Transparency Major Challenge For Our Municipal Councils
Mark Hirst-Tuilau has raised a legitimate concern about transparency in municipal council administration.
The special administrator chair Tavua and Rakiraki raised his concern after the Auditor General’s
Report 2018-2019 highlighted that the council took $131,910 from a contractor to clear a debt.
It tantamounts to a conflict of interest. It happened before Mr Hurst-Tuilau took over the reins.
He has a big task ahead of him to ensure that the council is transparent in its dealing - that its activities are known by the ratepayers and stakeholders.
We hope that Mr Hirst-Tuilau will have no problems trying to make things transparent in the council.
It may require changing a culture and mindset.
In the absence of an elected council the appointment of administrators and executive staff is based on good faith and trust.
It means that the councils will follow the principles of good governance. Transparency and accountability go hand in hand.
Transparency protects administrators from sliding into dangerous areas like the one highlighted by the Auditor General. It allows stakeholders to critique council proposals to commit council funds for projects before decisions are made.
Take for example the controversy over the delay in the construction of the Lautoka Swimming Pool. It was under investigation after a meeting between the Ratepayers Association and three members of the Ba and Lautoka Special Administrators and Lautoka City Council Chamber on the increased cost from $7.2 million to $12.6 million. The cash-strapped Nasinu Town Council was subjected to a loss of more than $400,000 through an alleged procurement scam.
The case is before the court and six people are facing charges brought by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption for alleged bribery and corruption. There could be issues in other councils.
Mr Hirst-Tuilau has highlighted a pertinent issue. He is setting a new benchmark for other councils to follow.
It will prevent costly projects and expensive legal battles.