Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad and Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry engaged in a heated exchange yesterday, with Mr. Chaudhry demanding that Prof. Prasad account for $500,000 in funds allocated for last year’s Girmit celebrations.
Prof. Prasad countered Mr. Chaudhry’s accusations, calling them lies and emphasizing that the funding had been approved by the Cabinet and other government ministries.
Mr. Chaudhry urged Prof. Prasad to release the accounts to the public and allow them to judge, insisting that the Government provide audited accounts of the event, which Prof. Prasad stated would not be disclosed publicly.
In a media briefing, Prof. Prasad criticized Mr. Chaudhry, saying, “Like any government expenditure, like any agreement, like any funding to any institution, there is a process that the Government and the Ministry of Finance, the Solicitor-General’s office deals with. Mahendra Chaudhry is lying about the Girmit funding, which was approved by the Cabinet, which had two components of Girmit celebration and Girmit conference, and this man, who himself is a convicted criminal, is lying about what happened.”
Prof. Prasad added that various agencies were investigating the allegations. “We have made this explanation many times. If he feels that there are agencies that are investigating, let them investigate, let them come out with it. Why is he jumping around?”
Mr. Chaudhry reiterated his call for Prof. Prasad to produce the Girmit Celebrations accounts for public scrutiny as promised by both him and the PM last year. “Let the people decide,” he said. “He gave $500,000 of public funds to a defunct organization and does not want to account for it now. That in itself speaks volumes. He should be removed as Finance Minister.”