The Accident Compensation Commission Fiji (ACCF) reports a bold, lean-efficiency approach that is reshaping its operations and government spending. Chair Maritino Nemani told Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee that the commission has saved the government about half a million dollars by not appointing a Chief Executive Officer since 2024, and that cost-cutting measures have driven total savings of nearly $1.4 million to date.
Nemani stressed the savings are not a reflection of any shortcoming by the former CEO. “The former CEO was the right fit at the time and laid important foundations,” he said, but the ACCF has since demonstrated it can manage more efficiently and at a lower cost while maintaining quality of service.
A key move cited by Nemani is the cancellation of the contract with private enforcement firm Varitas. Ending that engagement—whose enforcement role was already being handled by the Ministry—saved about $900,000. The commission has since restructured its internal operations, moving most functions to a smaller in-house team and bringing some back to the Ministry. He noted that many staff are delivering proper services without receiving extra allowances, emphasizing a deliberate shift toward streamlined processes and faster, more cost-effective delivery.
The ACCF leadership model—eschewing a traditional CEO structure in favor of a lean governance approach—has drawn attention as a potential example for cost-effective public administration. The changes reflect a broader government push to optimize public resources and improve efficiency in the delivery of compensation services.
These moves come within a wider context of reforms in Fiji’s compensation framework. Earlier measures involved transferring employment-related claims to the Ministry of Employment to reduce duplication and improve efficiency, a shift that has already seen significant backlogs addressed and annual savings realized. The government is also continuing to focus resources on motor vehicle-related claims, supported by ongoing policy reviews and capacity-building efforts across agencies.
Overall, the ACCF’s experience illustrates how targeted restructuring and careful contract management can yield meaningful savings while preserving service quality. The leadership’s willingness to streamline, reallocate tasks to the Ministry, and rely on a smaller core team signals a proactive approach to governance that could influence how similar agencies operate in the future.
Notes for readers:
– Savings highlighted include approximately $500,000 saved by not appointing a CEO since 2024, and nearly $1.4 million in total cost savings from various measures.
– A major saving also comes from cancelling the Varitas enforcement contract, shifting responsibilities to the Ministry.
– The commission is continuing to refine its role, with an emphasis on no-fault motor vehicle accident processing and other efficiencies.
In summary, ACCF’s move toward lean governance and internal restructuring aims to maintain service standards while delivering stronger value for taxpayers and the public it serves.
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