In a recent Parliament session, Education Minister Aseri Radrodro underscored the urgent need to prevent individuals involved in the mismanagement of taxpayer funds from participating in any future government-funded initiatives. This call to action comes in the wake of the ongoing investigation by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) into the Fiji National University’s Naiyaca Campus project in Labasa, which has faced serious allegations of financial mismanagement.
Minister Radrodro revealed that an independent audit conducted by KPMG identified critical issues regarding the handling of public funds allocated for the Naiyaca Campus, which is still under construction. The audit outlined significant shortcomings, including the absence of a detailed business case, insufficient feasibility studies, and governance failures within the Labasa project committee, which mainly consisted of council members. Notably, it was reported that the head of the construction implementation unit had an undue influence on the tender process for the main contractor, alongside other governance-related challenges, such as the selection of project management consultants.
Radrodro highlighted further areas of concern, including irregularities in the evaluation process of tenders, poor management of payment structures, and delays leading to the eventual termination of the main contractor. In response to the audit’s findings, FNU lodged a formal complaint with FICAC on July 30, 2024, and is currently awaiting the investigation’s outcome. The university aims to have the Naiyaca Campus operational by the first semester of 2027.
The Minister’s emphasis on monitoring government projects is echoed by Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad, who previously raised alarms about the trend of rushed and poorly executed government-funded projects. He also noted that numerous initiatives have suffered due to mismanagement, which resulted in significant financial wastage.
Both ministers convey a message of hope, stating that by learning from past errors, the government can improve strategic planning and oversight in future projects. This renewed focus on accountability and efficiency could facilitate better infrastructure and services for the people of Fiji, ultimately restoring public trust and ensuring effective use of taxpayer funds moving forward.
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