The two, Sen and Maharaj, are accused of getting information from Singh under false pretext to raise it in a Special FNU Council Meeting but passed it to the then Vice-Chancellor Ganesh Chand; What makes matters worse is that Sen and Maharaj are also members of the powerful FNU's Audit Committee and the Financial Resources Committee. Maharaj is the Chair of the former, Sen (nominee of the Fiji Institute of Accountants) is the chair of the latter
Andrew Singh, the former FNU's Manager Finance Project to FICAC:
FIJILEAKS has obtained a copy of the e-mail Singh wrote (just a day before Ganesh Chand fired him) to Maharaj and Sen, which the two are accused of passing it onto Ganesh Chand
On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 7:04 PM
Hi Arvind,
Here's just a sample of my concerns regarding some of the various matters that really troubled me during my short time at the FNU, ultimately prompting my resignation on 20/8/14:
1. Kiru EU saga - I now have reasons to believe that the DF and VC have misled the Audit and FR Committees and are deliberately downplaying the severity of the matter. In my view, the 2013 financials should include a potential contingent liability of EUR 2.6M (F$6M) by way of notes to the accounts or alternatively, a provision for such amount ought to be made. The DF has been deliberately dragging the chain over this saga and has went to such an extreme to avoid liability by telling the EU that Fiji School of Medicine (FSM) did not exist, hence FNU was not liable. This is despite s45 of FNU Decree stating that FNU is liable for the contract entered by FSM. I also have reasons to believe that fraud may have been committed but don't have any cogent evidence by whom.
2. My concerns about the purchase of the Navua Farm by the VC from Tembara Meats without Council approval. VC has a long close and personal friendship with Tembara's MD Firoz. VC forced me to join DF attend Firoz's residence on 28 July for Eid lunch during normal FNU business hours from 2-5pm. I felt very uncomfortable with this arrangement.
3. My concerns about DF's competence in holding 2 roles (Finance and HR) for which he neither has the required qualifications and/or expertise. He's neither a CA or CPA, yet at times holds out to be one. He also has a close and very personal relationship with the VC (both were room mates during their time at USP) and I question his consultant DF/DHR roles since 2010. Initially he was on a 3 year work permit and ought to have trained a local for the job and left. The 2 departments that he manages (finance and HR) are in total shambles. The bank reconciliations are currently behind by some 4 months (last bank rec was April 2014 - meaning that the financials supplied to the FRC at its 12 August meeting was incomplete and/or misleading). The DF has no professional ethics, and with the VC, treats Committee members with sheer contempt - especially those who scrutinise the financials and other business proposals. Most of the time the DF spends in NZ for medical treatment (he has had 4 heart stent surgeries in the past). He also sits as the Housing Authority and the Public Rental Board chair. No wonder the finance and HR department that he heads are in tatters - he hardly has the time to diligently discharge both roles. He has deliberately failed to convene a Special Meeting which the Audit Committee directed him at its 12 August meeting.
4. I am also concerned about honest, competent and hard working staff leaving FNU due to the arrogant and heavy handed management style of the VC and the DF. These are mostly finance and HR staff.
5. I am further concerned about the degree of nepotism and cronyism practised by the VC and DF in the recruitment of FNU staff. People who are loyal to both these men are promoted to Director level without the required qualification and or experience. I am advised that a Krishna was promoted by the VC to the role of Director of Property. This guy has no expertise in properties. Similarly, the current Navua Farm Manager has no farming qualifications or background whatsoever. Both men are distant relations of the VC.
6. FNU has a Internal Audit Manager, yet engaged PWC to do its internal audit at high fees. This begs the question - why does FNU have an internal audit manager? I am advised that the only job the manager does is conducting investigations and reporting to the VC on non internal audit issues. Quite frankly, in my entire professional career I have never seen an Audit Manager reporting directly to the CEO - he must be reporting either to the Audit Committee directly or the Council. Even FNU's Policy says so.
7. I am concerned about the large amounts of FNU money that the VC spent on Filipe Bole and his family's medical treatment overseas in the past. When I questioned the DF about this, he informed that as the Chancellor Bole was entitled to the use of FNU funds but I cannot find any policy on this, nor there's any such provision in the FNU Decree.
8. Finally, I am concerned about the VC and DF's conduct using FNU credit card for their personal business expense. PWC mentioned these in their snapshot internal audit report. Staff do not have the courage to confront both men with this issue for fear of victimisation, retaliation or simply losing their job.
I have copied Uday Sen for his reference. The current situation is that after I resigned, DF tried to waive the 3 months notice period and asked me to leave FNU immediately. When I refused his waiver and pointed out that I wanted to complete the Kiri EU saga for the Audit Committee's Special Meeting, he retaliated by making a false allegation against me to the VC for insubordination and misconduct. The VC has appointed the internal audit manager to investigate me. I have never seen this kind of farce in my entire life.
I think time has come that the Council Members pass a vote of no confidence in the VC. Both he and the DF must go for the long term interest of FNU and its stakeholders.
Regards,
ANDREW M SINGH
Fijileaks Editor: We will continue to reveal more: how Ganesh Chand allegedly improperly used FNU funds to fight defamation case against Fiji Times and also against FNU staff Pusp Chand and reportedly "pocketed" the damages granted. And many more revelations to follow re FNUGate!
DOUBLE STANDARD: Museum director Buadromo charged by FICAC for not calling tender of $15,000 and yet it has let Ganesh Chand roam around Fiji with a payoff of over $600,000 by FNU Council; his alleged partner in crime Narendra Prasad allowed to flee to New Zealand; FICAC had given assurance to Andrew Singh that they were going to take Ganesh Chand into custody by 14 December - its now 18 February 2015!
The Hand That Shakes With You Can't Be Handcuffed by FICAC?