22 Oct 2003

Fiji's CCF calls for action over auditor-general's report

4:11 pm on 22 October 2003

Fiji's Citizens Constitutional Forum is calling for taxpayers to take action over the auditor general's report, alleging government abuse of public funds.

The CCF's Reverend Akuila Yabaki says they complained to the Public Service Commission last year following another critical report about the accounts but nothing was done.

The report stated that the government had misused 21 million U.S. dollars of trust money while cabinet ministers and senior public servants were criticised for the misappropriation of funds.

Mr Yabaki says having the information is one thing but action needs to be taken.

"What we need actually is a kind of a fraud squad, that has the expertise to deal with these things. It's quite all right for the auditor-general to come out with this mind-boggling information but when it comes to taking action, we need to strengthen that. We are fairly weak on this front. On what to do, given the information about abuse against the public."

Mr Yabaki says the CCF is considering whether to take the matter to court.