28 September, 2023, 3:41 am Central - 21°C Rain

Accountability and Transparency Commission needs to be established - Reverend Akuila Yabaki

Accountability and Transparency Commission needs to be established - Reverend Akuila Yabaki

By Vijay Narayan , Rashika Kumar
Monday 12/10/2020
Former CEO of Citizens Constitution Forum, Reverend Akuila Yabaki and Virisila Buadromo.

Former CEO of Citizens Constitution Forum, Reverend Akuila Yabaki says based on the 2013 Constitution, there is a need to have an Accountability and Transparency Commission that will hold Permanent Secretaries and public office holders answerable for their actions.

He made these comments during a panel discussion on ‘State of Democracy’ organized by the NGO Coalition for Human Rights to take stock of the country’s achievements, challenges and discuss on ways forward for Fiji to mark 50 years of Independence.

Reverend Yabaki says the Commission will be independent and will not be controlled or influenced by the government.

He has also highlighted that changing the Constitution is a very difficult process where under Section 160, changes will only be possible by a bill that is discussed three times in Parliament and a referendum.

The bill must be voted for twice by at least three-quarters of the parliament and there should be a period of 30 days between the two votes.

A referendum would then have to be conducted. If the outcome of the referendum is that three-quarters of the total number of the registered voters have voted in favour of the proposed amendment, then the President must assent to the bill.

According to the Constitution, the Accountability and Transparency Commission shall consist of a chairperson and 2 other members appointed by the President, on the advice of the Judicial Services Commission following consultation with the Attorney General.

The chairperson of the Commission must be a person who is, or is qualified to be appointed as a Judge.

A written law shall provide the Commission with the jurisdiction, authority and powers to receive and investigate complaints against Permanent Secretaries and all persons holding a public office.

We have sent questions to Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

He is yet to respond.




fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
FEATURE NEWS
EbayShop recruitment scam - 1700 complaints valued at around $3.6 million received so far
The total of number complaints received regarding the EbayShop recruitment scam by the Consumer Council of Fiji, Fijian Competition and Consumer Commi...
5 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Urgent call for increased crime-prevention measures and patrols following increasing reports of break-ins at Bureta St and Levuka St in Samabula and Lami
An urgent call for increased crime-prevention measures and police patrols is being made by residents of Bureta Street and Levuka Street in Samabula ...
11 hours ago

“Violence Against Children In Fiji” report says opportunity and security are key drivers of child abuse
The recent launch of the “Violence Against Children In Fiji” report states that drivers of violence against children are a combination of factors ...
11 hours ago

Senior NFP member Priscilla Singh disagrees with the proposed Local Government Electoral Act
Senior National Federation Party member and former councillor of the Suva City Council, Priscilla Singh says she stands with her party on ...
11 hours ago

$250,000 refurbished Makoi Health Centre commissioned
About 32,000 people now have access to an improved health facility as the new waiting area and refurbished Makoi Health Centre has been ...
12 hours ago

70% of domestic violence cases occur in iTaukei families and 74% are in Christian families - Tabuya
Ten communities in the province of Tailevu have made a promise to protect women, girls and children from violence after they signed their commitment ...
12 hours ago
IN DEPTH
EBayShop Online Recruitment scam
The Consumer Council of Fiji has issued a public alert about a group of individuals running a deceptive pyramid scheme known as “EbayShop Online Recruitment.”
3 days ago

7 Grace Road Group executives declared prohibited immigrants in Fiji after decisions by the South Korean Government and a request by Interpol
7 Grace Road executives in Fiji have been declared prohibited immigrants by the Fijian Government, it has been made clear through government ...
3 days ago

Bainimarama and Qiliho’s trial
The trial of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho begins
41 days ago

TOP