The Auditor-General says Government used more than $67 million out of the $100 million allocated under Head 50 of the COVID-19 response activities by September 11, 2020.

This information is contained in the Auditor-General’s Report on Compliance Audits Relating to COVID-19 Response that was tabled in Parliament last week.

Out of the $67,553,100 used, the OAG found $12,804,639 were acquitted and $54,748,461 were un-acquitted.

“Un-acquitted refers to supporting details of the expenditure that have not been provided by the ministry/ department which were allocated funds from Head 50 through the Ministry of Economy,” the report said.

The OAG audit found $23,767,757 was used from Head 50 — Contingence Funds (General) with no acquittal provided on its usage.

Unemployment benefit in the tourism sector was given $5,600,000 with nil acquittal.

A total of $7 million was used towards unemployment benefit in lockdown areas (formal sector) with no acquittal.

Unemployment benefit lockdown areas (informal sector) used $214,581 and there were no acquittal for these funds.

The OAG report said the Ministry of Health and Medical Services used more than $14 million from Head 50 and had not acquitted for a little more than $3 million.

The Fiji Police Force used $698,661 from Head 50 while $150,000 was given to the Republic of Fiji Military Force, according to the report.

Of the $942,637 given to the Ministry of Agriculture, $2363 has not been acquitted.

“The ministry indicated that reports on the use of COVID-19 aid will be prepared and will be forwarded to permanent secretary’s office.”