How many more launches? We must do something about corruption, says Liloqula

Transparency Solomon Islands welcomes today’s launch of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) but underscores the importance that “we must do something about corruption.”

Speaking exclusive to SBMOnline after the launch of the NACS in Honiara this morning, CEO of TSI Ruth Liloqula said:
“How many more launches are we going to do? We have to do something about corruption.”

She adds this is because every indicator from democracy to good governance show “we are at the bottom.”

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele in launching the strategy states that the NACS represents “our collective aspirations and commitment to address corruption and strengthen good governance across all sectors.”

The NACS is a detailed and compete strategy document that will guide and coordinate the approach of the government to identify focus priority areas of policy and legislation reform to address corruption in the country for the next four years.

Liloqula, meanwhile, said the NACs is a working document for all stakeholders.

“What we have seen is a lot of money is coming in to do this, but I think Solomon Islanders need to take the lead. A reminder to our development partners who are interested in helping us out, they need to be doing it with us than doing it for us. They need to be talking to us and doing things we think will work for our country,” said Liloqula.

Asked if the strategy will be successful, Liloqula said if it is resourced then it would help.

“At the same time, it depends on leadership, how committed they are and how willing they are to work with everybody especially the media,” she said.

Liloqula highlighted that the media is a critical partner especially in disseminating of information.

“The media is the most effective and reaches out to young people and everyone else,” she said.

Speaking about the role of TSI, Liloqula said: “We compliment what they are doing, active in prevention and education as well as exposing and critiquing what is going on this space.”

However, she adds, the power rests with the institutions of integrity, who have the legal power to do something.

“At the end, the sustainability in the fight against corruption rests with the institutions of integrity,” she said.

Editor’s note: Some of the Institutions of integrity include: Leadership Code Commission, Ombudsman Office, Auditor General, Police.