The Solomon Islands Government says a statement issued by Transparency Solomon Islands about a bill to establish an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) being tabled in Parliament early next year is misleading.
A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet said that the current position, given the resources available, is to strengthen the existing accountability mechanisms instead of introducing a whole new regime which may be difficult to operate and resource.
The Solomon Islands has ratified the International Convention Against Corruption (ICAC) in 2012 and work is progressing to implement the obligations under the Convention.
A self-assessment of Solomon Islands performance on anti-corruption and good governance work is currently underway. Solomon Islands is also expected to review Vanuatu in September this year.
The Director of Governance within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is in charge of the Political Parties Integrity and Stability Project, accountability institutions as well as anti-corruption and good governance.
Recently, the Director, Mr Andrew Muaki left the office and the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet hopes to fill the position shortly to enable further progressed on these important issues.
Source: Press Release, Government Communications Unit