Dear Editor – The much anticipated, Anti-Corruption Strategy which is currently being debated in Parliament, has taken so long to have it passed as a Bill.
The Anti- Corruption Strategy was seen by many as targeted towards Politicians, but in reality it was supposed to address corruption practices from all walks of life, from recipients of projects in the villages, teachers, nurses, public servants, those in the private sectors and leaders at all levels.
Whilst fingers were being pointed towards our very own politicians who were custodians of millions of dollars, the public opinion must not be one-sided.
The Anti- Corruption Strategy when passed as a Bill will be applied across the board.
The current House needs to be acknowledged for taking such initiative in putting Anti-Corruption Strategy through to Parliament.
Successive Governments and Parliaments in the past have overlooked this and continue to cultivate corruptions.
The Sogavare led government has gone through a lot of challenges to ensure that the Anti- Corruption Strategy is carefully studied and best integrated with other bills such as the Whistle Blowers Bill, the Ombudsman Bill, the revised Town and Country Planning Act and Land and Survey Act.
As a student, I will be proud and stand tall when DCC government proves all their critics wrong, if the Anti-Corruption Strategy is passed. I personally believe that a country like Solomon Islands which was ranked amongst the most corrupted countries of the world would slowly change the color of their tainted history.
In a country like ours, where proper legislations to address corruptions were lacking since independence, I would like to commend the Sogavare led government for taking all the bold moves to ensure that this Anti-Corruption Strategy is not only spoken words but black and white documents which will turn the new pages of Accountability and Transparency book.
God save our Solomon Islands from Corruptions and Mal-practices.
Altaj Teika
USP
Laucala Campus
Suva, Fiji
