Leader of Opposition Sitiveni Rabuka raised the issue in parliament on why the Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum allowed the waiving of the tender process and Qorvis Communications was given the contract for communications services for COP 23 after a request by the COP 23 CEO John Connor.

However Sayed-Khaiyum stressed that the COP 23 accounts have been audited by independent auditors and all the donors knew where the money was allocated and for which services.

Rabuka raised the issue after Sayed-Khaiyum tabled the COP 23 Presidency Trust Fund Amendment Bill.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the bill was brought to parliament because the development partners are so impressed with the manner in which the government has handled the COP 23 trust fund that they have allowed Fiji to continue with the trust fund to continue projects specifically for climate action.

He says some of the funding will go towards relocation purposes, mitigation purposes and fuel efficiency.

Sayed-Khaiyum says a number of development partners have also agreed to continue to provide development funds.

However Rabuka says it was not right to give the contract to Qorvis Communications.

Sayed-Khaiyum stresses that all the donors knew who provided the services and everything has been independently audited.

Defence Minister and COP 23 Climate Champion, Inia Seruiratu stresses that the funds in the trust fund are also not from Fijian taxpayers and have been audited.

The bill has been passed in parliament.

ADVERTISEMENT