RFMF starts audit

November 25, 2012 | Filed under: Fiji News | Posted by: newsroom
Military affirms Government’s zero tolerance on corruption
By MAIKA BOLATIKI

Two Government institutions are currently being audited after a directive from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

The military’s chief of staff, Brigadier-General Mohammed Aziz told Fiji Sun he had given the directive for audits to be carried out at the Force Training Group (FTG) in Nasinu and Shipbuilding (Fiji) Ltd (SFL).

“I can confirm, to you that we have given a directive for audits to be carried out at the FTG and Shipbuilding Fiji Limited,” he said.

For the audit at FTG, its commanding officer Major Peniasi Gade was told to go on leave.

“It must be clearly understood that Major Gade is not suspended. He was told to vacate his office for the audit team to carry out their work.”

Brigadier-General Aziz said the military upholds government’s zero tolerance on corruption and this is the very reason he had given a directive for audits to be carried in the two institutions.

He said Major Gade was asked to prepare a statement on some queries the audit team had made.
The audit, he said, would not affect the day-to-day operations at FTG.

At the shipbuilding arm, the same thing was happening and Brigadier-General Aziz confirmed that work was not affected. He assured the public that after the audits, the auditing team’s report would be handed to him.

Brigadier-General Aziz said the audits of the two institutions were in line with Government’s stand on transparency and credibility.

In his 2013 Budget address, the Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama talked about dishonesty.

He said, “There is too much personal dishonesty and abuse of the system. We see it in all areas, from those who abuse the free bus vouchers for school children, to those who abuse the social welfare system, to those who continue to break the law by not paying taxes and customs duties. It is also unacceptable that importers and traders continue to charge ordinary Fijians and our visitors’ exorbitant prices, even after Government has zero-rated or reduced duty.

“We will not tolerate tax evaders, welfare cheats, or those who unfairly deny ordinary Fijians access to affordable goods – just as we won’t tolerate corruption. It is the Government’s obligation to the majority of law-abiding and decent Fijians.”

Brigadier-General Aziz said the military fully supported the move by the Government to eradicate corruption from all its ministries and departments.