Reinforce current anti-corruption agencies

 THE Peter O’Neill government has made the fight against corruption its number one priority.

They are in the process of setting up an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) which is another feather in the already cramped and dysfunctional anti-corruption hierarchy in Papua New Guinea. 

Even though this looks encouraging, I believe that an important component is missing from the arsenal and that is a “whistle blowing law”. 

Corruption is happening in the public and private sector s in broad daylight. 

However, most employees are reluctant to speak out or do anything against this as they fear the repercussions they will face especially in terms of their job security. 

A “whistle blowing law” will encourage people to come out and reveal corruption in the work place as they will be protected from any recrimination against them such as sackings and demotions. 

However, this law or any authority for that matter is useless without a strong and vibrant enforcement mechanism. 

As such, I call on the government to increase funding and man power to the main anti-corruption agencies such as the Ombudsman Commission, Fraud Squad, National Anti-Corruption Alliance, Financial Intelligence Unit, Task Force Sweep team and so on. 

It is only through this support will we know that the government is serious about fighting corruption.

De Lion

Via email