Fiji public sector. This situation underscores the significance of ethical standards and transparency, which need to be upheld to maintain public confidence in government systems and operations.
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