Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates – 21 Jan 2017: PNG, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa

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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.

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PNG:
Polye questions independence of Electoral Commissioner.  PNG's opposition leader has again expressed his deep concern over the independence of the Electoral Commissioner as the country nears general elections.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/322656/png's-polye-questions-independence-of-electoral-commissioner
PNG to make its officer recruitment programme more transparent
The Papua New Guinea police force say they've been forced to suspend their officer recruitment programme, as they struggle to deal with the rise in reported incidents of corruption.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-18/en-to-make-its-officer-recruitment-programme-more/8191044

VANUATU:
Cracking down on money laundering.  A top Vanuatu financial official has rejected suggestions his country is on the verge of being blacklisted by the OECD's Financial Action Task Force.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-13/vanuatu-says-it-is-cracking-down-on-money/8181326

FIJI:
Estate Officer of ITaukei Land Trust Board charged with two counts of bribery.  The Nadi Magistrates Court has convicted a former Estate Officer of the ITaukei Land Trust Board for two counts of bribery.
http://fijivillage.com/news/Estate-Officer-of-ITaukei-Land-Trust-Board-charged-with-two-counts-of-bribery--29skr5/
Nisha charged by FICAC to take her plea on 3rd March.  The former Independent Legal Services Commission Secretary who is charged by Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption with corruption related charges will take her plea on 3rd March.
http://fijivillage.com/news/Nisha-charged-by-FICAC-to-take-her-plea-on-3rd-March-s9k25r/

SAMOA:
Politician takes legal action over nonu juice business.  A director of a nonu juice company in Samoa who is the Associate Minister of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Peseta Vaifou Tevaga, has gone to court for alleged dishonesty.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/322674/samoa-politician-takes-legal-action-over-nonu-juice-business

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

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