A MONTH after allegations surfaced against Fiji Sports Council chief executive officer Gilbert Vakalalabure, he was finally sent on annual leave this week pending investigation.
FSC board member Peter Mazey made the announcement yesterday alongside two other board members in Della Shaw-Elder and Peceli Vosanibola.
Along with Vakalalabure, operations manager Litia Senibulu was also sent on leave yesterday.
“To ensure the transparency of the investigation, no interference or anything, Gilbert has been sent on annual leave until the investigation is completed. The full report is received by the board and passed on to the Minister of Youth and Sports and to the Cabinet.
“I will say during this to ensure that we cover everything, that we are also appointing a legal representative on behalf of to assist when required. The Council needs new legal reps and so that will be going out on Monday,” Mazey told the media yesterday.
Australian finance company, Pherrus Financial Services, which has a local branch will investigate the 16 allegations levelled against Vakalalabure.
“Pherrus quoted $49,000 and we hope that they will not find anything bad here that they will have to investigate further because they will then have the opportunity to put the price up and we don’t want that.”
The investigation is expected to be completed in four weeks time with auditors expected to sign a confidentiality agreement to ensure no conflict of interest.
“That’s something that will have to come back to the board to decide. If it is a situation that might have to be referred back to the FICAC and to the Police, that’s what will happen. It’s not a closed investigation, its one to come out with answers,” Mazey said when asked if the allegations are proven to be true.
The 16 issues to be investigated include the Fiji Airways and FSC contra deal, FSC U20 rugby 7s trip to Hamilton, FSC U20 7s team and the FSC-sponsored sports tournament, restructure of operations and staffing including pay rise, appointment as executive chairman indefinitely, CEO appointment, driver- overtime for private use, staff engagement, contracts and tender processes, motor vehicles, rampant mismanagement and unauthorised expenses, response to board resolution, staff concerns and reported breaches of policy and or law, agreement with Infinite Power Clean Energy Ltd, SportsWorx Agreement and Pacific Procurement management and Investment Services.
