THE iTaukei Affairs Board said the 14-year backlog of provincial council accounts was the product of previous administrations.
This was the response from the board to the Public Accounts Committee.
During its review of audit accounts for provincial councils, PAC had enquired with the board as to what action had been taken to address the backlog.
“This backlog was inherited from past management and the current management is not in a position to confirm the specific reasons as to why such decisions were made then,” said deputy CEO Josefa Toganivalu.
His response was contained in the Standing Committee on Public Accounts report on six provincial councils from 2000–2007 that was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday.
“There are a total of 254 pending accounts including annual accounts of the iTaukei Affairs Board.
“iTaukei Affairs Board has established a task force to ensure 98 outstanding annual accounts are prepared.
“With the change in management in 2008, the iTaukei Affairs Board and the provincial councils experienced a remodel and the much-needed transition was nothing but timely and rational.
“The current management is committed and will strive towards making gradual and consistent improvements going forward.”
PAC had asked the iTaukei Affairs Board to provide details on dividend returns from Fijian Holdings Ltd, Yasana Holdings Ltd and iTaukei Land Trust Board for the 14 provincial councils since inception, which Mr Toganivalu said the board was unable to do.
“Missing records is a major challenge hence details of requested returns on only available information as provided to the auditors at time of audit is available.”
