The superannuation payments for suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde were managed independently by his office, without the Ministry of Finance’s involvement. This was revealed by Shiri Krishna Gounder, the permanent secretary for Finance, during the fifth day of the tribunal hearing concerning Mr. Pryde’s situation in Suva.
Mr. Gounder explained that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is the authorized entity within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to manage the funds allocated by Parliament independently. He emphasized that institutions without their own financial management guidelines must adhere to the Government Financial Instructions 2010 and Procurement Regulations 2010, which applies to the ODPP since it lacks separate financial guidelines.
He stated, “The payment of all salaries, benefits, and allowances for civil servants is done in accordance with their individual contracts, and their superannuation contributions are aligned with the mandated FNPF rates.” Although the Ministry of Finance handled Mr. Pryde’s salary payments, the ODPP managed his superannuation payments directly. These payments were carried out through manual telegraphic transfers for offshore benefits, indicating a more specialized process due to their unique nature.
This clarification sheds light on the operational autonomy of the ODPP and ensures accountability in financial dealings within public institutions. This could ultimately strengthen governance and transparency in the management of public funds, fostering public confidence in how these processes are conducted.
Summary: The Ministry of Finance clarified that superannuation payments for suspended DPP Christopher Pryde were processed by the ODPP independently. This highlights the office’s autonomy in managing funds allocated by Parliament, ensuring accountability and transparency.
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