Bus Fare Scam

ASigatoka businessman, Ministry of Education staff members and Land Transport Authority ( LTA) personnel are under the spotlight for an alleged bus fare scam.

The alleged scam involves hundreds of thousands of dollars dubiously taken from the Government. Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is investigating a businessman who falsified claims via the Ministry of Education’s transport vouchers for children.

Minister Rosy Akbar confirmed that FICAC was investigating the matter and would release a statement on the issue in due course. It is alleged that the businessman

from Sigatoka colluded with a staff member from the Ministry of Education in Sigatoka and a senior staff in Suva. The businessman in question provided transport to children via the transport voucher system.

It is alleged that the businessman was receiving payments for falsified claims. It is also alleged that the education staff members were bribed by the businessman as the alleged falsified payment was shared among those involved.

It is believed that LTA personnel were party to the alleged scam too. It is believed that FICAC is investigating a senior Ministry of Education officer for misappropriation of funds. No one has been charged yet.

Transport vouchers were mostly used to provide transport assistance before the electronic ticketing or e-ticketing system came into play.

However, in largely rural areas where children travel by the RSL registered carriers, the vouchers are still used.