Mayor misusing Council privileges: CCF
Thursday August 30, 2007

CCF CEO Rev Akuila Yabaki

Fiji's Citizen's Constitutional Forum has accused Suva Lord Mayor Ratu Peni Volavola of "misusing Council privileges again".

CCF chief executive officer, Reverend Akuila Yabaki in a press statement expressed concern that Ratu Peni had decided to take his official mayoral vehicle to Vanua Levu for personal use at the Methodist Conference in Macuata.

Ratu Peni was recently appointed the vice president of the Methodist Church in Fiji.

He denies misusing Council privileges saying as Mayor of Suva he is entitled to use the mayoral vehicle in his personal capacity.

"Last year, the CCF raised concern that Ratu Peni Volavola had reportedly donated $5000 to the Methodist Church via the Suva City Council choir which participated at the conference choir competition. The CCF calls for further enquiry into the alleged misuse of Council funds and it appears that it was allowed to pass unnoticed.

"Given the way money has climbed to the top of the Methodist Church agenda in its recent media publicity, the connection may not be purely coincidental," Rev Yabaki claims.

"One would have thought the Methodist Church would have picked such a person for vice president, who was prudent, non-materialistic, humble and endowed with good governance practices."