Incomplete work on vessels
SEVENTY-EIGHT per cent of maintenance work on the naval ship RFNS Kikau was not completed by the Fiji Navy in 2013.
Opposition MP Salote Radrodro said this in Parliament as she questioned how government funds were used by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF).
“There are also other issues in the report,” she said.
“The audit highlighted that in 2013, more than $2 million had been allocated annually for Kiro patrol boat’s life extension program.
“However, the funds were not utilised and were returned to the Ministry of Economy at the end of the financial year.
“Furthermore, even though the RFMF has spent a total of more than $1.8 million from 2013 to July 2016 for the life expectancy program of vessels, Kikau, the vessel remains inoperative.”
She said there was incomplete work on vessels despite receiving an allocation of $2 million.
“Contrary to the payment schedule in the contract, the commander of the Fiji Navy approved the final payment of $119,110 to the contractor following the recommendations from officer number 3089.
“The audit noted that the RFMF paid the contract amount of $549,146, however, 78 per cent of contractual scope of works valued at $427,428 was not performed by the contractor.
“Looking at that, we could say for the 22 per cent of the work that had been covered, $549,146 was paid out.”
The Opposition MP said these statements highlighted the need for annual reports to be tabled in Parliament to ensure accountability.
“I highlighted those because it underpins the importance of the submission of the annual report by the Fiji military forces.
“It is important for us to note the expenditure and how those expenditures have been carried in accordance with the Financial Management Act 2004,” she added.
In response, Minister for Defence Inia Seruiratu said the same audit report also stated the response from the Fiji Navy.
He said the Australian project consultant was recalled in 2010 which greatly affected the work of the Fiji Navy in this area.