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The Fiji Military Forces made unauthorised purchases of almost $9.5 million from Lotus Garments in 2006 while $20,000 in overpaid lodging allowances was left unrecovered and salaries of discharged officers continued to be paid, according to the latest report of the Public Accounts Committee.
The report, based on financial activities in 2006, said the unauthorised purchases from Lotus Garments were authorised by the senior military officer without any reference to the Major Tenders Board.
The RFMF also breached Finance Instructions 2005 when it consistently made payments in 2006 on photocopied local purchase orders, the report said.
Almost $20,000 in overpaid lodging allowances to officers occupying the married quarters remained to be recovered despite the issue being raised in 2005.
“Recovery measures for the overpayment had been instituted but suspended in 2007 for no apparent reason,” the report said.
Service pensions to widows of pensioners were still being paid in full while other discrepancies such as abuse of vehicles and unaccounted quotes were also noted.
