Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission chief executive Joel Abraham

“It is important to assess the merits of complaints”.

Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission chief executive Joel Abraham made the statement as part of a submission on the Code of Conduct Bill.

Before the parliamentary standing committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, Abraham explained that whenever there is a need for investigation even if it’s against a public official, the merits of the complaint needs to be assessed and screened for any collaborating evidence.

“We want the people to have that level of facts that they able to lodge complaints, that they able to hold public official accountable and at the same time the Commission needs to ensure that proper screening is done before they proceed with any investigation.”

Meanwhile Abraham highlighted to the committee that on average, the FCCC receives close to three thousand complaints annually.

Complaints, the chief executive noted ranged between tip offs and formal lodgements.