 | *We understand that he will walk away with a much smaller financial package than the rumoured $1.4million that was touted for a long time. His fate was sealed at the 99th USP Council meeting at Auckland, New Zealand. He is expected to exit USP in a couple of weeks. Until then, he will just be a 'Caretaker VC' - Lame Duck! |
GATECRASHER: What the hell was Biman Prasad doing at the Auckland meeting as Finance Minister (Aiyaz Khaiyum all over again)? It should have been left to the Education Minister Aseri Radrodro to represent Fiji
Pal Ahluwalia, Biman Prasad and Aseri Radrodro at the opening of the 99th USP Council Meeting at Auckland University. 20 May 2025
21 May 2025 The Fijian Deputy Prime Minister and Minster for Finance Biman Prasad says suggestions that he is colluding with the University of the South Pacific (USP) vice-chancellor and president are "nonsense".
Prasad and Education Minister Aseri Radrodro are in Auckland for the 99th USP Council meeting this week.
He has been accused of colluding with USP's chief executive Professor Pal Ahluwalia in a "clear case of conflict of interest".
"The USP Council is aware that USP is experiencing a leadership crisis," according to a letter to editor published by the Samoa Observer.
"Professor Pal Ahluwalia has unfortunately turned out to be a divisive and demoralising head of the regional institution lacking in vision, statecraft and worst of all the undermining of staff of regional member countries.
"He has a close personal relationship with the DPM Prasad.
"We have confirmed reports that over the past week, [Prasad] and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Gurmeet Singh have been meeting with Professor Ahluwalia at the VCP's residence, a clear case of collusion."
However, Prasad has called the allegations "nonsense," telling RNZ Pacific, "I met him many times at his house."
"I meet a lot of people at the university. I was a professor at the university, and many of these people right around the table are my friends [with] whom I have had lunch, dinner, coffee. I have visited their places. The Prime Minister of Samoa is a good friend of mine. You know, when she comes, she comes to my home. So I can't understand this nonsense that comes from people. Some people have nothing else to do."
The regional university is jointly owned by 12 Pacific Island governments.
The institution has been facing ongoing problems involving leadership and staff dissatisfaction, with Fiji-based unions picketing last October after the sacking of a staff union leader.
Prasad and Education Minister Aseri Radrodro are in Auckland for the 99th USP Council meeting this week.
He has been accused of colluding with USP's chief executive Professor Pal Ahluwalia in a "clear case of conflict of interest".
"The USP Council is aware that USP is experiencing a leadership crisis," according to a letter to editor published by the Samoa Observer.
"Professor Pal Ahluwalia has unfortunately turned out to be a divisive and demoralising head of the regional institution lacking in vision, statecraft and worst of all the undermining of staff of regional member countries.
"He has a close personal relationship with the DPM Prasad.
"We have confirmed reports that over the past week, [Prasad] and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Gurmeet Singh have been meeting with Professor Ahluwalia at the VCP's residence, a clear case of collusion."
However, Prasad has called the allegations "nonsense," telling RNZ Pacific, "I met him many times at his house."
"I meet a lot of people at the university. I was a professor at the university, and many of these people right around the table are my friends [with] whom I have had lunch, dinner, coffee. I have visited their places. The Prime Minister of Samoa is a good friend of mine. You know, when she comes, she comes to my home. So I can't understand this nonsense that comes from people. Some people have nothing else to do."
The regional university is jointly owned by 12 Pacific Island governments.
The institution has been facing ongoing problems involving leadership and staff dissatisfaction, with Fiji-based unions picketing last October after the sacking of a staff union leader.
From Fijileaks Archive, 22 April 2016
*For years we believed BIMAN PRASAD was a paragon of virtue and truth until we got hold recently of his 'Lotus Construction (Fiji) Ltd File' and his statutory declarations from 2014-2024.
*We had also supported Pal Ahluwalia against FFP dictatorship.
