By Mike Puia
Gizo
THE only female who is contesting the Gizo/Kolombangara seat vows to support the Anti-Corruption Bill (ACB) once she wins the seat.
Lanelle Orlandrea Tanangada uttered this during her final campaign in Gizo.
Among other things, Lanelle said she will support the passage of the ACB. A round of applause followed when she made this declaration.
Corruption in the country is common and has affected many essential services to rural people who continue to suffer the consequences of corruption.
At the beginning of 2017, this country rolled out its three-year National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS).
The NACS aims to reform existing anti-corruption legislation and policy and add new components to the country’s anti-corruption framework.
The strategy is geared toward addressing weaknesses in public administration, the judiciary, law enforcement, the private sector and civil society.
At the start of this year, many doubted the government’s commitment in pursuing this anti-corruption agenda.
This was after Manasseh Sogavare was removed as Prime Minister in a vote of no confidence.
Sogavare accused his detractors of attempting to derail the ACB, a key part of NACS.
The ACB aims to establish an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). The proposed ICAC would have the power to prevent, investigate and prosecute corruption offences.
According to Sogavare, some of the nine ministers who defected from his camp were those who had been hindering the progress of the ACB.
Lanelle said she is prepared to support the ACB to its passage.
