PNG Highly Corrupt four years in a row

Caption:  TI PNG Chairman Lawrence Stephens

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, January 31, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

 

PAPUA New Guinea has come out well below yet another following the announcement of Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2015.

PNG was placed 139th out 168 countries assessed globally compared to 2014’s 145th placing out of 175 countries.

Presenting the CPI report, TI PNG Board Chairman Lawrence Stephens, pointed out that county’s consistency in the red zone of highly corrupt in four consecutive years as something that was not to celebrate about, but was something to be seriously addressed holistically.

With the score rating from 1 (worst corruption) to 100 (least corrupt) the country has maintain a score rating of 25 since 2012.

“Across the world people are now finding out what their corruption index ratings are.The issue at hand is a problem that spreads across the globe.”

“Every year when we talk about corruption as it is perceived to exist here, we get criticized that we are trying to run the country down.”

“The reality is that corruption is faced by every country- the difference is in those countries it is how you address it.”

Stephens pointed out that the CPI is a global index of 168 countries that is an aggregate index, where there are 12 different data sources finding information on individual countries and through those data sources information is put together for an overall ranking that capture perceptions.

“We are talking here about the corruption of the public sector and public officials though we are not limiting our discussions to simply public institutions but we are talking about also talking about the organisations that encourage them to become corrupt.”

“That includes general public and that includes big business,” he added.

As of 2015, Denmark is ranked 1st with a ranking score of 91, with Somalia 168th with score of 8.

“Papua New Guinea ranks 139th for a score of 25 out of 100- we have had 25 for four years. This is the fourth time we have had 25.”

“The good things about the index is that for some countries you have seen an improvement in those last few years, unfortunately we have hung tight to our position and I think many of us can understand is when we think of the scandals that are read around the world.”

“It is hardly a time to celebrate, we are in fact very sad that we have this result, that we understand that result, and that we know as a nation we have complete power to turn it around. It takes everybody knowing that it can happen if we insist that it happens.”

Stephens added that more needs to be done to strengthen and resource current integrity institutions to enforce best practice and regulations.

“This is essential in reducing corruption and promoting good governance.”

“Proactive steps are needed in implementing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, including by pursuing legislation to allow public access to information and whistle-blower legislation as a matter of priority.”