Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya has expressed concerns regarding the presentation of the Investigation Report into Walesi PTE Limited by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communication Manoa Kamikamica to Parliament. Koya believes it was premature to do so, especially since the Government planned to refer the matter to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
In remarks to FijiLive, Koya stated that the Opposition was unable to respond meaningfully to Kamikamica’s Ministerial Statement because they had not been given access to the report prior to its presentation. He criticized the Government’s decision to publicize the findings in Parliament, suggesting that it trivialized a serious issue and treated it as a political tool rather than a matter of public concern.
Koya suggested that if the intention was to refer to FICAC, the Government should have refrained from making a statement altogether to avoid unnecessary political grandstanding. He emphasized the unfairness of the situation, noting that the Opposition had no prior knowledge of the report’s content.
However, the situation took a turn when FICAC confirmed later in the day that they had received the investigation files from Kamikamica. FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali announced the establishment of a special task force to look into the issue, particularly in light of a Special Audit Report from the Office of Auditor General that highlighted a substantial $123.6 million disbursement by the Government for the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Project and the operations of Walesi PTE LTD from 2015 to 2022.
This unfolding situation highlights the importance of transparency and due process in government operations, particularly when large sums of public money are involved. With FICAC now taking the lead, there remains hope that the investigation will bring clarity and accountability to this matter.
Summary: Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya criticized the Deputy Prime Minister for presenting an investigation report on Walesi PTE Limited to Parliament prematurely, as the Opposition had not seen the report. Despite concerns over political maneuvering, FICAC confirmed it received the matter for further investigation, promising to ensure accountability regarding the significant funds disbursed for the Digital Terrestrial Television project.
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