1 Jul 2002

Senior Fiji agriculture ministry official sacked for involvement in 13 million dollar scam

3:51 pm on 1 July 2002

Fiji's Public Service Commission has sacked a suspended senior agriculture ministry offical for his part in the 13 million US dollar farming assistance scheme.

The principal accountant in the agriculture ministry, Suliasi Sorovakatini, says he will not appeal his sacking but take up full time evangelical work with his church.

One of the two deputy heads of the agriculture ministry, Ken Cokanasiga, has been reprimanded and had his pay cut and will be transferred to another ministry.

The second deputy, Samisoni Ulitu, had also had his pay cut but will remain with the ministry.

The director of finance and administration, Sereana Bainimarama, has been reprimanded and fined 230 US dollars and will be transferred to the ministry of national planning.

The case of the head of the ministry, Peniasi Kunatuba, who has brought charges of vote buying against the prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, and his ministers in the former interim administration in connection with the scam, will be dealt with later this week.

Police are carrying out a separate investigation into the scam and may lay their own charges later.