Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates – 4 Feb 2017: Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, PNG, Fiji

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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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VANUATU:
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Committee update Reviewers on Vanuatu’s progress.  On 23 January 2017 the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism National Coordinating Committee of Vanuatu had its first face-to-face meeting of 2017 with the Financial Action Task Force, the International Cooperation Review Group of the FATF and the Regional Review Group to provide Vanuatu’s progress since December 2016.
http://dailypost.vu/news/anti-money-laundering-and-counter-terrorism-committee-update-reviewers-on/article_d53cb40e-a9b0-5c48-a197-f79d3d364089.html
SOLOMON ISLANDS:
Ombudsman recommends prosecution of MP Nevu.  The Office of the Ombudsman has recommenced the prosecution of Member of Parliament Hosea Nevu saying the Santo constituency MP has breached the Leadership Code.
http://dailypost.vu/news/ombudsman-recommends-prosecution-of-mp-nevu/article_e4a7c203-3572-55ab-bf63-647a3018a49a.html
Ombudsman upheld decision on accused PS.  TheOffice of the Ombudsman says it will not comment on the court’s decision to allow Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Service permanent secretary to resume official duties.
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/12120-ombudsman-upheld-decision-on-accused-ps
No information on PM’s text, says Commission.  The Office of the Leadership Code Commission denied receiving any formal complaint regarding the recent text message exchange between Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and an Asian miner.
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/12095-no-information-on-pm-s-text-lcc
PAPUA NEW GUINEA:
PM orders investigation of two senior ministers. Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has ordered an investigation into alleged land fraud contract worth K46.6 million (US$14.6 million) involving two senior ministers in Government.
http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=646354060589116e1b680977b7f478
FIJI:
Elections body allowed to lapse out of existence.  With an election looming in Fiji in 2018, the commission responsible for overseeing preparations has been allowed to lapse out of existence.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201831387/fiji-elections-body-allowed-to-lapse-out-of-existence
DPP’s Office obtains restraining order for over $1.2M worth of property.  The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has successfully obtained a restraining order for over $1.2 million worth of property.
http://fijivillage.com/news-feature/DPPs-Office-obtains-restraining-order-for-over-12M-worth-of-property-k9r52s/
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

Maria Lee, Peace & Development Administrative Assistant, UNDP/UNODC, maria.lee@undp.org

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