PACIFIC POLYTECH SCANDAL. Ganesh CHAND provided $50,000 lift-off money to Polytech after 40 'technical trainers and experts' met at Global Girmit Institute in February 2021. Prasad gives $5million to PP in Budget

POWER COUPLE: Were Biman Prasad, as Director of Fiji Institute of Applied Studies (FIAS) and his wife Rajni Chand, as Trustee of the Global Institute (GGI), present during the formation of the Pacific Polytech, held on 15 February 2021 at GGI - the Murgi ke Darba (Chicken Coop) in Lautoka

TAIWAN CONNECTION: There are allegations that Taiwanese government gave $50,000 during the initial setting up of Pacific Polytech (PP) but their alleged financial contribution is not listed in the 2021 PP Financial Audit Report.
*We call on FICAC to establish if Taiwan gave $50,000 to Pacific Polytech in 2021.

Fijileaks: During the setting up of the Pacific Polytech, Ganesh Chand (with FFP in power) tried to cover up his role by referring to himself in all correspondence (most in our possession) as 'Technical Advisor' but on
4 March 2024 (with Coalition in power and Biman Prasad as Finance Minister), he became a DIRECTOR while Pacific Polytech (PP) lists him only as Chairperson.

Fijileaks: On 5 December 2023, Ganesh Chand removed most of the original personnel, replacing Jone Dakuvula from the Chairmanship, and himself becoming Chair (more in next instalment). But Chand has not disclosed that he is also Director.

Fijileaks: We are reliably informed that G.Lal and I. Naiveli & Co, auditors, had declined to audit the PolyTech accounts after raising certain specific queries. In the end, G. Prasad & Associates audited it, the auditor's who hastily audited Global Girmit Institute accounts for 2018-2021 (2022 missing) in one sweep, in 2023, after the GCI was re-registered in February 2023, to enable it to receive $200,000 from Biman Prasad during girmit celebrations.
*One of the donors ($500) to GGI was 'Ratu G Prasad'.
*We call on Ficac to establish if 'Ratu G Prasad' was GGI auditor,
​G Prasad & Associates?

*As we have argued, Prasad didn't disclose his wife's links in his declarations under the Political Parties Act and he also did not disclose in his legally required declaration of 2023 for the year ending 2022 that he was a FIAS Director (see his campaign poster flyer)

Fijileaks: To be continued

High Court Judge Justice Chamath Morais has discharged former Vice‑Chancellor of Fiji National University Dr. Ganesh Chand after FICAC lawyer Rashmi Aslam filed for a discontinuation of the case.

Aslam while explaining to the court on the application said that after examining the evidences of the case, they have come to a conclusion where they need the availability of a certain witness to prove their case. It was not revealed in court on whether FICAC was in touch with the named witness.

Aslam said that FICAC is not concluding the matter but when the witness becomes available they will continue with the matter.

Chand was charged with one count of abuse of office by FICAC.It was alleged that Chand between 14th November 2012 and 4th July 2013 whilst being employed as the Vice Chancellor of the Fiji National University, approved payments amounting to $213,905.05 for overseas medical treatment for the Chairman of FNU, Filipe Bole from the university’s funds.

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From Fijileaks Archive, 10 June 2023

FIAS TO PACIFIC POLYTECH:
*How could Ganesh Chand, as Chairperson, FIAS Board of Trustees, transfer the assets of FIAS to Pacific Polytech, of which he was 'Technical Advisor' and had loaned $50,000 to set it up?
*In his 2022 election campaign, Biman Prasad as leader of the National Federation Party boasted that he was Director of FIAS. 
*Well, FICAC should take him into custody for not declaring his directorship in his 2023 declaration to the Supervisor of Elections.
*We understand that both, GGI and FIAS, were de-registered in February 2022 for failing to provide their financial statements. While GGI was hastily re-registered by the Chands - Rajni and Ganesh, we are still examining the legal status of FIAS, and whether Ganesh Chand was authorized by Biman Prasad to hand over FIAS to Pacific Polytech.

From: Ganesh Chand 
Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2022, 11:37 am
Subject: FIAS
To: Nadesa Goundar , Biman Prasad, Ravindra Pillay, Rajni Chand Kaushal, Sunil Kumar, Chandra Dulare, sk.clabss 

While CP is getting FIAS registered in Aus, for Fiji can you think on how we can get it legal again?
Options:
1. re-register as trust
2. register as non-profit entity
3. create an institute within PP... (like you have centres etc at USP)
4. create new entity - a new think tank (for which CP is writing the proposal for funding)
G [Ganesh]

Fijileaks to FICAC: Under the Political Parties Act, Section 24, BIMAN PRASAD as leader of the NFP, did not disclose in 2023 his FIAS directorship nor his wife's trusteeship of the Global Girmit Institute in his 2017-2023 Declarations.
*We have examined his declarations (2014-2024).
​*Its clear as daylight that both FIAS and GGI played an active role in the formation of Pacific Polytech.
Prasad has handed over $6m of public funds to PP.