More collaboration is needed between the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS), Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) to strengthen the FCS’ financial management system.
This was highlighted by the chairman of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure while moving a motion to review the FCS 2017-2018 annual report in Parliament on Wednesday.
He said the collaboration was one of the recommendations made to ensure serious discrepancies in future reported financial statements were minimised.
After reviewing the report, the committee recommended the FCS to conduct a thorough review of its human resources, policies, plans and develop strategies to help to build capacity on the staff entity level in the service.
“There were a few pertinent issues identified by the previous committee on the review of the FCS annual report,” he said.
Ratu Rakuita said this included sustainability in retaining its key staff members to meet the international correction to inmate ratio, which was one correction officer to five inmates and insufficient information on the promotion of gender inequality.
“However, after clarification, it was noted that the FCS has invested considerable efforts in implementing policies that promote gender equality and empowerment.
“The committee appreciated the fact that there was a high number of staff turnover for the service but acknowledged the FCS for trying to ensure to maintain service delivery, which is in par with international standards.”
