Secretary General to Parliament, Viniana Namosimalua said parliament paid for Opposition Leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa’s tour to the Northern division earlier this month based on the assessment that it was official.
Namosimalua said as a constitutional office holder, the Leader of the Opposition has entitlements under the Remuneration Decree.
She said Ro Teimumu is entitled to these funds if she travels in her official capacity.
Namosimalua stated that the parliamentary secretariat had written to Ro Teimumu to say that they were only funding Ro Teimumu in her official capacity not her contingent and that the opportunity not be abused to do constituency work.
The Secretary General to Parliament said Ro Teimumu made an application just like the parliamentary standing committees who wish to go outside of Suva.
She said like these committees, her application came through Namosimalua’s office and in their view it was official.
Ro Teimumu said in a press conference last week she went on an official tour as the Leader of Opposition but none of the civil servants were prepared to brief her on government projects after a directive by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Meanwhile Attorney General and Finance Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said it was a SODELPA visit.
