Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates 8 April 2017: Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Nauru

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Project, with support of the Australian Government.

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FIJI:
Anti-corruption curriculum planned.  The Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption (FICAC) is looking at introducing an anti-corruption curriculum at school level, according to FICAC Senior State Counsel, Francis Puleiwai.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=395581
Write-offs concern PAC.  Permanent Secretary for Fiji's Ministry of Education Iowane Tiko and two directors -- director Finance Donish Lal and director AMU Serupepeli Udre -- presented to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the Auditor-General's audit findings for years 2014 and 2015.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=395564
FICAC probes claim.  The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating a man, who is alleged to have fraudulently collected MPAISA cards from a village on Taveuni and received materials under the Help for Homes initiative for his own use.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=395469

PNG:
Ombudsman Commission can investigate PM O’Neil: Supreme Court.  The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court has ruled that the Ombudsman Commission has the power to investigate Prime Minister Peter O’Neill regarding the Government’s “alleged improper borrowing” of K3 billion from an overseas bank in 2014.
http://news.pngfacts.com/2017/04/ombudsman-commission-has-power-to.html

SOLOMON ISLANDS:
Sikua disclosures still to be done.  The prosecution is yet to provide full disclosures on the case of the suspended Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services Edmond Sikua.
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/12735-sikua-disclosures-still-to-be-done
Parliament passes motion to create a formula for distributing development funds. Parliament has passed a motion to consider introducing a formula that reflects fair allocation of the Constituency Development Funds to each of the constituencies in Solomon Islands.
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/12745-parliament-passes-the-motion-to-create-a-formula-for-distributing-of-cdf

NAURU:
Nauru looking for an Ombudsman.  The Government of Nauru is looking to appoint an Ombudsman to enforce the Leadership Code, which would involve investigating misconduct by leaders, complaints or matters referred to by parliament, and undertaking public education on the relevant legislation.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/328236/nauru-looking-for-an-ombudsman

Thank you to the team at UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project for sharing these updates.  For more information, 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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