Financial official says the audit does not mention how $47.8M was spent in 2007

A Ministry of Finance official appearing before the Public Accounts Committee said the Auditor General’s Report does not clearly show details of how the $47.8M was used by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in 2007.

During the Public Accounts Committee meeting, Ministry of Finance representative Emosi Dovibua said the office of the Auditor General has not mentioned whether the money was wrongly spent elsewhere other than what it was intended for.

Deputy Auditor General Atunaisa Nadakuitavuki said the issue is just focusing on the over expenditure and not on how the money was spent. 

He later said that the $47.8M was also part of the audit.

It was earlier highlighted by the former Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry that the RFMF overexpenditure in 2007 was due to the December 2006 coup as the institution took up more responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee Biman Prasad also raised queries about the Fiji National Provident Fund contributions for civil servants for all ministries in 2007.

Finance Ministry representative Emosi Dovibua asked the Chairman that the officer responsible be brought to respond to the question raised.