Former Minister directly involved in projects
According to the report the Minister gave a grant to an application submitted in March 2005 by the Namuimada Youth Club requesting financial assistance for pig farming.
It was noted that the Ministry of Multi Ethnic approved a sum of $7,300 for the project. The Ministry contributed $4,800 being two third of the total cost while the remaining $2,500 was to be contributed by the community.
The Audit found out that the project was not a community project but a personal project for an individual, who according to the Turaga ni Koro of Namuimada was related to the former Multi Ethnic Affairs Minister.
It was also noted in the audit that the funding request was not in line with the self help project scheme requirement as the assistance was only benefiting a family and not the community as a whole.
The report also notes the projects were selected, implemented and completed without proper documentation and recommendations of the District Officers.
The report goes on to state that for some projects for which labour was offered by the community, the projects were deliberately awarded to Vijesh Construction on the recommendations of the Minister.
Similar issues were highlighted in the 2003 Audit report where a total of 16 bus shelters were constructed in Ra/Naitasiri areas in 2002 by Vijesh Construction of Rakiraki.
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