23 Aug 2005

Fiji government responds to audit reports

1:29 pm on 23 August 2005

A spokesman for Fiji's Prime Minister says there will be action following the release of a highly critical report by the auditor general.

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

But the Chief Executive Officer of the Prime Minister's Office, Jioji Kotobalavu, says there are several government departments that will now swing into action:

"That two authorities that will immediately follow up the report by the auditor general will be the public service. They will look at people who've abused their authority..and the other one is the Ministry of Finance to see people in the system who have not complied with prescribed rules and regulations."

Mr Kotobalavu says the Ministry of Finance will also then check whether the rules and regulations are realistic.