FNU Students’ Association President refutes allegations relating to the affairs of his office

The Fiji National University Students’ Association President Ketan Lal has today refuted allegations made by Vice President of the FNU Law Students Association Ilisapeci Tunamena.

In a statement, Lal says they met with Tunamena today, where all issues raised in the letter to the Registrar of the Fiji National University were discussed and clarification was provided.

He says if the FNU Students Association wishes to spend money on any project, a proposal clearly explaining the purpose of the expenditure, together with how it aligns with the association’s strategic objective is presented to the President and the President in consultation with the Executive Committee and Council makes a decision.

Lal says FNU Students Association just like other University Students Associations has a student association levy and FNU Students Association has a levy of $20 per annum which is used to fund student activities.

He adds that the 2017 financial statement for FNU Students Association was audited by an external auditor and presented at the AGM on 24th March 2018 and the meeting was attended by Tunamena where clarifications was provided for all queries.

Lal says the AGM passed all reports that were presented.

Lal says the vehicle JF667 is registered under his father, which he keeps for his personal use and this vehicle does not belong to the FNU Students Association.

Ketan Lal says the Students Association owns one vehicle (registration “FNUSA”),  and this is a pre‑used vehicle purchased earlier this year to assist with the daily office operations, events and community out‑reach programs conducted by the Association as the campuses are widely dispersed across the country and there were transportation challenges.

He says the purchase of the vehicle was done upon approval by FNU Students Association Council.

Ketan Lal is a fourth year student pursuing Bachelor in Civil Engineering at the College of Engineering, Science and Technology.

He adds that no association committee member is paid a salary and as per their constitution, elected members only receive monthly honorarium which is payable at the end of each year upon passing of all reports at the AGM.

Lal has also stated that the Fiji National University Students’ Association would like to clarify that Tunamena is not the Vice President of the FNU Law Students Association and this has been confirmed by the President of the FNU Law Students Association Isikeli Ralovo.

We are currently trying to get a comment from Tunamena.