The Fiji National Provident Fund was taken for a ride.

These are the words of Chairman of the Natadola Bay Resort Limited, Felix Anthony, in a statement released, who adds that the internal audit and special investigation carried out by Ernst and Young which they had commissioned, shows that the decision to invest in the Natadola Project was made by FNPF without carrying out proper independent due diligence.

According to a statement released by NBRL, in return for the land for the Natadola Project, valued at $5.5 million, APRIL Development received a total of approximately $67.87 million in exchange for the land.

Anthony goes on to say that APRIL benefiting this much for land initially valued at $5.5 million, is beyond the comprehension of the current board.

According to Anthony the FNPF is entrusted to safeguard the interests of their members and as such it is required to ensure that the member funds are invested wisely and just returns received for their investments.

APRIL Development are expected to comment later this afternoon.