The Solomon Islands Independent Commision Against Corruption (SICAC) is a “Tiger that has no teeth to bite ”, former Governor General and Chairman of the body Sir Frank Kabui says.
Sir Kabui was speaking during the launch of the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2023 discussion panel in Honiara, Friday.
The chairman added the second issue is that the government has no funding support for the commission.
“I took up the matter to the Prime Minister’s office via written request,” Sir Frank says.
“ The killer response from the PMO is that ‘the government policy is to make an Anti-corruption Commission part-time’,” he added.
“At the moment, the commission is powerless so we remain silent, as the commission has been operating on a part-time basis for five years now.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of Transparency Solomon Islands, (TSI) Rodney Kingmele calls on the caretaker government or any upcoming government to bring about much needed reforms in the country’s justice system.
Kingimele said it’s a sad reality and the country needs to do more to address corruption issues.
Solomon Islands CPI for 2023 sits at 43 out of 100 in the CPI scale as recorded by the Transparency International.
Kingmrke said from 2018 to 2023, Solomon Islands doesn’t make any much difference in its CPI status, varying from 44 and 42, placing Solomon Islands to be among the worst corrupt nations globally.
“We call on the government or the upcoming government to bring about reforms to ensure the institutions of integrity and accountability are independent from the control of the executive government.
“And we also call on the government to strengthen the civil society to drive the reforms that tackle corruption.”
Kingmele added all citizens need to vote for candidates with policies that tackle corruption and benefit the society.
“Please, come forward and report corruption issues you might encounter so that we all can contribute in small yet meaningful ways to combat corruption.”
Kingmele reiterated that 43 is a failed score, putting it in the classroom analogy.
“Scores under 50 means the worst in the public sector.
“Ranking has stagnated since 2018.Nothing much has been done in the fight against corruption in Solomon Islands.
“It is essential and timely that the task is before the justice sector. It comes back to the government and citizens to strengthen the justice system.”
TSI Chief Executive Officer, Ruth Liloqula, echoed the sentiments that Solomon Islands still grapples with a highly corrupted public sector.
TSI CEO Ruth Liloqula during the CPI 2023 launch.
“Sitting at 43 on the CPI scale presents a significant challenge that requires collective efforts to overcome,” Liloqula added.
She emphasized that the issues faced such as road potholes, medicine shortages, and dilapidated schools and clinics in rural areas, directly result from a corrupted public sector.
“People might ask, what does it mean to sit at 43 on the CPI scale?
“Simple, look at the potholes along our road we are complaining about.
“Look at our medicine and drug shortages, look at the rundown schools and clinics in the rural areas.
“These are direct results of a highly corrupted public sector. Something is wrong somewhere!”
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I have every confidence in Ruth Liloqula, being a very astute lady.