LocationsUNDP, SIICAC and Anticorruption Secretariat complete a one-week community outreach program
December 13, 2022
People of Tulagi marching with RSIPF, SIICAC and other oversight & integrity institutions to mark International Anticorruption Day.
Central, Solomon Islands – The UN Development Programme, Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) and the Anticorruption Secretariat complete a one-week community outreach programme in Central province.
As part of the International Anticorruption Week, the programme reached out to 10 communities to raise awareness of corruption issues as well as the Whistleblowers Act 2018 and Anti-Corruption Act 2018.
Guided by this years’ theme "Uniting the world against corruption”, the team hosted a series of activities in Tulagi, Central Province, that started off with a march by various groups including RSIPF, Women's church groups, school students, youths and children.
Addressing the people of Tulagi, SIICAC Director General, Mr John Kouni said that corruption is “everybody’s business as it affects us all.”
“We must all unite in the fight against corruption. It is a fight we owe to our country and our future generations. It is a long way to go but the fight against corruption must begin now with us.”
Mr Kouni also noted that “Thanks to such programs and our cooperation, we will be able to reduce the risks of mismanagement and corruption. Hence, we will introduce more open and transparent public procurement, and increased compliance with anti-corruption requirements by the government, private sector and civil society.”
Kouni has thanked the Central Islands Provincial Government and its people, various integrity institutions such as Leadership Code Commission, Ombudsman Office, Office of the Auditor General, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and RSIPF, SIG and UNDP for “partnering and supporting SIICAC in its annual outreach missions to spread the word and build this bridge of trust with communities across the country.”
The Central Islands Provincial Government has pledged support to the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC), in its mandatory responsibility to fight against corruption in our society.
School students joined the Anticorruption march in Tulagi during the International Anticorruption Day celebration.
Speaking at the ceremony in Tulagi community during the Anticorruption Day, Hon. Polycarp Galaigu, Premier for Central Province, said that Central Provincial is “prepared to support SIICAC in its implementation of the Anti-Corruption Act.”
Hon. Premier Galaigu also highlighted that corruption “remains a challenge that not one segment of society can solve alone. We, therefore, have to do it together. Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something together.”
“The Anti-Corruption Act 2018 fosters a culture of transparency and accountability in the administrative procedures and structures we have in both the provincial and national governments,” Hon. Premier Galaigu concluded.
After the march, a panel discussion at the Tulagi main market was held focusing on the roles and functions of SIICAC in the areas of corruption investigation and prosecutions, reporting of complaints, protections under the Whistle Blowers protection Act. Moreover, the attendees had a chance to learn more about collaboration between integrity institutions such as the Leadership Code Commission (LCC), Office of the Ombudsman of Solomon Islands (OOSI), Office of Auditor General (OAG), and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP), and the RSIPF in the fight against corruption.
With the 2030 Agenda as a guiding thread, UNDP aims to reduce corruption and develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels to ensure effective and timely achievement of national development outcomes.
The one-week community outreach programme is part of a series of events happening during the International Anticorruption Week and is organized by three UNDP projects - Transparency and Accountability for the People of Solomon Islands – The Project for Strengthening the Capacities to Combat Corruption (TAPSCCC), the Strengthening Anticorruption, Transparency and Accountability in Pacific Island Countries (“Pacific Anti-Corruption Project”, Fiji) project and UN Regional Anti-Corruption Project (UN-PRAC) implemented by UNDP Offices in Solomon Islands and Fiji with financial support from Governments of Japan, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
School students joined the Anticorruption march in Tulagi during the International Anticorruption Day celebration.
For more information or media inquiries please contact:
Anastasiia Tiurmenko, Communications Specialist, UNDP Solomon Islands Office, anastasiia.tiurmenko@undp.org, +677 27 446 / +677 747 21 29
