ICAC bings anti-corruption drive to highlands first

The three commissioners of ICAC. From left to right (L-R) Retired Judge Ellenas Batari- Acting Deputy Commissioner Operations; Thomas Eluh (middle)- Acting Commissioner; and Retired Judge Don Sawong- Acting Deputy Commissioner-Prevention and Corporate during the first Highlands Regional ICAC Commissioners Breakfast Workshop in Mt Hagen on Tuesday (Supplied: ICAC)

The Independent Commission Against Corruption [ICAC] hosted its first Commissioners' Regional Breakfast Workshop in Mt Hagen, which brought together leaders and public servants to strengthen accountability and improve service delivery across the country.

The workshop is the first of four regional sessions ICAC plans to roll out nationwide. More than 100 government officials from across the Highlands attended.

The workshop focused on building stronger systems to prevent corruption at provincial and district levels.

ICAC Acting Commissioner Thomas Eluh highlighted the important role provinces play in delivering services to the people.

“Provincial administrations are the operational engines of government. When systems function well, services reach our people and developement outcomes improve.

“This workshop brings the Commission closer to Provincial and district administrations to strengthen working relationship in addressing corruption and strengthening integrity systems at the provincial level,” Eluh said.

Meanwhile, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Prevention and Corporate Don Sawong said ICAC is focused on stopping corruption before it starts.

“The role of the ICAC is both proactive and reactive. Our proactive mandate focuses on prevention, while our reactive mandate is centered on enforcement. At this early stage, the ICAC is adopting a clear approach: prevention first," Sawong said.

Sawong said ICAC’s prevention efforts will focus on awareness, communication and education. He said this will help strengthen understanding of the Commission’s mandate, encourage reporting of corruption, and support provincial and district administrations to take ownership of prevention efforts within their institutions.

He added that ICAC will also carry out risk assessments, system reviews and compliance checks in government offices.

Deputy Commissioner for Operations Ellenas Batari, a retired judge, warned public servants that the Commission has full powers to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.

“When prevention is ignored, ICAC will respond with the full force of its investigative powers.

"Our Investigation Division is fully empowered by the Organic Law on ICAC [OLICAC] to demand and seize documents, access financial records, trace payments, compel witnesses, and investigate any public agency. Our prosecutors are equally empowered to prosecute those who break the law."

He stressed that misuse of public funds and breaches of procurement laws will not be tolerated, and those responsible will face serious consequences.

ICAC also acknowledged support from the Australia–Papua New Guinea Law and Justice Partnership in making the workshop possible.