The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has received over 60 cases of abuse of power and corruption involving the Housing Authority, indicating significant issues within the organization. These cases, which include suspected fraud and collusion, date back to 2010.
Esrom Emmanuel, chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, brought this to light in Parliament last week, criticizing the state of corporate governance, transparency, and accountability within the Housing Authority as “extremely weak, bordering on being pathetic.”
Emmanuel also pointed out that several files went missing during audit investigations. He stated that a thorough review of the Office of the Auditor-General’s findings highlighted serious deficiencies including the absence of a Conflict-of-Interest Policy, lack of proper verification, inadequate record-keeping, and evidence of power abuse and corruption.
He noted that not all tender documents related to lot developments from 2010 to the report’s date in 2020 were provided. Emmanuel emphasized that suspected fraud and collusion involving staff and their relatives should be reported to the appropriate authorities as the audit did not concentrate on legal non-compliance.
The Office of the Auditor-General faced challenges in its investigation as it was unable to interview two former key employees responsible for managing applicant selection and lot allocations. Furthermore, the Housing Authority could not supply documentation regarding ministerial approvals for customers earning over $50,000, particularly for submissions made in 2015 and 2016.
Missing files presented additional hurdles for investigators, with 12 customer files—six from Tacirua Subdivision and four from Matavolivoli Subdivision—not available for review. The absence of these files raised suspicions that Housing Authority staff were attempting to evade scrutiny.