Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum

Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has set the record straight on the claims made by NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad.

Prasad claimed in parliament today that RBF Governor’s appointment to be a board member of other government entities is totally a conflict of interest.

These claims made by Prasad prompted the Sayed-Khaiyum to reveal past practices that highlights the same issue.

“Savenaca Narube sat on the Fintel Board, he sat on the FSC Board, Mr Speaker the next two take the cake, and he sat on the FNPF Board of which he is the regulator.”

Sayed-Khaiyum further revealed former RBF Governor Savenaca Narube’s involvement which was totally a contradiction to his post.

“And the most revealing fact was this, in 2000 he was the permanent secretary for finance and the governor simultaneously at the same time he was the PS for Finance and governor at the same time, My Speaker sir I did not hear anybody talk about that.”

Sayed-Khaiyum also put Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka under the spotlight for failing to listen to RBF’s advice under his leadership in government.

“I wonder if he heeded the advice of the Governor of the Reserve Bank then about NBF and where it was heading because he talked about whether the Governor of the RBF at the moment is giving us the right advice.”

The Minister for Economy also said that our economy cannot be compared to the US economy as there is a vast difference on the financial status of the US and Fiji.