The 14 provincial councils in Fiji are facing criticism following a recent audit report that revealed persistent financial mismanagement over more than a decade. The Auditor-General’s report on financial statements spanning from December 31, 2013, to December 31, 2015, was presented in Parliament, highlighting full audit failures across 42 reports from the councils. All were assigned “disclaimer of opinions,” which denotes the most severe form of audit disapproval.
Assistant Minister of Finance Esrom Immanuel emphasized that these issues are not new, indicating a long historical pattern of inadequate financial handling that dates back to 2000 and may extend through 2024. He warned that such repeated failures could indicate fraud or serious deficiencies in leadership and organizational systems.
The audit findings pointed out various shortcomings, including poor record-keeping, insufficient disclosure, and unverifiable transactions due to limited auditing scope. The report urged immediate changes, including forensic audits and a revamp of leadership in councils that fail to meet financial standards.
Immanuel challenged the iTaukei Affairs Board and the provincial councils to act swiftly on the audit recommendations to restore integrity in financial reporting. He noted that without reform, public trust in government institutions may continue to erode.
This situation echoes themes found in previous reports by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, which have stressed the need for improvement in financial personnel qualifications and transparency. Substantial increases in financial allocations for the councils have added urgency to these issues.
The iTaukei Affairs Ministry has expressed optimism about enhancing financial management in provincial councils. Training programs and stricter recruitment guidelines for financial officers aim to improve record-keeping practices. Additionally, audits addressing a significant backlog are underway, reflecting ongoing efforts to address financial accountability.
As continual efforts unfold, there is a hopeful outlook that the municipalities can rectify their financial reporting deficiencies, ultimately restoring confidence among the communities they serve. Engaging in these needed reforms shows a path toward better governance and accountability in Fiji’s provincial councils.
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