Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (3 Feb 2018): Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga

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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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FIJI:

Customs recognition.  "Customs can contribute to the increased security of the business environment by focusing on activities that promote an enabling, safe, and fair and sustainable environment including by streamlining procedures, tackling corruption, enhancing integrity, and facilitating the movement of people, goods and craft."

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=432771

High Court Grants FICAC Time.  The Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption (FICAC) was given until 29 January 2018 to respond to a strike out application filed by counsel for former Fiji National University Vice-Chancellor Ganesh Chand, who is charged with one count of abuse of office.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/01/23/high-court-grants-ficac-time/

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

Transparency International PNG Celebrates 21 Years.  The Papua New Guinea Chapter of Transparency International began its operations on 29 January 1997.

http://www.emtv.com.pg/transparency-international-png-celebrates-21-years/

World Report 2018 - Papua New Guinea: Events of 2017.  "Individuals in positions of power and government agencies lack accountability and transparency."

https://reliefweb.int/report/papua-new-guinea/world-report-2018-papua-new-guinea-events-2017

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Secret Funds Exposed.  An investigation by Island Sun alleges that Taiwan has been providing up to $17 million a year since 2015 to keep the government intact.

http://theislandsun.com.sb/secret-funds-exposed/

Taiwan accused of bankrolling Solomons slush fund.  Taiwan has been named in a local media report about a multi-million dollar slush fund for Solomon Islands' prime ministers.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/349312/taiwan-accused-of-bankrolling-solomons-slush-fund

SAMOA:

Government moves to stop election corruption.  In tabling the Constitutional amendment, Prime Minister Tuilaepa called on the House Members to weigh reforms because it reflects the government's genuine drive to weed out corruption from electoral processes.

http://sobserver.ws/en/31_01_2018/local/29417/Govt-moves-to-stop-election-corruption.htm

Constitution Amendment Bill 2018 tabled. According to a statement issued by the Government's Press Secretary, the reforms are part of the wholesale approach by Government to completely overhaul the local electoral processes to eliminate corruption and illegal practices.

http://sobserver.ws/en/01_02_2018/local/29465/Constitution-Amendment-Bill-2018-tabled.htm

Passport accused pleads not guilty.  Former Immigration Officer, David Nomereta Uaine, pleaded not guilty in the Supreme Court to 32 charges including forgery, corruption, bribery, improper issue of Samoan travel documents, unlawful recording of information from passport database, as well as  false representation. 

http://sobserver.ws/en/30_01_2018/local/29386/Passport-accused-pleads-not-guilty.htm

TONGA:

People ready to build nation, but corruption has made government dysfunctional, says PM.  Some senior government officials have abused foreign-funded projects, Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva told Kaniva News.

http://kanivatonga.nz/2018/01/people-ready-build-nation-corruption-made-government-dysfunctional-says-pm/

Hotel pay supervisor stole "ghost employees" payroll.  A former administration officer for the Tanoa Hotel, Selemana Fonua was found guilty of false accounting and theft of $21,299 pa'anga by the Tonga Supreme Court.

http://matangitonga.to/2018/01/29/hotel-pay-supervisor-stole-ghost-employees-payroll

To know more about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project please contact the team members:

Maria Adomeit, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, maria.adomeit@unodc.org

Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org

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

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