The National Federation Party (NFP) has responded to recent claims made by Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry concerning government grants allocated to Pacific Polytech. NFP president Parmod Chand stated that the national budgets, which included these grants, were thoroughly scrutinized and received Cabinet approval.
Chand’s remarks come after Chaudhry posted on social media alleging that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) had decided not to release a $7 million grant, which he claimed was unlawfully allocated by former Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad in the 2025–2026 Budget. In contrast, Chand emphasized that the process behind the allocated grants to Pacific Polytech involved transparency and was handled with accountability.
He explained that the grants were reviewed by a high-powered Cabinet sub-committee before receiving full Cabinet approval and were subsequently announced in Parliament. “This is what transparency and accountability is about in a genuine democracy,” Chand asserted. He noted that the $7 million grant allocated was significantly lower than the amount initially requested from the HEC, a fact he supported with verified documentation rather than leaked materials.
According to Chand, the HEC itself requested the Finance Ministry to allocate the grant, which was thoroughly debated and scrutinized before Parliament approved it.
In response, Chaudhry maintained that the Finance Ministry must adhere to statutory requirements and uphold principles of transparency and accountability. He has called for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged unlawful allocation of $13 million to Pacific Polytech since 2023, emphasizing the findings of a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Affairs that called for an investigation last October.
Chaudhry also highlighted that complaints had been lodged with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) regarding this funding issue and indicated that Pacific Polytech is currently facing significant financial difficulties, struggling to pay staff salaries due to the halted funding.
As of the time of publication, questions directed to the Higher Education Commission had not received a response. The ongoing debate highlights the critical need for transparency and diligence within public funding processes, underscoring the importance of accountability in financial governance.
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