Updated: 6:35am – A strong statement was made by the Deputy Commander of the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces to the Public Accounts Committee yesterday after the Auditor General’s Office recommended that the RFMF should make a cost and benefit analysis on the salvaging of naval vessels.
While making submissions on the 2016 Auditor General’s Report, Brigadier General Mohammed Aziz said they accept the financial observations of the Auditor General’s Office but what is on paper is different to what the RFMF is experiencing out there.
Brigadier General Aziz made these comments after Public Accounts Committee Deputy Chairman Mohammed Dean asked a representative of the Auditor General’s Office present at the meeting to state their recommendation – whether the RFMF should keep salvaging the vessels or write them off and buy new vessels.
Brigadier General Aziz also highlighted their plans to get other vessels to increase the Fiji Navy’s capabilities.
Only three naval vessels are currently operational in Fiji and they are RFNS Kula, Levuka and Lautoka.
The RFNS Kiro ran aground in July 2016 while the RFNS Kikau is undergoing a refit in Australia.
-Fiji Village
Featured image: Brigadier General Mohammed Aziz while making submissions on the 2016 Auditor General’s Report
