The government has invested a substantial $123.6 million in Walesi from 2015 to December 2022. However, this investment has not translated into financial independence for the company, as it reportedly relies heavily on ongoing government support due to a failure to generate adequate revenue.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communication Manoa Kamikamica addressed these issues in Parliament yesterday, noting that ten payments amounting to $9.3 million could not be substantiated due to missing documentation. This absence of records has raised concerns over whether these funds were utilized according to their intended purpose and legal requirements.
Mr. Kamikamica revealed that an audit was unable to provide a clear account of the project’s total costs in relation to the budget because there was no project closure report that outlined the actual expenses incurred. Nevertheless, analysis of various expenditures between 2015 and 2022 suggested that the project’s costs exceeded $70 million.
Mr. Kamikamica labeled a staggering $80 million—or 68% of what was spent— as wastage, questioning how many vital infrastructures such as hospitals and roads could have been developed with those funds. He highlighted that procurement regulations were frequently overlooked, with significant contracts awarded without the standard tendering process. Of particular concern was a $3.6 million project management contract for the Digital Terrestrial Television project.
Due to these findings, the investigation has been referred to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) for further scrutiny. Alarmingly, $2.2 million in red-flow batteries, which were intended for backup power, were discarded because of improper storage, marking another significant loss for taxpayers.
This situation underscores serious management failures and wastefulness, as well as possible legal infractions, prompting the government to take a stand against such practices.
Despite these alarming revelations, it is important to recognize the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency. By addressing these issues head-on and referring the matters to the appropriate authorities, there is hope for a future guided by greater financial responsibility and effective management. Continued scrutiny may pave the way for reform and improved governance in public funding.
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