The Solomon Islands Government is aggressively pursuing the implementation of its Anti-corruption development priority.
A statement from the Government Communication Unit said whilst the Government is taking steps to correct the Anti-Corruption Bill, based on the comments of the Bills and Legislative Committee of Parliament, it has already commenced work on the formulation of the country’s first ever National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
The statement said during this week, the Steering Committee to oversee the formulation and implementation of the National Strategy will meet for the first time. This will be followed by a National Workshop on the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
The statement said the Steering Committee comprises of two members from the private sector, nominated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industries; two members from civil society organisations, nominated by the Development Services Exchange; one member from Transparency Solomon Islands and two members representing the Government.
It is understood that this is the first time the Government is forming a strong coalition with the private sector and civil society organisation to address a development challenge.
“Also, the fact that the Government is entering into a coalition with the business community and civil society organisations speak volume of the seriousness of the problem of corruption affecting Solomon Islands”, said the Chief Technical Adviser in the Office of the Prime Minister,” Mr. Mose Saitala.
The Prime Minister will officially open the National Workshop this Thursday and he is expected to be delivering a major speech laying out the roadmap to implement the DCC Government priority agenda on fundamental reforms, including the status of the Anti-Corruption Bill that was submitted to Parliament earlier this year for enactment.
The National Workshop is being supported by the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crimes; the Secretariat for the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).
– GCU
