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Leweni explains Fiji Military budget blowoutWednesday, November 26, 2008
 Taken from / By: fbcl Both Chaudhry and Leweni have told Radio Fiji News the military blew its allocated budget in 2007 because of additional security measures arising from the threat of an external invasion following the December 2006 takeover. Leweni says the military overspent its 2007 estimated budget by about 50 per cent, because it had to call in its reserves and territorial forces after receiving intelligence in 2007 that there was a threat of external invasion. The 2009 Budget estimates show an estimated $80.7milion was allocated to the military in 200. However they overspent by $40.6m, with actual expenditure that year standing at $126.28million. Leweni says the additional spending was spent mostly on the extra forces being called in. “This was for national security reasons because we found out through our sources that members of the ousted government had requested for military intervention that prompted the military to one; recall all the territorial forces soldiers and the reservists, and secondly; was to equip them in preparation, should there be a military intervention, and that required funds. So that’s why you see, there was a lot of our funds used in 2007, in those areas.” The military spokesman admits the money allocated and approved by cabinet exceeded the military’s budgetary allocation for that year. Reacting to statements made by then Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry that the right procedures were not followed during that period when the country was in a state of emergency, Leweni says the request for extra funds was approved by the Finance Ministry and passed by cabinet. “The funds was actually put through the Finance Ministry, and as you recall, he actually stated that it went through cabinet, and it was endorsed by cabinet, and all the other financial regulations were adhered to in acquiring those extra funds. It was until the approval was given by cabinet, which he actually brought to cabinet, then the funds were dispersed.” Fiji Broadcasting Corporation LTD |
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