Isabel Province is taking the lead in supporting the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) in the anti-corruption campaign in the province.
This followed the invitation by the Isabel Provincial Government (IPG) for the Solomon Islands Independent Commission against Corruption, SIICAC, to conduct anti-corruption awareness in Isabel Province.
Speaking during a week-long awareness program conducted by SIICAC in Kia village last week, the Member of the Provincial Assembly for Kia Ward and Minister of Finance Sam Watson said the awareness program is part of IPG’s preparations to host the International Anti-Corruption Day in Buala on December 9 this year.
Mr.Watson said the IPG plans to host the International Anti-Corruption Day following the Premier’s request to the National Government during the Second Appointed Day Celebrations in June this year.
Mr. Watson said the IPG is very much supportive to the National Government to establish SIICAC in the Provincial Capital Buala for the rural people to benefit from the services provided.
He said this is part of IPG’s strive to improve and integrate Good Governance in the established Tripod system in Isabel Province.
Mr.Watson said the Isabel Provincial Government is striving to maintain Accountability and Compliance following its Clean Audit Report under the Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme (PGSP), for three consecutive periods from in 2014/15, 2015/16, and 2016/17.
He said the IPG is working closely with the National Government by extending its full support to SIICAC in the anti-corruption campaign in the Province.
IPG has supported the recent anti-corruption awareness program through the provision of Provincial staff and logistics.
Kia Community members representing the Tripod System in Isabel Province attended the anti-corruption awareness program.
The Eta Council of Chiefs and Kia Community Representative Chief Douglas Boi Rove thanked the team saying the awareness program was very informative as it was the first time for some of the community members to learn and know about SIICAC and its role.
Boi Rove assured the team that people in Kia village are happy to work with the commission and join in the anti-corruption campaign in our societies.
SIICAC Director-General John Kouni thanked the Kia Community, Isabel Provincial Government, Solomon Islands Government, and UNDP for the cooperation and support rendered towards the work of the Commission.
The awareness program was facilitated by SIICAC and supported by the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, OPMC, IPG, and UNDP.
The Anti-Corruption campaign is a top priority of the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) under its redirection policy to support and fully establish SIICAC to effectively carry out its mandated role.
In separate news relating to the broad allegations of corruption, the Vice Chairman of Transparency Solomon Islands, Rodney Kingmele, a lawyer by profession, stated corruption remains a big problem in government and business sectors. He made his remarks during the launch of the Global Corruption Barometer 2021 Pacific in Honiara this week.
Mr.Kingmele made the following serious allegations, based on what he said was a snapshot of the views of 6000 people across 10 countries and territories in the Pacific, and I quote.
For Solomon Islands based on people who have used relevant public service in the last two months:
1. 60 percent think that companies frequently use money or connection to secure government contracts
2. 33 percent have experienced sextortion or know someone who has used sex to access public service
3. 25 percent were offered bribes in exchange for a vote
4. 21 percent paid bribes for public service
He said only 18 percent of respondents thought that officials who engaged in corruption frequently faced consequences.
“Unfortunately, this is a reflection of the lack of faith and trust that our people currently have in our laws and integrity institutions to be able to adequately deal with corruption,” Mr.Kingmele said.
In addition, he said 97 percent of those interviewed said that corruption exists within the government, whilst 90 percent stated that corruption was also present in the business sector.
Mr. Kingmele said in terms of bribery and personal connections, overall, 21 percent of the respondents say that they have in the past witnessed bribery whilst 36 percent stated that they had witnessed the use of personal connections to access public service.
He said it is also a matter of concern that 17 percent said that they have come across bribery involving the police whilst a further 30 percent stated that they had come across the use of personal connections in dealing with the police.
In addition, Mr. Kingmele said 13 percent stated that bribes had been involved in receiving government documents whilst 27 percent stated that personal connections had been involved to obtain such documents.
End of quotes.
Comment
The Anti-Corruption campaign is a top priority of the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) under its redirection policy to support and fully establish SIICAC to effectively carry out its mandated role.
Given the reported facts as stated by Mr. Kingmele, it is important that the SIIAC begins its important mandate and gets down to work in rooting out corruption and corrupt practices alleged to be concerns of the people.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
