23 Aug 2005

Fiji PM spokesman backs critical auditor's report

3:35 pm on 23 August 2005

A spokesman for Fiji's Prime Minister has supported the report put forward by the auditor general, saying it is part of an on going process to improve procedures.

The document speaks of corruption in the awarding of contracts, the issuing of visas and permits and the distribution of funds.

Several Ministries have criticised the report saying the auditor general did not take into account explanations put forward.

But the Chief Executive Officer of the Prime Minister's Office, Jioji Kotobalavu, says in his experience every section has a chance to respond to the auditor general's findings:

"So nobody can say that the auditor general and his staff have not been fair to individual ministries in compiling the report on the ministry."

There have been widespread calls for a Code of Conduct to be enacted following the release of the report to make sure public servants and politicians are accountable for their actions.