The Democratic Coalition for Change Government’s Policy team today assured Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) that the establishment of an Independent Commission against Corruption is a matter of priority in the Sogavare-led regime’s policy document.
The assurance was made during a presentation by a TSI team on its position on the DCC Government’s proposed establishment of an ICAC and the features it considers essential for an ICAC to be effective.
TSI emphasised to the DCC Policy team the importance of the government clearly stating the designation and orientation of the proposed ICAC and ensuring that it be set up by an Act of Parliament so as to be financially and operationally independent of the political government.
It said the agency must have the duty, mandate, power and capacity to investigate and prosecute those involved in any transaction believed to involve corruption including those that occurred before its establishment.
TSI said whilst the agency should be legally protected against political and official interference, its actions and decisions should be subject to review by the High Court of Solomon Islands through properly instigated legal process.
TSI Executive Officer, Daniel Fenua expressed TSI’s willingness to assist the government in this cause as it wants to see improvement in government services.
In response Special Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr Rence Sore said the proposed ICAC establishment is a top policy priority of the DCC Government and expressed profound appreciation for TSI’s overwhelming support for this initiative.
Mr Sore said the government needs collaboration from all its stakeholders if it is to effectively address corruption and the support shown by TSI towards this proposed ICAC establishment is encouraging.
“We are encouraged by the strong support you show towards the ICAC establishment initiative. The Prime Minister is determined to address corruption and he is keen on establishing an interim corruption window from the Prime Minister’s Office. This corruption window is to receive complaints of corruption from anybody at all against politicians and government officers whilst necessary legislations for the ICAC establishment is worked on. This proposed ICAC establishment is a DCC policy priority and therefore urgency will be given to its establishment,” he said.
Gabriel Titili from the DCC Policy Team told that the TSI that the DCC Policy document as it stands now, an ICAC will be definitely established and wide consultations will be held before its formation.
“The instrumentation for the ICAC will come later as its establishment will require amendments to some of the country’s laws but certainly it will be established,” he said.
The TSI team included Tony Hughes, Bob Pollard, Daniel Fenua and Andrew Muaki.
– PM’s press secretariat
