The Public Service Commission confirms that Kadavu Holdings has been paid $884,000 for the renting of office space at Kadavu House in Suva although the property remains unoccupied at the moment.
Speaking to Village news this afternoon, Permanent Secretary for Public Service Taina Tagicakibau said she has received confirmation that the money was paid to Kadavu Holdings last year as rent to house a Government department at Kadavu House.
However, Tagicakibau confirms that the government department was not moved to Kadavu House despite the payment being made.
She stresses that the PSC will ensure that the 884,000 thousand tax dollars spent on rent is not lost and they are now in talks with Kadavu Holdings on how this could be recovered.
PSC paid the money to rent out Kadavu house for August to December 2007.
Earlier today, Tagicakibau said that no such payment was made for Kadavu House while Kadavu Holdings Manager, Ratu Sela Nanovo said a total payment of more than $884 thousand dollars was made by the PSC for August to December 2007.
Ratu Sela said the agreement was signed with former Interim Public Service Minister, Poseci Bune and the rent had to be backdated due to the delay by the PSC to occupy the building.
In the earlier news from this morning:
There is confirmation this morning that the Public Service Commission has paid more than 880 thousand dollars to the Kadavu Holdings for the empty office space at Kadavu House located in the heart of Suva.
This revelation comes despite the comment by PSC Permanent Secretary, Taina Tagicakibau that no such payment has been made for Kadavu House.
However Kadavu Holdings Manager Ratu Sela Nanovo disputed this comment this morning and stated that a total payment of more than $884 thousand dollars has been made by the PSC for August to December 2007.
Ratu Sela said the agreement was signed with former Interim Public Service Minister, Poseci Bune and the rent had to be backdated due to the delay by the PSC to occupy the building.
We have spoken to Tagicakibau again and she said they are still talking to Kadavu Holdings about the agreement and as far as she knows, no payment has been made. She will make further comments later this morning.
It was agreed last year that PSC would move into the newly built Kadavu House after its completion.
