Opposition MP Praveen Bala has dismissed assertions that he was authorized by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to be interviewed as the Minister for Housing concerning investigations into the Housing Authority during that period. The inquiry, conducted by the Office of the Auditor-General, focused on the unlawful allocation of lots and the misuse of the tender process.
During a speech in Parliament discussing a Review Report on the Housing Authority, Bala stated, “I was never asked to appear before the Committee.” He also urged the Assistant Minister for Finance and Chairperson of the PAC, Esrom Immanuel, to refrain from making broad statements in Parliament.
In response, Immanuel claimed that the Committee had sent an email to Bala, which was followed by a phone call from a Committee Member.
The investigation dealt with the illegal distribution of lots and the improper tender process, which led to the controversial ownership of lots by individuals and Housing Authority employees. Immanuel noted that the case emerged after public outcry directed at then Minister for Housing Premila Kumar, who requested a special investigation through the Board in conjunction with the Office of the Auditor-General, as authorized by Section 6(1)(d) of the Audit Act 1969.
Immanuel indicated that the investigation revealed that those implicated should face consequences to establish deterrence and convey proper disciplinary messages to both the public and Housing Authority staff. He reported that 60 cases are currently with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), with one case already going to court.
“We would like to see FICAC assist with the remaining cases,” Immanuel added.
The report has received commendation in Parliament, and under Standing Order 121(5), the Assistant Minister for Finance has proposed a motion to initiate debate on the report’s contents at a future sitting.