Interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama today announced that Ratu Epeli Ganilau has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority. Chairman of the Public Service Commission Rishi Ram also confirmed the appointment. Mr Ram said "It is an honour to have such an excellent individual leading FIRCA. He will lead Fiji into a new era in tax collection and customs management".
Claims of nepotism and high level corruption have been levelled at the former Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. Interim Prime Minister Bainimarama scoffed the allegations saying "Who said that? I need to get Mara and the 3FIR on to this. I think the SDL are up to no good".
Mr Ram also dismissed the claims saying "Ratu Ganilau can handle his Fijian Affairs portfolio and this. We have got rid of the corruption associated with that guy Banuve. He has more SDL links than the vehicles bought by Mahen off Nivis."
In an exclusive interview with Fiji Nub News, the minimisation and streamling of procedures is behind the appointment. The newly appointed CEO mentioned that FIRCA and the NLTB are to be merged into one organisation. Ganilau said "Finally we can collect all revenues into one central organisation. It is now required by law to pay all taxes and leases in $50 bills".
The new requirement to pay all taxes in $50 bills has astounded many Fijians with many of the population suspecting corruption. But Ganilau remains unmoved. He said "Soon I can pay for all my activities. You know ones that the taxpayer needs to move Fiji forward". Fiji Nub News enquired about these required activities. Ganilau revealed "They are for my restaurant, transport, overseas travel, bake sale, church and brothel activities. As well as paying Ponipate Lesavua and Apakuki Kurusiga off to crucify those damn Taukei's". He also mentioned his hereditary right to everything that the NLTB and all other Fijian institutions took off him.
Fiji Nub News presented these allegations to the Interim Prime Minister. Bainimarama replied in a written press statement by saying "Ganilau has ushered a new age of transparency in FIRCA by announcing these changes. He is being upfront and honest about tax collection and the manner in which it will be spent". He concluded by saying the previous FIRCA CEO didn't even reveal what he would spend the money on despite not actually spending it.
The "$50 tax" decree is currently being finalised for promulgation by the President later this week.
1 comment:
Meanwhile...........
Bainimarama confuses Urwin
1642 FJT
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Update: 4.42pm PACIFIC Islands Forum Secretary General, Greg Urwin, rermains confused about statements by interim Prime Minister, Commander Voreqe Bainimarama, that Fiji is being pressured by the international community to hold the national election.
Mr Urwin said Fiji was part of the Fiji Joint Working Group that produced the election timetable based on an assessment that the country had fully participated in.
Commander Bainimarama has said on several occasions that Fiji will not hold an election for the sake of it.
He had also said that New Zealand's stand on Fiji and the strike by trade unions could possibly be blamed if Fiji does not hold an election.
Urwin is confused??? I think maybe Frank is confused - more than that - he's a candidate for the Edna Everage Home for the Bewildered. Perhaps Fiji's participation in the Pac Forum was like most things associated with the IIG. A junket and a jaunt where much piss could be sunk to the point where stupidity could go unnoticed and lies told could be passed off later as a sick joke.
Frank is obviously so thick it can disguise embarassment that most people would feel.
Post a Comment