Ousted Govt used grants from Taiwanese govt
The report highlights that the SDL led Government used a total of $770,837 in 2006 to meet its communication expenses mainly used to advertise the Prime Minister's speeches in local dailies.
The Ousted Cabinet had approved the use of $650,756 for communication expenses but this was exceeded by a total of $58,237.
The report also highlights that Samba who specialized in formulating the PM's speeches was paid a total of $405,71.34 which according to the Auditor General's report was quite substantial and equated to 53% of the total amount.
The report stresses that PSC had approved that Mr. Matt Wilson of Samba compile PM's speeches. The report said the office should have used the tender process in order to have a fair, accountable and transparent way of committing such a large amount to a single supplier.
However, former CEO at the PM's office, Joji Kotobalavu states that the last seven months of 2006 was an exception because of the increased demand for the Prime Minister to explain through public speech's and also the Government's stand on Government relations with the Military.
In the case of Mr. Wilson, Kotobalavu said he was preferred speech writer because he knew Qarase's speaking style and his personal speaking characteristics.
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