The ongoing investigation by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) into the alleged illegal allocation of residential lots by the Housing Authority in 2010 remains active. This inquiry, initiated last year, was prompted by a report from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts that investigated potential abuses of power within the Housing Authority.
According to findings from a special investigation conducted by the previous government in 2020, over 60 cases of alleged misconduct involving Housing Authority officials were suggested to be forwarded to FICAC. The committee emphasized the importance of the Housing Authority cooperating with the investigation and recommended regular updates to the Ministry of Housing regarding the progress of these cases.
Esrom Emmanuel, the chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, has expressed grave concerns about the state of governance within the Housing Authority, labeling it as “extremely weak” and describing its transparency and accountability practices as “pathetic.” Significant issues have been identified, including the mysterious disappearance of files during audits and the lack of a Conflict-of-Interest Policy. Emmanuel pointed out that essential documentation relating to property allocations from 2010 through 2020 has not been provided, complicating the investigative process.
As the investigation unfolds, only one individual has been charged to date. The committee has called for a follow-up audit to be conducted by the Office of the Auditor-General by June 2025 to further scrutinize these matters and address the continued absence of vital documents.
This ongoing examination by FICAC underlines a crucial effort to restore integrity within the Housing Authority and combat systemic corruption, with hopes that forthcoming audits and investigations will lead to necessary reforms and enhance public trust in governance. By addressing these issues head-on, Fiji moves closer to fostering a more accountable and transparent public service.