The Leader of People's Alliance Sitiveni Rabuka says the decision to institute a Commission of Inquiry into the Auditor General’s Office is an affront to democracy and a direct threat to the mandate of the people to have independent offices check the conduct of government, particularly in the process and usage of public funds.
Rabuka says this must be strongly condemned as he claims the FijiFirst Government hides behind the Office of the President to carry out its dirty work.
Rabuka says it shows a government that has no discipline and is dictatorial beyond measure.
He also says that anyone that highlights government shortcomings is shut down or muzzled.
Rabuka says this government talks a big game but cannot back it up with its actions.
He says they continue to talk about transparency, but the Auditor General continues to identify a litany of issues of wastage and abuse of public funds and nothing is done and the Lautoka Swimming pool and Water Authority Digger scam are perfect examples.
Rabuka further says that if the Prime Minister and his Minister of Economy cannot take the heat, they should get out of the kitchen and leave and people cannot be fooled any longer.
He says it is time for a change in government to one that respects the independence of public offices such as those of the Auditor General.
Rabuka adds that the Office of the Auditor General is independent and reports to the People’s House.
He also says that the people have not called out for an inquiry and there is just no reason why the Auditor General needed this inquiry now.
He says the other concern of the Party is that 2022 is an election year and that any reports which the Auditor General needs to table is important in terms of accountability and transparency.
Rabuka adds that the way the Terms of Reference are drafted, it means the Auditor General will be caught up in this investigation process which will inhibit progress on his reports to Parliament and when scrutiny on the government’s use of public funds is very important, the Auditor General’s Office will be muzzled.
He says they also wonder if the blocking move against the Auditor General’s Office from auditing Energy Fiji Limited without proper explanation, was preempting this drastic step by the Fiji Government.
We have sent questions to the Attorney General and Minister of Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the Office of the President.
They are yet to respond.
