Source: EMTV online

There was a cake, muffins, balloons and a birthday song. But, the occasion was far from a joyous one. This is an effort by Act NOW PNG to bring back attention to an issue that seems to have been forgotten.

Effrey Dademo, the Program Manager says K780 million was found to have been stolen through corrupt means as reported in the 2009 Finance Inquiry Report. However, little effort seems to be made to prosecute those named in the report.

“We urge the government take action now,” Ms Dademo says.

Since the tabling of this report in parliament, former Ombudsman Nemo Yalo says little has been done.

“We cannot make halfhearted efforts or take no action at all in these matters,” he said. He says prosecuting those named in the report would not only bring them to justice but it will act as a detterant to others and recoup the much needed public funds. 

Act NOW has calculated that, that money could easily pay for thousands of new classrooms and health supplies throughout the country.

The finance inquiry is one of many inquires that have been done with little action taken to rectify the situation.

Lawrence Stephens, Chairman of Transparency International said, ” The government needs to honor its commitment to eradicate corruption in the country and bring back integrity to our public offices.”

Ms Dademo says the government needs to take a decisive action to show that they are committed to fighting corruption in the country.

“If the government wants to make a decisive action now to show their commitment to fighting corruption in the country, they should reinstate Sam Koim and his team,” Ms Dademo says referring to the disbanded Task Force investigation team.

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