The Auditor-General has revealed two permanent secretaries in 2020 were receiving $5000 per month in housing allowance.
This is stated in the General Administration Sector Report for 2020/2021 that was tabled in Parliament last week.
The Auditor-General said the Public Service Commission incurred expenditure totalling $4.2 million in 2021 against a revised budget of $5.2 million, resulting in savings of $1 million or 18.9 per cent.
“The unutilised budget in the Personal Emoluments for the PS’s vote was mainly due to the savings from the vacant PS’s position namely, 1) Ministry of Local Government 2) Ministry of Communication 3) Ministry of iTaukei Affairs 4) Ministry of Economy 5) Ministry of Education 6) Ministry of Fisheries and 7) Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said the OAG report.
“The unutilised budget in the Housing Allowance allocation was mainly due to the resignation of two permanent secretaries (PS’s) that were entitled to a housing allowance of up to $5000 a month.
“The unutilised budgeting the travel (airfare) allocation was mainly due to the restriction in travel for PSC chairman and other members to attend PSC meetings due to COVID-19 pandemic.
“The unutilised budget in the Other Contractual Services allocation was mainly due to the commissioners agreeing to roll over PS’s contract, which were expiring, for another year.”
