Citizens reminded of their right to demand better govt services

CITIZENS have the right to demand Government to do better, says United Nations resident coordinator Richard Stephen Howard Jr.
Howard told the first national Community Coalition Against Corruption meeting in Lae on Monday that combating corruption was a mutual response which required government to lead.
“Public services throughout the world are set up to serve citizens and it is citizens’ right to demand better services,” he said.
“But this is also supported with better monitoring by citizen based groups and community organisations in providing the information back to the leaders, government, civil services at regular basis.
“Citizens also have the right to disclose cases of bribery.
“There are many cases where people feel disempowered to report bribery or extortion.
“It’s the power of people when they come together with civil society organisations to start to report those cases.”
Howard said speaking out against corruption started with raising awareness of the public that corruption existed, it was not normal and must change.