Report Reveals TCSI Commissioner’s Questionable Spending, Raises Concerns Over Financial Transparency and Accountability
A report from the Telecommunications Commission of Solomon Islands’ (TCSI) Evaluation Committee has raised serious concerns about the Commissioner’s spending and conduct in office. The findings, submitted to the Minister of Civil Aviation and Communication in June 2024, highlight significant issues with the Commissioner’s financial decisions, conduct in office and spendings. The Minister of Communication, who took office in May 2024, has the authority to act on the Evaluation Committee’s findings.
But the Minister explained to Tavuli News that he had been too busy with other matters to address the report. He also stated that, as a new minister, he had been familiarizing himself with the work of both the civil aviation and communication departments. However, the Minister said that, now that the matter has been brought to his attention, he will look into the issue and take the necessary steps to address the concerns raised by the Evaluation Committee. He emphasized that he will not hesitate to take the necessary action once he has fully reviewed the report.
It is understood that the Evaluation Committee has reached out to the Minister requesting a meeting regarding the concerns raised in the report but has not been able to do so to date.
The Evaluation Committee’s report, also obtained by Tavuli News, highlights several large expenditures unrelated to the Commission’s core activities. These include cash advances by the Commissioner totaling more than $140,000 with no proper repayment plans, the purchase of a portable sawmill for private use valued at $150,000, private meals at a coffee bar amounting to more than $26,000, and many other questionable expenditures.
In addition, TCSI has not produced annual reports or financial statements since 2021, with the last publicly available audited financial statement, conducted by the Office of the Auditor General, being from 2019. The Procedure Unit of Parliament has confirmed that it has not received any reports from TCSI since 2021.
TCSI is an independent statutory authority, funded through service license fees paid to the Commission by telecommunications operators in the Solomon Islands. This funding mechanism ensures that the Commission operates without relying on parliamentary budget appropriations, allowing it to manage the country’s telecommunications sector independently of direct government control. The Commissioner, in consultation with the statutory Evaluation Committee, is responsible for overseeing the Commission’s strategic and operational management.
The Evaluation Committee’s role is crucial in overseeing TCSI’s financial management and ensuring transparency and accountability in its operations. The committee reviews financial decisions, expenditures, and compliance with legal and procedural requirements, offering recommendations for necessary actions or improvements.
While the Evaluation Committee plays a significant role in assessing TCSI’s operations, it is ultimately the responsibility of the Minister of Civil Aviation and Communication to act on the findings. The Minister has the authority to take necessary actions based on the Committee’s recommendations, including initiating inquiries or implementing corrective measures. The Minister can also hold the Commissioner accountable for any identified issues, ensuring that the Commission adheres to proper financial practices and transparency standards.
