Biman Pledges Reform

Minister for Finance Biman Prasad did not mince his words as he articulated how the system was designed by the previous Government to suit the agendas of a few people.

Mr Prasad was responding to questions on whether his ministry will carry out an inquiry into Government projects managed by the disbanded Construction Implementation Unit (CIU) of the ministry.

"I am not looking at being on a witch hunt, and I don't want to. I don't think the Government is on a witch hunt," Mr Prasad said.

"What has been done, has been done. Instead of us focusing ontime to get a forensic audit, where it's obvious that corruption, mismanagement and fraud has taken place, that will be dealt with by proper authorities, and some of them are being dealt with."

For the 2017/2018 financial year alone, the CID-managed projects, approved by the Government Tender Board, were 523 - valued at $362 million.

Minister for Finance Biman Prasad in Parliament on July 14, 2023. Photo: Parliament of Fiji

"Our focus is to move ahead and make sure that we prepare and do the right thing through the right processes." Referencing the rolling out of the schools' rehabilitation and Help for Homes initiative following Tropical Cyclone Winston, he said processes were followed to suit the agenda of a few.

Mr Prasad also said the awarding of contracts was legally done, and the processes were followed, but the people, the Government lost money.

"Our focus is really to improve the system, so that we don't repeat some of these things when there's a disaster," he said.

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