PM wants answers over unfinished $12m Fiji National University campus
Campus remains unusable years after $12m was spent, with no charges publicly laid over the project.
Friday 07 August 2026 | 17:00
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka wants answers on the status of the investigation into the unfinished Fiji National University (FNU) Naiyaca Campus, where about $12 million was spent on a structure that remains unusable.
Mr Rabuka said he would call for an update on the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) investigation following concerns over the alleged misuse of funds during the project’s construction.
The campus, now named the Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere Campus, has been under scrutiny after audits raised concerns including tender irregularities, governance issues and contract problems.
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The matter was referred to FICAC in 2024, but no individuals have been publicly charged over the project to date.
Asked about the issue, Mr Rabuka said the matter was at an operational level and he would need to be briefed on developments.
“I’ll leave that at the operational level, not at the policy level. I’ll have to find out what’s happening,” he said.
Mr Rabuka said his focus after taking a closer look at FNU was on strengthening human resource development for the nation.
The issue comes as FNU continues efforts to address the challenges surrounding the Labasa campus.
FNU Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba earlier said the university inherited the unfinished building when she took office in 2023.
She said expert assessments found the structure could not be used in its current condition, with some sections classified as red zones under occupational health and safety standards.
Demolishing the building is estimated to cost about $3 million, prompting FNU to focus instead on completing the campus and developing facilities for students.
The university has also stopped paying about $300,000 annually in rent for external facilities in Labasa, with the savings redirected towards campus development.
Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere has previously raised concerns over delays to the project, saying the people of Vanua Levu had waited years for the promised campus.
The project was expected to be completed by 2018 after land was gifted in 2013, but progress stalled over the years.
FNU terminated the original builder’s contract in 2020 and recovered a $2 million bond in 2021. The university says future plans for the site will depend on funding and expert advice.
