Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya has criticized Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communication Manoa Kamikamica for what he perceives as an untimely disclosure of the Investigation Report regarding Walesi PTE Limited. Koya argues that it was inappropriate for Kamikamica to deliver this report in Parliament, especially since the government plans to refer the findings to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
In remarks to FijiLive, Koya expressed frustration that the Opposition had not been granted access to the report prior to the ministerial statement, which hindered their ability to engage meaningfully in the discussion. He suggested that if the government was serious about addressing the concerns raised in the report, it should not have presented it in Parliament, likening the situation to a political game.
Koya emphasized that more discretion should have been exercised, implying that the government’s actions might compromise the integrity of the ongoing investigations. He pointed out, “The right approach would have been to refrain from making a statement at all since the matter was referred to FICAC.”
The situation took a turn when FICAC announced that they have indeed received the report from Kamikamica. FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali revealed that a special task force has been designated to investigate the findings of a Special Audit Report from the Office of Auditor General, which flagged $123.6 million in government spending for the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Project and the management of Walesi PTE LTD between 2015 and 2022.
This development marks a crucial step in ensuring accountability, as FICAC’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the allegations. The integrity of public funds is vital for the continued trust in governmental processes, and with FICAC stepping in, there is hope for a thorough investigation that may lead to the necessary reforms and actions to uphold transparency in governance.
In summary, Faiyaz Koya’s concerns highlight the complexities involved in the communication of sensitive information within government proceedings, while the involvement of FICAC signals a commitment to address these issues professionally. Moving forward, this could pave the way for more stringent checks and balances in government spending.
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