Opposition demands halt to millions in Pacific Polytech funding, full audit

The Opposition has called for an immediate halt to all government funding to Pacific Polytech until a full audit is completed, citing leaked emails that suggest staff salaries were withheld because of delayed grant payments.

Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj yesterday demanded that Government debate a Standing Committee on Social Affairs report from last year, which recommended investigations into how the institution received millions of dollars in taxpayer funding.

The report, later withdrawn, found that Pacific Polytech operated without full approval from the Higher Education Commission and offered unaccredited courses. It recommended stopping future funding and called for a commission of inquiry.

“The Government is sitting on this report to protect a private entity at the expense of the taxpayer,” Mr Maharaj said.

He warned the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) not to release the pending $7 million government grant until investigations were completed.

“If the FHEC proceeds with this transfer despite the Standing Committee’s warnings, they will be complicit in a massive misappropriation of public funds,” he said.

In response, Higher Education Commission director Eci Naisele said the Commission would rely on legal advice from the Solicitor-General’s Office.

“That is the recommendation of the Standing Committee. I will stand by the position the Commission is taking, based on the legal advice from the Solicitor-General’s Office,” Mr Naisele said.

He confirmed that the Commission still considers previous grant releases to be illegal, as funds were disbursed directly by the Ministry of Finance, bypassing the Commission.

Mr Maharaj also questioned how Pacific Polytech was able to purchase a million-dollar property in Nadi while reportedly being unable to pay staff salaries without government funding.

Standing Committee chair Iliesa Vanawalu confirmed the report was withdrawn following “a caucus decision” but declined to provide further details.

“When it is withdrawn, it goes back to the Speaker of the House,” Mr Vanawalu said.

Pacific Polytech director Peni Taoi said he would not comment until reviewing the Opposition’s full statement, but remained optimistic that funding would be released before classes begin on January 19.