Solomon Islands: A fully functioning Independent Commission Against Corruption is seen as a pre-requisite to development investment.
The Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare speaking during the launching of the Taro Cable Station on Monday, said the DCGA government is pursuing exciting developments in the sectors of agriculture, tourism, fisheries, forestry, mining, infrastructure and trade.
He said these major projects once implemented would complement the economic and social benefits of the undersea cable.
The Prime Minister’s announcement will be encouraging to those wishing to participate and invest in the development sectors he outlined.
At almost the same time, however, Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) Executive Officer, Ruth Liloqula, OBE, in a hard hitting speech at the Data Journalism (Against Corruption) workshop in Honiara was encouraging journalist to investigate the stories behind corruption.
Ms. Liloqula, known for speaking out on allegations of corruption in the Solomon Islands, made some serious statements about the spate of alleged corruption in the country and ended her address by saying the Solomon Islands had been ranked 77 out of 180 countries in the recent Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2019 report released by Transparency International (TI), an international non-governmental organization based in Berlin.
If the Solomon Islands is to gain benefit from the developments the Prime Minister outlined on Monday, then Ms. Liloqula’s comments should add further incentive for the Government to quickly establish the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, a body to which Ms. Liloqula has been selected as one of the principal officers, and set about weeding out corrupt officials, corrupt dealings and all forms of corrupt practices.
To do less, could see private investor confidence in the country lacking at the time of the much needed developments and infrastructure changes heralded by Prime Minister Sogavare.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
