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Military Accountability Under Fire: Decade-Long Audit Failures Exposed

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The military, specifically the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), is facing scrutiny due to its failure to submit audited annual reports to Parliament for approximately ten years. This oversight is particularly concerning as the RFMF receives a significant portion of its funding from taxpayer money.

During a recent session held in Suva, senior RFMF officials were questioned by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence regarding the lapse in reporting. Deputy chairperson Lenora Qereqeretabua pressed the RFMF officials on the last instance an audited report was presented to Parliament, to which Brigadier-General Sapenafa Motufaga, the chief of staff, admitted that he was unsure, mentioning that it could have been as far back as 2005.

Qereqeretabua highlighted the importance of accountability, noting that the RFMF commands the largest block of government funding in the budget. She urged the military to explain the delay in reporting how these funds are utilized. Brig-Gen Motufaga acknowledged his inability to address the historical issues directly since he took office in 2021, but assured that the RFMF undergoes annual financial audits conducted by the Government.

The committee also pointed out the absence of audited financial reports for the year 2019/2020. Major Savenaca Rabuka from the RFMF indicated that they had not received a published audit report from the Auditor-General.

In efforts to enhance transparency, the committee recommended that the RFMF provide uniform annual reports moving forward. This recommendation reflects a broader push for accountability within government-funded entities, reinforcing the expectation that taxpayer resources are managed transparently and responsibly.

In light of this situation, there is a hopeful outlook that these discussions will lead to improved financial oversight and accountability within the RFMF, fostering greater public trust in the military’s management of public funds.

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