Concerns raised on 2006 RFMF accounts

The Public Accounts Committee has raised concern about a number of issues in relation to the supply of goods and services for the military following an analysis of the 2006 Auditor General's Report.

The Accounts Committee report released from the parliamentary complex today said they are concerned about the use of unauthorized suppliers by the RFMF although the matter has been raised in earlier reports.

It said the RFMF continued to purchase from suppliers other than those approved by the Major Tenders Board.

The committee said the military also continued to make unauthorized purchases from Lotus Garments of almost $9.5 million through the authorization of RFMF's Senior Military Officer without any reference to the Major Tender Board.

Furthermore, the military, according to the 2006 report had not obtained competitive quotes for purchases amounting to $423,384 and to make matters worse according to the Public Accounts Committee, there were no supportive documents to confirm that the purchases were made.

The RFMF also breached the Finance Instructions 2005 when it consistently made payments to some of its suppliers of goods and services in 2006 on photocopied Local Purchase Orders.

Public Accounts Committee member Taufa Vakatale told Fijivillage that despite these issues being raised in the report, the military is now becoming more professional in relation to administrative and financial matters.