A number of anomalies were noted in the general repair and maintenance work at the Fiji Embassy properties in Wellington, New Zealand.

Volume 2 of the Auditor General report for 2010 states the Ministry of Foreign Affairs failed to submit the projects progress and completion reports to the Public Works Tender Board.

The Ministry also failed to submit a copy of signed contract agreement between Freear Philip Ltd and the Fiji High Commission.

The report which has been tabled in Parliament also states that several variations were approved and paid by the mission without prior approval of the PWTB – resulting in the total contract price to exceed by $16, 512.

The Auditor General’s report also says Fiji Mission in India failed to comply with the lease agreement, and as a result paid 3 months’ rent of over $61, 000 as penalty.

The 2010 Audit also found out that the Missions properties in the United Kingdom were in appalling condition and not suitable for entertaining guests as required in the diplomatic world.

The Audit at Fiji Mission in Sydney found that the Consular have been charging different rates for the same revenue collection.

Stale cheques were carried forward for over a year without being regularized and the Consular Generals business plans did not have realistic targets.

The Fiji Mission in Canberra failed to make their bill payments on time as a result – disconnection of meters, late payment penalty and using the following year budget to settle the current year dues were recurring activities.

The Audit at Beijing Mission found that an officer did not meet the Minimum Qualification Requirement of a Third Secretary was appointed to the position.