A number of questionable deals, alleged abuse and mismanagement of tax dollars have been highlighted in Post Fiji Limited, in a Finance Ministry Internal Audit Unit report.

It has been alleged that some former board members and senior management who were replaced a few months ago, did not discharge their duties as required, and were engaged in unethical and corrupt practices in collusion with those they did business with.

The audit report which has been received by Village News, has recommended that all overpayments, irregular and improper payments, should be recovered from a high ranking board member and a senior manager of Post Fiji, who was asked to resign a few months ago. It has also been highlighted that several tenders were issued without following the proper procedures, and in many cases the tenders which were worth more than 4 million dollars in the year 2005 and 2006 were issued by Post Fiji to only one company.

The report highlights that in 2004, an amount of $84,375 was paid to a well known retail outlet for the purchase and installation of an exterior Seiko clock at the General Post Office in Suva. The audit team also states that they have correspondence that shows that a senior board member who is also connected to the retail outlet was allegedly involved in discussions regarding the purchase. In addition, the former senior company board member was paid hotel, accommodation and incidental allowances totalling 30 thousand 537 dollars, to which he was not entitled.

It has also been revealed that on his resignation with effect from February this year, a senior manager of Post Fiji was paid a gross compensation of 246 thousand 479 dollars.

It has also been recommended that all unauthorized and improper payments should be recovered from the former senior manager.

On to the questionable deals in relation to the Post Fiji tender process between 2005 and 2006. It has been revealed by the audit team that the evaluating committee recommended Abacus Graphics Limited to get a tender for 147 thousand 395 dollars for the supply and installation of steel pallet racking. However a manager submitted a proposal to a higher ranking official with a quotation from another company and it was awarded to that company for 257 thousand dollars.

Former Post Fiji Chairman, Mahendra Patel said he is now trying to obtain an official copy of the audit report before deciding on whether he will make a statement.