ICAC

He said the jump in PNG’s score from 27 to 31 demonstrates that the reforms implemented by the Government are working.

PNG is now ranked 124 out of 180 countries in the world, 100 being the very clean and zero highly corrupt. In 2020, the country was sitting at 142 out of 180 corrupt countries in the world.

“PNG hit the lowest scores between 2011 and 2015, when the O’Neill Government took out country backwards and ran roughshod over our ethics and human rights.

He said the NAC is unaware of any investigation conducted by ICAC and no formal notification was given to attend premises to conduct their investigation.

Mr Kiponge is calling on ICAC interim chairman, Thomas Eluh to clarify the terms and conditions used to investigate the incident involving two security firms at the Jacksons Domestic terminal on March 22, 2021.

He claimed that Mr Eluh and the ICAC team has not visited NAC and was surprised on the reports ICAC had released.

Chairman of ICAC Thomas Eluh made this assurance in a press conference in Port Moresby on Thursday.

Taking into account the challenges the country is going through, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the National General Elections in 2022, ICAC interim chairman, Thomas Eluh, is confident that the ICAC office will be fully operational by the end of 2022.

Interim chairman of ICAC, Thomas Eluh said they will be vigorously driving particularly in Education.

“We would like to target the younger generation in schools. To educate them about the evils of corruption with the hope of winning their hearts and minds at an early age so they can become better citizens and advocators.

In voicing his support, he has made the point that independence and transparency must be the cornerstone of the legislation and implementation moving forward.

“The ICAC legislation has been in development for several years, having first been proposed by PNC in 1997,” Mr. O’Neill said.

“Despite many bureaucratic delays, it now is at a point whereby Parliament can debate and then vote clear legislation into law.

“But there must not be compromise on the basic tenants of independence of the ICAC that is above reproach.