An internal investigation has been conducted over the misappropriation of revenue stated in the 2015 Auditor General’s report for the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources.

Permanent Secretary Malakai Finau confirmed this during the Public Accounts Committee submissions in Parliament yesterday.

Mr Finau said the internal investigation showed that there was misappropriation of revenue of $129,602.22 recorded with the ministry.

Mr Finau said the internal investigation was conducted in the first week of October that same year (2015) to authenticate the loss and an officer was suspended with effect from October 14, 2015. He said a ministerial investigation team was appointed to further investigate and to collect relevant information.

Mr Finau said an initial loss notification was lodged with Police on October 13, 2015 and a proper report was lodged on November 30, 2015.

He said Police investigated the matter and the officer was taken to court and was jailed.

Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources Manager Finance Timoci Samisoni said the matter was first raised to the Permanent Secretary.

This misappropriation of funds was done by one of the revenue collectors.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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