Stolen vehicles

Simon Hazelman, Savusavu The revelation that two stolen vehicles from New Zealand were imported to be used as spare parts is not only surprising but it raises the question of how long has such contraband been imported and if other importers are doing the same?

If such huge items like cars can be stolen and imported, one can only imagine what else is being imported to be sold for great profits?

I believe Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) have only just scratched the surface of a much larger problem.

If there is one particular area FRCS needs to focus their efforts on to curb this corrupt practice, it is within FRCS, because anything can be brought in if it can slip through itchy hands along our borders? Transparency International, the global coalition against corruption, rates New Zealand as the cleanest country in the world when it comes to corruption so it would not surprise me that NZ Customs were involved here. The second pressing question here is how are we progressing to put controls in place to end such corrupt practices? Where are we making substantial changes that will bring about real improvements? Marginal improvements is not good enough because it will only curb the problem.

A comprehensive approach is necessary and government must invest heavily into eliminating such corruption.