Lawrence Stephens

That’s according to the Transparency International Global, Corruption Perception Index 2017, which was released today.

According to the Corruption Perception Index, Papua New Guinea ranks 135 among 180 countries with a score of 29 out of 100.

The CPI scores countries on a scale of zero to 100, with 100 being perceived to be very clean and zero perceived to be highly corrupt.

Papua New Guinea again scored below the global average score of 43.

Effectively this places PNG in the high quartile top 25 percent of corrupt nations.

Transparency International PNG’s (TIPNG) statement follows the unsuccessful attempt by police to take Koloma in for questioning last Friday.

In a statement, TIPNG says it is appalling that the Minister for Lands and Physical Planning has needed to report files, important to an Administrative Inquiry launched by the Prime Minister, to be missing.

“It is simply not acceptable that Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and Minister Tkatchenko are prevented from delivering on promises they have made to the nation and shamed by public servants who fail to secure documents essential to delivering of these promises,” says the anti-rot organisation.  

This was announced by Lawrence Stephens, general manager - corporate affairs and governance, Melanesian Trustee Services Limited.

He challenged the newly appointed face of the fund, Renee Jasmine Siaguru, to find these missing members using the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) PNG platform.

Siaguru was the first contestant to join the annual pageant and is sponsored by Pacific Balance Fund/ Melanesian Trustee Services Limited.

“This is a substantial amount of public funds being invested into a private commercial venture that may not bring the anticipated returns for the people of PNG,” the organisation says in a statement.

TIPNG strongly believes that this investment venture is not in the best financial interests of the people of Papua New Guinea. 

Chairman of TIPNG, Lawrence Stephens, says TIPNG welcomes efforts to uncover facts and investigate alleged wrong doing.

“It is in the interest of the people of Papua New Guinea and particularly the people of Manumanu that the investigations be carried out immediately and those that are found to have acted fraudulently to be charged and face the courts.”

TIPNG, however, remains appalled by the long list of multiple COIs that have not yet been acted on and individuals named continue to enjoy impunity.  

“It is welcoming to see stringent requirements are now in place to document, validate, verify and authenticate Government cheques by way of Purchase Orders, Authority to Pre-commit Expenditure (APC) or an Integrated Local Purchase Order and Claim (ILPOC), to assure accountability of Government spending,” the organisation said in a statement.   

“This is an important step to strengthen the existing procurement process and limit the abuse of the proper procurement process.”

Transparency International PNG says: “The nine staff reportedly spoke out about issues of maladministration, mismanagement and misappropriation within their department. 

“It is concerning to read about any threat, suspension or sacking of people who draw attention to illegality, whether it be real or alleged.  

“Witness accounts are powerful tools in exposing corruption, fraud and mismanagement. Raising the alert of authorities when corruption occurs, is an obligation for all public servants.”

Stephens said this at the announcement of PNG’s ranking from the 2016 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

The ranking put PNG at 136/176 136/176 countries and territories with a score of 28/100.

“Most recently, the government passed laws to fight money laundering and terrorist financing activities.

“This removed PNG from the Financial Action Task Force grey list.

Stephens made this statement yesterday after the 2016 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranked PNG at a 136/176 countries and territories with a score of 28/100.

“More needs to be done in strengthening and supporting integrity institutions that enforce best practices and regulations with a view to reducing corruption and promoting good governance.

“Equally important is that citizens need to demand accountability from public officials and speak up and report corrupt dealings with the public and private sector.