Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (6 July 2019): Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, PNG, Fiji

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A South Pacific Drug Highway is Causing Big Problems for Island Communities.  Superintendent Brett Kidner, senior liaison officer for the Australian federal police pointed to some of the larger Pacific nations that have, in recent years, become plagued by drug abuse and related social issues—addiction, crime, gang violence, police corruption—as more narcotics have poured into the communities.

https://www.vice.com/en_in/article/3k3wjv/south-pacific-drug-cocaine-methamphetamine-trafficking-smuggling-highway-causing-big-problems-island-communities-fiji-tonga-vanuatu-new-caledonia

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

How do women feel the effects of corruption? (Blog).  "The conversations show that people are aware of the costs and impacts of corruption — from unfair access to healthcare and education to misuse of public monies. But what are Solomon Islanders saying when they discuss corruption? Turns out, it depends on where they are."  

http://www.pacific.undp.org/content/pacific/en/home/blog/2019/how-do-women-feel-the-effects-of-corruption.html

Anti Corruption commissioners sought in Solomons.  Nominations for anti-corruption commissioners will soon be sought in Solomon Islands, the Prime Minister's Office says.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/393173/anti-corruption-commissioners-sought-in-solomons

 

VANUATU:

Jailed Vanuatu MP pardoned. Vanuatu's president has pardoned the former MP, Paul Telukluk who was jailed in 2015 for bribery and corruption.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/393715/jailed-vanuatu-mp-pardoned

 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

Concerns over corruption.  The National Procurement Commission which replaces the previous Central Supply and Tenders Board will improve efficiency and transparency in the public procurement system, which over the years has lost millions through corruption.

https://www.thenational.com.pg/concerns-over-corruption/

'I'll resign if found guilty', pledges PM Marape over UBS loan saga.  Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says he will resign from office if found guilty of improper conduct in securing the controversial K4 billion (NZ$1.8 billion) UBS – Union Bank of Switzerland – loan five years ago.

https://asiapacificreport.nz/2019/07/04/ill-resign-if-found-guilty-pledges-pm-marape-over-ubs-loan-saga/

Corruption Practices: PNG MPs double-dipping.  Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has been asked to crack down on "double-dipping".

https://www.onepng.com/2019/06/corruption-practices-png-mps-double.html

Will Papua New Guinea's New Leader Make Good on His Reform Promises? When Peter O'Neill resigned in late May after eight years as prime minister of Papua New Guinea, he left behind a troubled legacy of corruption allegations and economic mismanagement.

https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/trend-lines/27948/will-papua-new-guinea-s-new-leader-make-good-on-his-reform-promises

Part of the solution or part of the problem? Private security in PNG.  The new Prime Minister, James Marape, has appointed member for Madang Open Bryan Kramer, as the country's police minister. Soon after his appointment Kramer promised to reform the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC), outlining a range of measures, including providing more opportunities for women, addressing corruption and improving discipline.

https://www.devpolicy.org/part-of-the-solution-or-part-of-the-problem-private-security-in-png-20190704/

 

FIJI:

Trial dates of Fiji Corrections Service employees vacated.  The trial dates of two employees of Fiji Corrections Service charged with abuse of office has been vacated to October.

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/court/trial-dates-of-fiji-corrections-service-employees-vacated/

Two former employees of PWD receive additional sentences.  The former employees of the Public Works Department have been handed an additional three-year sentence for defrauding the government.

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/court/two-former-employees-of-pwd-receive-additional-sentences/

A former Revenue Collector for Ministry of Justice appears in Savusavu Magistrates Court on corruption‑related charges. A former Revenue Collector for the Ministry of Justice appeared in the Savusavu Magistrates Court on corruption‑related charges.

http://fijivillage.com/news/A-former-Revenue-Collector-for-Ministry-of-Justice-appears-in-Savusavu-Magistrates-Court-on-corruptionrelated-charges-2k95rs/

 

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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