Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (5 October 2019): PNG, Solomon Islands, Fiji

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PNG:

Our Right to Know, Their Duty to Tell (Report/Resource).  Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) report on the current status of Access to Public Information, covering 24 State Agencies in PNG and recommends both Policy Reforms and Legislation to address the lack of a RTI framework in the country. A stark finding was that over 90% of State agencies surveyed were unable to give public documents when requested over the counter, yet these same documents were already available online for 54% of the agencies.

https://www.transparencypng.org.pg/our-right-to-know-their-duty-to-tell/

Distrust growing within gov agencies – TIPNG.  The TIPNG Right to Information report outlined, among other things, how the lack of defined policy mechanisms in a majority of government agencies tested has bred a culture of secrecy among them.

https://postcourier.com.pg/distrust-growing-within-govt-agencies-tipng/

Thank you to Mr. Yuambari Haihuie, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Transparency International PNG for sharing the links above.

 

Businessman Lauds PM’s speech on promoting PNG’s natural resources. The Prime Minister James Marape’s UN speech delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Soroi Eoe at the 74th UN General Assembly is a mission statement.

https://postcourier.com.pg/businessman-lauds-pms-speech-on-promoting-pngs-natural-resources/

PNG minister determined for police reforms. Mr Kramer told Johnny Blades that he aims to reverse the ill-discipline, corruption and politicisation of the force that has built up over the years.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/2018715573/png-minister-determined-for-police-reforms  

PNG Businessman arrested and charged for misusing public funds. Papua New Guinea  National Fraud & Anti-Corruption Directorate arrested and charged Managing Director for Rural Links Limited Mr. Kevin Atkinson Guba aged 48 of Ewore village, Sohe District, Oro Province.

https://news.pngfacts.com/2019/10/png-businessman-arrested-and-charged.html

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Fujiyama told to step down. “He has been involving in corruption and fraudulent activities in our NOCSI and national federation’s level,” they claimed in the letter.

https://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/sports/national/item/22037-fujiyama-told-to-step-down

 

FIJI:

Trio facing fraud-related charges against FNPF granted bail. Three men charged with multiple courts of fraud related offences against the Fiji National Provident Fund were granted bail by the Magistrates Court in Suva.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2019/10/01/trio-facing-fraud-related-charges-against-fnpf-granted-bail/

 

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

Marine Destrez, Anti-Corruption Specialist – Pacific a.i., UNDP, marine.destrez@undp.org 

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

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