PM reveals K6 million funding for corruption commission

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill says K6 million will be allocated to set up an interim Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) office.
He also described its acting chairman Thomas Eluh as a man of sound judgement who had a proven track record as a police officer.
“Thomas Eluh is a man of sound judgement, and has answered the call of national service as a highly effective assistant commissioner of police, and in managing challenges such as those we have faced in the Southern Highlands province,” O’Neill said.
He said Cabinet had approved the re-establishment of the organisation and directed the acting Secretary for the Department of Personnel Management, Taies Sansan, to facilitate Eluh’s appointment at the executive level four, the same level as a head of department.
It also directed the Treasury Secretary to allocate K6 million for the establishment of the office, to be obtained from savings made in the 2018 national budget.
“A truly functional and effective ICAC, that has real and independent authority, is essential for the good governance of our nation,” O’Neill said.
“We have seen in the past when attempts to establish such an authority, that protects the public interest, has been politicised and undermined.
“We now have a fresh start with the interim ICAC led by a respected officer of the constabulary.”
All files and assets of the Investigation Task Force Sweep will be transferred to the ICAC office.