Walesi Fiji received a total of $123.6 million in government grants from 2015 to 2022, according to a recent special audit of the company’s finances. During this timeframe, the company invested $70 million in equipment. However, Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica revealed in Parliament that despite substantial funding, Walesi continues to rely heavily on government support due to its inability to generate sufficient revenue.
The audit raised concerns over transparency, highlighting that ten payments totaling $9.3 million lacked proper documentation, making it impossible to verify their compliance with intended purposes or legal requirements. Furthermore, there was no project closure report available to detail the actual costs incurred versus the allocated budget, hindering a complete analysis of project expenditures.
Kamikamica’s assessment suggested that project costs may have exceeded $70 million, with approximately $80 million potentially viewed as wastage, representing about 68 percent of total expenditures as of 2022. He emphasized the opportunity lost by not utilizing these funds for essential infrastructure projects like hospitals, roads, and bridges.
Labeling Walesi’s oversight as a failure of the previous administration, Kamikamica characterized the situation as “a stain” on leadership that failed the people, insisting the nation deserves better stewardship of public resources.
While the audit reveals sobering challenges, it also highlights an opportunity for the current administration to learn from past mistakes and implement more rigorous oversight and accountability measures. By ensuring better management of public funds moving forward, there is potential for significant improvements in infrastructure and public services that will benefit the community.
Overall, this situation serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and responsible financial management in fostering progress and development. There is hope that with renewed focus and accountability, Walesi can evolve into a more effective asset for the nation.
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