Opposition MP Praveen Bala has dismissed assertions that he was authorized by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to discuss the investigations involving the Housing Authority while serving as the Minister for Housing.
The inquiry, conducted by the Office of the Auditor-General, focused on the illegal allocation of lots and misuse of the tender process within the Housing Authority. During a parliamentary discussion aimed at reviewing the Housing Authority, Bala stated, “I was never asked to appear before the Committee.”
Bala also urged the Assistant Minister for Finance and PAC Chairperson, Esrom Immanuel, to refrain from making broad claims in Parliament. However, Immanuel countered that the Committee had indeed reached out to Bala via email, followed by a phone call from a Committee member.
The investigation highlighted issues such as the improper allocation of lots and the exploitation of the tender process, which led to inappropriate ownership by individuals and Housing Authority employees. Immanuel noted that public complaints prompted the then Minister for Housing, Premila Kumar, to initiate a special investigation through the Board and the Office of the Auditor-General, a process permitted under Section 6(1)(d) of the Audit Act 1969.
Immanuel emphasized that findings from the investigation should prompt accountability as part of a necessary deterrent and discipline for both the public and Housing Authority employees. Currently, 60 cases are under review by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), with one case already proceeding to court.
“We would like to see FICAC facilitate the remaining cases,” stated Immanuel.
The report has been presented to Parliament, and under Standing Order 121(5), the Assistant Minister for Finance has proposed a motion to initiate a debate on the report’s findings in a future parliamentary session.