The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) continues to probe the suspected illegal allocation of residential lots by the Housing Authority, a case that dates back to 2010. This inquiry was launched last year following alarming findings from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts, which uncovered potential abuses of power within the agency.
A special investigation reported by the previous government in 2020 revealed more than 60 instances of alleged misconduct tied to Housing Authority officials, with recommendations made to forward these cases to FICAC. The committee has urged the Housing Authority to fully cooperate and has recommended that the Ministry of Housing receive regular updates on the progress of these cases.
Esrom Emmanuel, chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, has raised serious concerns about governance within the Housing Authority, describing it as “extremely weak” and pointing to its “pathetic” transparency and accountability practices. Noteworthy issues include the unexplained disappearance of files during audits and the absence of a Conflict-of-Interest Policy. Emmanuel highlighted that critical documentation regarding property allocations from 2010 to 2020 has not been made available, hindering the ongoing investigation.
To date, only one individual has faced charges in this matter. The committee has requested a follow-up audit by the Office of the Auditor-General to be completed by June 2025 to ensure thorough examination and to address the ongoing lack of essential documents.
The ongoing efforts by FICAC signify an important step toward restoring integrity within the Housing Authority and fighting systemic corruption. There is hope that the upcoming audits and investigations will pave the way for necessary reforms, enhancing public trust in governance. By tackling these challenges directly, Fiji is working towards a more transparent and accountable public service, fostering a healthier governance environment for its citizens.