Fiji maintains clean up and independent investigation into Mahmood Khan’s report is needed before the grant is released

The University of the South Pacific maintains that it will not engage publicly on its recruitment processes or policies in respect to individual contracts after allegations surfaced of more people appointed to senior positions at USP without proper procedures being followed.

A paper being circulated alleges that some were appointments made without procedures being followed, allegations that the process and policy to ensure all senior positions be advertised if it is for a term of more than 12 months were not followed, allegations of favoritism, allegations of conflict of interest and some appointments made that may have allegedly breached work permits earlier given by the Fijian government.

When contacted by Legend FM News on the allegations raised about the appointments, USP says staff contracts are matters between an employer and employee and not for public scrutiny.

It also says all recruitments at USP are on merit in compliance and consistent with policies and procedures.

USP had made the statement after concerns were also raised by Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama that USP needs a good clean up and the university council needs to do that.

Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had earlier stated in parliament that the government’s grant to USP will only be released once the USP Council accepts their request to have an independent investigation on the report made by the Chair of the USP Audit and Risk Committee Mahmood Khan.

Sayed-Khaiyum said they have requested for an independent body to look into the number of anomalies under Professor Pal Ahluwalia that were raised by Khan in his report but the request was not approved by the USP Council.

Sayed-Khaiyum added that whatever the finding is, they will accept it but Fiji wants good governance at USP.

He said unless and until this is done, they are not going to release the grant.

Fiji is the largest contributor to USP where they give a grant of about $32 million to $36 million every year while the second-highest is the Solomon Islands with $2 million.

In it’s meeting this week, the USP Council has directed the Secretary to Council to refer the allegations of breach of the USP Council Code of Conduct by Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council Winston Thompson and the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee Mahmood Khan to the Council’s Executive Committee.

Written responses by Thompson and Khan will also be referred to the Executive Committee.

The USP Council says this will then allow the process thereunder to take its course.

A USP Council statement says the recommendations are to be provided to the Council no later than 30th March 2021.

The USP Council also states that it was not able to consider further the matter of the contract of Professor Pal Ahluwalia as the Sub-Committee is yet to present its recommendations to the Council.

Questions sent to Pro Chancellor Winston Thompson and Professor Ahluwalia remain unanswered.