Photo credit: PNG PM Media Unit
The formation of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is advancing, with the ICAC Appointments Committee convening for the second time this year in Port Moresby.
Hon. Prime Minister David Cameron James Marape emphasized the urgent necessity for the government to combat the "disease of corruption" in the country, urging the Committee to move the process forward as soon as possible before Parliament reconvenes for the National General Elections this year.
The meeting, which was hosted by the Department of Justice and Attorney General (DJAG) at its WNB Haus office and chaired by the Prime Minister, discussed the Commission's composition, check and balance and administrative mechanisms, reporting structure, and other administrative and legal requirements, including recruitment for its composition.
The Undisclosed Wealth Act and the Whistle Blowers Act are two pieces of supporting legislation that will help the Commission operationalize its work once it is up and running, according to Prime Minister Marape.
The Committee has agreed to a fairly severe process, the specifics of which will be published when the Commission is ready to begin.
These efforts by DJAG come on the heels of a record number of bills sponsored by the department and enacted by Parliament last and this year, helping to improve PNG's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by Transparency International, according to a recent study.
PNG has declined from 142nd rank out of 180 nations to 126th place in the 2021 Corruption Perception Index, according to ICAC Interim Chairman Thomas Eluh.
"This is a massive drop in one year, highlighting the positive and strong efforts of the Marape Government in tackling rampant corruption in the country, " said Eluh.
"The full operationalisation of ICAC will further improve PNG’s grading on the CPI."
Prime Minister Marape urged the Appointment Committee, the ICAC team, the DJAG, and other integrity organizations to work towards lowering PNG's CPI ranking to double digits, noting that the CPI rating for 2021 is highly positive for the Government and the country.
He also asked DJAG to use the three years leading up to the country's 50th birthday in 2025 to enhance legislative and administrative systems in time for the Golden Jubilee festivities.
Chief Justice Gibbs Salika, ICAC Interim Chairman Thomas Eluh, Attorney-General Dr Eric Kwa, and other senior officials of DJAG attended the meeting.
Reference: Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council (27 January 2022). “Work Progressing On The Establishment Of Independent Commission Against Corruption
