Public Accounts Committee Chairman Manoa Kamikamica has warned that the reputation of the iTaukei community could be damaged if proper financial management is not maintained within Provincial Councils.
Speaking in Parliament on Friday during discussions on the Review Report on the Audit of Provincial Councils (Volume 7), Mr Kamikamica said safeguarding financial records and ensuring transparency was critical for maintaining public trust.
“Our reputation as iTaukei people is at stake. If we do not properly safeguard the financial records of Provincial Offices, our image will not look good,” he told Parliament.
Mr Kamikamica said the committee had visited six Provincial Councils — Ba, Bua, Ra, Naitasiri, Lau and Rewa — as part of its review process.
He acknowledged the commitment shown by the councils in improving their financial management and reporting practices, but said the committee had identified inconsistencies in record keeping.
“However, the Committee noted that some Councils maintained that their records were up to date, despite findings indicating otherwise.”
To address these issues, Mr Kamikamica said the committee had recommended that future audits be conducted directly at Provincial Council headquarters.
“In light of this, going forward, the Committee recommends that future audits be conducted directly at the Provincial Council headquarters, to ensure that issues relating to records, controls and documentation are properly addressed at source,” he said.
The committee has also urged the iTaukei Affairs Board and Provincial Councils to prioritise corrective actions aimed at improving governance and accountability.
“The Committee urges the iTaukei Affairs Board and all Provincial Councils to prioritise corrective actions to commit fully to achieving credible, transparent and timely financial reporting,” Mr Kamikamica said.
He stressed that strengthened governance and financial accountability were essential to maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of Provincial Council operations.
Mr Kamikamica also called for adequate resources to be allocated in the coming years to support reforms aimed at improving financial systems across the councils.
“That is why we are requesting that adequate resources be given over the next few years to complete these necessary reforms,” he said.
