Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (26 Jan 2019): Micronesia, Samoa, PNG, Fiji, Solomon Islands

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FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA:

Businessman charged with bribing Hawaii, FSM officials. A Hawaii businessman has been charged with dishing out bribes of nearly half a million dollars to officials in Hawaii and the Federated States of Micronesia.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/380539/businessman-charged-with-bribing-hawaii-fsm-officials

Public Auditor hosts talent show for International Anti-Corruption Day.The Pohnpei Office of the State Public Auditor (POPA) united with the Youth-4-Change to commemorate the International Anti-Corruption Day at the Kolonia/China Friendship Gymnasium

http://www.kpress.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1194:public-auditor-hosts-talent-show-for-international-anti-corruption-day&catid=8&Itemid=103

 

SAMOA:

“What corruption?” Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi yesterday rejected allegations of corruption within the Government and the public service.

http://www.sobserver.ws/en/24_01_2019/local/40435/%E2%80%9CWhat-corruption%E2%80%9D.htm

Samoa MP Pa'u Sefo Pa'u dies.  He had been an MP twice before, but his terms were cut short by corruption charges.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/380520/samoa-mp-pa-u-sefo-pa-u-dies

 

PNG:

In PNG, a fallen bridge is testament to the chasm in rural development.  On the southern bank of the Banab, local travelers waiting for the next transport to Madang town cite corruption throughout all levels of government as the main reason for the delays, a familiar narrative echoed in many of PNG’s rural areas.

https://news.mongabay.com/2019/01/in-png-a-fallen-bridge-is-testament-to-the-chasm-in-rural-development/

Labi to face court after fraud charges. Former Moresby North-East MP Labi Amaiu has been committed to appear in the National Court in Waigani on fraud related charges involving the Duran Farm Housing project in Port Moresby.

https://postcourier.com.pg/labi-face-court-fraud-charges/

 

FIJI:

Proposed Law ‘Keeps Our Leaders Accountable’.  Suva lawyer Richard Naidu says a code of conduct should be a good thing because it should keep our leaders accountable.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2019/01/20/proposed-law-keeps-our-leaders-accountable/

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Solomon Islands province bans logging in bid to protect environment.  Central Island province in the Solomon Islands has blocked new logging and mining operations in an apparent attempt to halt the degradation of the archipelago’s sensitive ecosystems.

https://news.mongabay.com/2019/01/solomon-islands-province-bans-logging-in-bid-to-protect-environment/

 

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

Annika Wythes, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, annika.wythes@un.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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