SIBConline news
19:48 hrs
27/03/2007

Battle against corruption remains an uphill challenge in the Pacific region, particularly in Solomon islands.Speaker of National Parliament, Sir Peter Kenilorea highlighted this sentiment when he officially opened the Transparency International Regional Conference in Honiara this morning.

Sir Peter told the conference that the full extend of corruption in the country is yet to be fully realized.He said in most cases, corruption cases have become embedded in our way of life.He said corruption is eating away at the fabric of life and something must be done urgently to address this growing threat.Sir Peter described the evil of corruption as a ball of snow which increases in strength and density as it rolls.

The three-day seminar is being attended by representatives from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, PNG, Vanuatu and Solomon islands.Local representatives also include officials from Non government organisations and the Office of the Auditor General.

Meanwhile Sir Peter has praised Transparency International for its initiative in developing programme to curb corruption in Asia and the Pacific.He said the system puts in place mechanism for measuring anti-corruption efforts and progress and building demand for effective national integrity systems in Asia and the Pacific.

Sir Peter said he was confident the programme will help strengthen the anti-corruption systems and reduce the evils of corruption.But Sir Peter also highlighted the need for more public awareness and understanding of corruption and good governance, saying very little is known at the village level.