Parliament erupted today following revelations that the Auditor General had not received receipts accounting for $60 million allocated for COVID-19 relief.
In 2020, the government introduced a TOP$60 million stimulus package aimed at alleviating economic pressures from the pandemic. The Auditor General’s recent report indicates a lack of documentation for these expenditures.
The mention of this report in the House sparked heated exchanges, notably involving former Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni and Minister of Infrastructure Sevenitini Toumo’ua. Both attempted to justify the missing records by citing unrelated issues, such as building projects and road maintenance.
Chairman of the Whole House Committee, Lord Tu’ilakepa, intervened to restore order, urging members to maintain decorum during the debates.
Sovaleni, who led the government from 2021 until his resignation in December 2024, asserted that the relevant records reside with the Ministry of Finance and should be verified there.
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. ‘Aisake Eke, also serving as Minister of Finance, emphasized that the Auditor’s report highlighted the absence of expenditure records.
Both the Minister of Police Hon. Paula Piukala and the Minister of Infrastructure Hon. Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi reminded the House that the core issue was the Auditor General’s inability to locate any receipts.
