Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority said it is not responsible for the problems being faced at the Vatukoula Gold Mines after placing a garnishee order against Westech Company Limited.

Acting Chief Executive Pramod Achary said FIRCA is doing its job to recover millions of dollars worth of taxes from mining company Westech which was outstanding by Emperor Gold Mines for almost twenty years.

Achary said while the company has denied liability, FIRCA's assessment of that denial is that it is pathetically weak.

He adds the company has already turned away from its earlier agreement with government which if implemented would have resolved all relevant taxation issues.

Achary said FIRCA cannot consistently with its statutory duties simply free up Westech's accounts as Westech must act reasonably before such a process can take place.

He stressed that the move by FIRCA in no way lacks common sense however what does lack common sense are the exorbitant and unreasonable taxation demands made by the company, with FIRCA cannot legally or properly comply.

He said the buck stops at the door of the company and not the door of FIRCA. Meanwhile, Westech lawyers met with the Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama on the issue this afternoon and are yet to comment on the outcome.