Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates – 26 Dec 2016: Fiji, PNG, Solomons, Vanuatu
These updates are provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs
and Crime (UNODC) Regional Anti-Corruption Project for Southeast Asia, and the
joint UNODC - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption
(UN-PRAC) Project, with support of the Australian Government.
If a link below does not work, please copy and paste the link
into your browser’s address bar instead.
FIJI:
Duo charged by FICAC for causing
loss to Education Ministry pleads not guilty. Two men charged by Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption
for causing the loss of $33,012 to the Ministry of Education have pleaded not
guilty in the Suva Magistrates Court.
FICAC Given Time To Consolidate
Charges for Accused. Magistrate Makereta Mua has
given time to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption to consolidate
the two files they have against the former Secretary of the Independent Legal
Services Commission.http://fijisun.com.fj/2016/12/21/ficac-given-time-to-consolidate-charges-for-accused/
FICAC works on ensuring
accountability. The Fiji Independent
Commission Against Corruption says it will continue to investigate schools that
use Government grants for other purposes.
FICAC checks hardware
shops. The Fiji Independent Commission
Against Corruption is investigating some hardware shops around the country.
PNG:
Kavo case back to lower
court. The Waigani National Court has quashed
a committal court ruling to have Gulf Governor Havila Kavo stand trial on a
charge of misappropriating K783,195 of public funds.
Why police abuse in PNG is
widespread, says Kalaut. Police abuse remains
prevalent because intakes were not properly screened, says NCD-Central
Commander, Assistant Commissioner Sylvester Kalaut.
Over 8,000 litigation
matters. Over 8,000 cases of State Litigation
are now registered with the office of the Solicitor General and 19 percent of
those cases relate to police abuses, says top police boss.
SOLOMON ISLANDS:
Solomons builder charged over
depleted health fund. A businessman in
Solomon Islands has been charged in connection with the alleged theft of
thousands of dollars from a public health fund.
Prendergast: investigations
on-going. Police are still actively
investigating the Ministry of Health and Medical Service $10 million scandal,
says Police Commissioner Frank Prendergast.
VANUATU:
Justice’s Acting DG promises
continuity. “Let me assure you all that while
I am in this position, I look forward to working with you to ensuring that
continuity prevails at all levels,” said Pacco Siri new Acting Director General
of the Ministry of Justice and Community Services.
For more
information about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project,
please contact:
Maria
Adomeit, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, maria.adomeit@unodc.org
Mihaela
Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org
Luisa
Senibulu, Governance Programme Associate, UNDP/UNODC, luisa.senibulu@undp.org
Samita Singh,
Programme Assistant - Anti-Corruption, UNDP/UNODC, samita.singh@undp.org