More than 60 cases of alleged abuse of power and corruption have been reported to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) by the Housing Authority, indicating the presence of deep-seated issues within the organization. These cases, which include suspected fraud and collusion, date back to 2010.
Esrom Emmanuel, the chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, disclosed this information during a recent session of Parliament, describing the levels of corporate governance, transparency, and accountability within the Housing Authority as extremely weak, almost “pathetic.” He noted that some files had mysteriously disappeared during audit investigations.
Emmanuel stated, “A comprehensive review of the Office of the Auditor-General’s investigation results revealed significant weaknesses in corporate governance, transparency, and accountability at the Housing Authority. There is also an absence of a Conflict-of-Interest Policy, inadequate verification processes, poor record-keeping, and signs of corruption and abuse of power.”
He pointed out that not all tender documents related to lot developments from 2010 through 2020 were submitted. He argued that cases of suspected fraud and collusion, in which employees and their relatives benefited from failures in the Housing Authority’s processes, should be directed to appropriate authorities since the Auditor-General’s audit bypassed issues of legal non-compliance.
The Office of the Auditor-General faced challenges when attempting to interview two former key employees responsible for overseeing applicant selections and lot allocations. Additionally, the Housing Authority failed to provide essential documentation regarding submissions for ministerial approval for clients with earnings exceeding $50,000, particularly for submissions made in 2015 and 2016.
Emmanuel highlighted that missing files hindered the auditors’ review process. Twelve customer files, notably six from Tacirua Subdivision and four from Matavolivoli Subdivision, were not available for examination, which suggested attempts by Housing Authority employees to avoid scrutiny.