The investigation into Walesi remains with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Minister for Policing and Communications Ioane Naivalurua told Parliament this morning during the Committee of Supply debate on the 2026-2027 Appropriation Bill
Naivalurua provided the update after Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu questioned the progress of the investigation, raising concerns over continued government funding towards Walesi operations and the need for accountability over taxpayers’ money.
Seruiratu asked whether the investigation, which was previously called for by former Communications Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, was still ongoing or had been shelved.
Naivalurua responded that the matter remains with FICAC.
Meanwhile, during the debate, Opposition MP Premila Kumar questioned the reduction in funding for narcotics operations, which has decreased from $1.95 million in the previous financial year to $1.6 million.
Kumar asked how the Ministry would maintain its efforts to combat the country’s growing drug problem with a reduced allocation.
Naivalurua says the $1.6 million allocation was sufficient to support the establishment and initial operations of the Counter Narcotic Bureau.
He says the previous year’s allocation included the purchase of equipment for the Bureau, while ongoing narcotics operations would continue under the broader policing operations budget.
Naivalurua says there will be a gradual transition towards the Counter Narcotics Bureau taking full ownership of drug-related operations.
Kumar also questioned the allocation of $56,250 for the Police Act review, noting that the legislation is already before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights.
Naivalurua says the funding will not only support the review process but also assist with the implementation of the Act once it is passed.
On cyber security, Naivalurua explained that the $1.1 million allocation under a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) programme will support training and capacity building for critical infrastructure operators in Fiji and other Pacific Island countries.
He says the programme, which is expected to begin in September, will be coordinated with the Police Force and held under the Ministry of Finance.
The Minister also explained that $900,000 allocated for hosting and online subscriptions will maintain infrastructure and hosting services for key government applications, including the Register of Companies and Digital Fiji Stack.
Meanwhile, the $4 million allocation for ease of doing business will support the continued implementation of the Business Now project.
Naivalurua says the funding will assist with the completion and deployment of the building permits and approvals subsystem across six agencies and 13 councils, as well as improvements to the starting-a-business subsystem.
He says the digitalisation project will improve transparency, accountability and support economic growth.
Kumar questioned whether the previous $4.3 million allocation for the project had been fully utilised and when the project would be completed, noting it had been ongoing for almost five years.
Naivalurua says the Ministry would ideally require more funding but will work within the allocation provided, adding that the project’s intended timeline was two to three years, with a full appraisal expected in 2030.
On telecentres, the Minister says three new centres are planned for the year, with the allocated $202,500 considered sufficient to support the programme.
The debate also covered maritime security and IT infrastructure.
Naivalurua says $200,000 allocated for a feasibility study on shore-based facilities will support the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji and the Fiji Navy in assessing upgrades to maritime vessels, radio communication and other systems that support maritime security.
Responding to concerns from Seruiratu about Fiji’s vulnerability during disasters, particularly communication breakdowns experienced during Cyclone Winston, Naivalurua says the $1 million allocation for IT infrastructure and storage capacity will support network infrastructure and hosting environments.
He also highlighted the Government’s Starlink rollout, saying Phase One involved 117 sites, with 50 already completed and Phase Two expected to begin in August.
Naivalurua says the Ministry, through the ITC Steering Committee, is closely monitoring equipment needs across government agencies to strengthen communication resilience.
The Ministry of Policing and Communications' $34.2 million budget allocation for the 2026-2027 financial year was unanimously approved in parliament.
