LAST week the LCC has formally charged the Member of Parliament for West Guadalcanal, Moses Garu for official misconduct.
Chair of LCC, Francis Luza says the charge relates to an incident in December 2012 when Garu facilitated the appointment of his wife to be the Constituency Development Officer for West Guadalcanal.
Last Month LCC also charged the Former Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Small Malaita, Rick Hou and former Finance Permanent Secretary Shadrach Fanega.
The charges against Hou and Fanega relate to the ownership of MV Small Mala and the registration of Small Malaita Shipping Company as their own.
The charges have been laid after investigation by the LCC. The leaders will now have an opportunity to respond to the allegations and account for their actions.
TSI acknowledges the work undertaken by the LCC to reach this stage.
These cases highlight the fact that matters reported to LCC can take years before charges are laid and the issue is resolved.
People might hold the perception that investigating such cases is an easy task and can be quickly finalized.
This is obviously not the case and the public needs to understand this and be patient.
Behind each of these cases is one courageous citizen who is responsible for making the report to LCC.
Transparency Solomon Islands applauds these citizens for their stand against questionable dealings of leaders which threaten fair and just governance.
Reporting is very crucial in addressing accountability and good governance. When people report cases of misconduct to institutions such as LCC, we as citizens are exercising our democratic right to hold leaders accountable for their actions.
TSI encourages all citizens to exercise their rights and report misconduct of leaders if they witness it or suspect it.
The Leadership Code applies to all public officers. It lists certain acts or behavior by public officers as misconduct including:
* Engaging in other paid employment
* Using your office for personal benefit
* Placing yourself in a position of actual or potential conflict of interest
* Accepting or asking for bribes.
Often citizens know very well about questionable dealings of leaders and public officials but remain silent about it.
Remember silence is similar to participating in it or allowing leaders to continue with their questionable dealings unchecked.
But how can a citizen report a misconduct case to LCC?
If you have a Complaint against any leader or public official, you must write to the LCC stating the following:
* Leader’s or public official’s name
* Issue you want to have investigated
* Date it occurred
Also if you have complaint against any leader or public official but you are not sure if it is “misconduct” or you don’t know how to write it, TSI Advocacy Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) can help you.
ALAC provides free legal advice, can help you put your complaint together, refer it to LCC on your behalf and follow-up on it.
Come and see us at Room 226 Hyundai Mall in Honiara or call us on 20391 if you would like to discuss the issue of misconduct by leaders or public officials.
– TRANSPARENCY SOLOMON ISLANDS
