Anti-corruption gets major boost

By PHOEBE GWANGILO
ANTI-corruption efforts in the country received a major boost of €5.4 million euros (about K21.7 million) in funding from the European Union, to be injected over three years.
United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) country representative Dirk Wagener said during the launch of anti-corruption project in Port Moresby on Friday that corruption had hindered Papua New Guinea’s development.
“The European Union will provide €5.4 million euros to this project, in addition to the funding which will be directly to the government of Papua New Guinea to implement key components of the Government’s anti-corruption strategy and plan of action,” he said.
Wagener said the strategy recognised that combating corruption was a necessary precondition for national development and was fundamental to ensuring that people could benefit from the services and goods due them.
“It is, simply put, a precondition for achieving Papua New Guinea’s national development vision and aspirations.”
He said if not addressed, corruption would impact on PNG’s achievement of the sustainable development goals.
Wagener said the project had four outcomes designed to strengthen local capacities to tackle corruption effectively in which both Government and non-governmental organisations would participate.
“Outcome one is designed to support the implementation and monitoring of the national government’s strategy plan of action,” he said.
“Outcome two will focus on establishing a fully operational Independent Commission Against Corruption. Outcome three will focus on strengthening existing anti-corruption investigation and prosecution actors.
“The project will work with the Royal PNG Constabulary’s national and provincial anti-corruption and fraud units and the office of the Public Solicitor.” Wagener said outcome four recognised the role of the public and civil society had to play in preventing corruption.