Ministry investigating case where Rakiraki Market construction contract was awarded to company that paid off the council’s loan

Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar says they are conducting their own investigations in the matter where the Auditor General has recommended an investigation be carried out to find out whether there was a conflict of interest when the Rakiraki Market construction contract was awarded to the company that gave over $100,000 to the Rakiraki Town Council to pay off its debts.

The company was awarded a $5.2 million Rakiraki Market construction contract.

Kumar has refused to make any other comments on the issue.

She says it will be premature for her to comment on the subject as it is expected to be debated in parliament.

Meanwhile, the Minister says she will also be answering in parliament in relation to revelations in the 2018/2019 Auditor General's Report on Municipal Councils that audits for 11 municipal councils are in backlog and 44 financial statements are yet to be received from various municipal councils.