Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya has criticized Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications, Manoa Kamikamica, for prematurely presenting the Investigation Report concerning Walesi PTE Limited to Parliament. Koya argues that this disclosure was unnecessary since the Government intends to refer the matter to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
In a statement to FijiLive, Koya emphasized that the Opposition was not able to adequately respond to Kamikamica’s Ministerial Statement as they had not been given access to the report prior to its presentation. He stated that if the Government had plans to submit its findings to FICAC, then discussing them in Parliament clouded the issue and politicized the matter.
Koya expressed concern over the procedure, suggesting that it would have been more appropriate for the Government to refrain from making a public statement regarding the report, especially since the Opposition was not informed of its contents. He noted that by revealing the details of the report in Parliament while simultaneously referring the case to FICAC, Kamikamica’s actions seemed unclear in intent.
Nevertheless, the FICAC confirmed that it has received the report from Kamikamica and has established a special task force to investigate the findings. This task force will review a Special Audit Report from the Office of the Auditor General, which highlighted that a total of $123.6 million was allocated for the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Project and the operations of Walesi PTE LTD between 2015 and 2022.
This development points to a determined effort by FICAC to address potential issues related to the allocation of government funds. It showcases a commitment to transparency and accountability, assuring the public that any irregularities will be thoroughly investigated. Such actions could foster greater trust in governmental institutions and create a pathway for reform and improvement in public spending practices.
In summary, while the political discourse may seem contentious, the involvement of FICAC indicates a proactive approach to ensuring that taxpayer funds are managed properly, ultimately contributing to good governance.
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