The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) will assess a complaint against the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka, Fiji Airways and others for allegations of abuse of office and fraud relating to the Feast of the Tabernacle Israel trip last year.
FICAC acting deputy commissioner Francis Puleiwai said yesterday an update would also be provided.
Fiji Airways, in partnership with the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem and Faith Harvest Church, operated a charter service flight last year from Nadi via Hong Kong to Tel Aviv, Israel for delegates to attend the annual Feast of the Tabernacle.
A charter agreement was signed between Fiji Airways and the charterer WABS Pacific, also trading as Pacific Voyager, according to documents provided.
The agreement confirmed a FJ$3 million bill for the charter flight and the complaint said this contradicted the FJ$2 million cost as publicly claimed by Mr Gavoka.
Passengers disembarking the charter flight from Israel to Nadi. Photo: Leon Lord
Pacific Voyager was alleged to have been the front company used by the Tourism minister while WABS used its other company, Kane Holdings as the guarantor of the payments if a default occurred, with the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and Faith Harvest Church as the other guarantors.
Fiji Airways allegedly did not register the agreement with the Fiji Personal Property Securities Registry, nor was proper vetting of the travel agency and the churches conducted.
Mr Gavoka was alleged to have abused office by authorising the charter with the understanding there were not enough funds available to cover the $3 million fee from Fiji Airways.
The complaint alleged that of the total amount paid by the passengers, only $400,000 was paid to Fiji Airways, which left an outstanding balance of $2.6 million.
SunBiz’s questions to Mr Gavoka and Fiji Airways went unanswered before this edition went to print.
A source said the charter flight was a confidential commercial matter and Fiji Airways was bound by non-disclosure agreements.
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