TWO responsible Constitutional Institutions, the Ombudsman Commission (OC) and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), have been told to diligently look into addressing the issues of justice and breakdown of good governance in the country.
THE President of the Catholic Professional Society of Papua New Guinea, Paul Harricknen made this call in a press conference at the Catholic Bishop Conference in Port Moresby on Thursday.
The President’s call supports the earlier call made by Cardinal John Ribat on addressing the rapid increase of corruption that is taking place in the country.
Mr. Harricknen expressed that it is time the government needs to come up with collective measures to reduce and eliminate corruption in the country.
He specifically points to the politicians and the public servants who are seen to be involving in corrupt practices in the country.
“We are questioning the status of the offices of OC, ICAC, the Royal PNG Constabulary (RPNGC), Fraud Squad, and the Public Prosecutor,” President Harricknen stressed.
He strongly believed that public offices including public service institutions are so much politicized and there is a lot of evidence of institutions being politically compromised.
“Politicians have placed rings around the public servants, and have taken over the work of public servants in delivery of services,” said Mr. Harricknen.
“We support the call by the Cardinal John Ribat for law enforcement agencies and institutions to investigate, charge and prosecute MPs and Public office holders who are not upholding integrity and transparency in their office.”
He reiterated further, stating politicians and public servants must resign from their positions when they see they are not in compliance with the leadership Code so they can uphold accountability and integrity of the respective offices and respect the people they serve for the nation.
“We call on the ICAC and other anti-corruption state agencies to fully utilize the powers entrusted on them to do more to stop the spread of this cancer of corruption,” President Harricknen said.
He also urged Members of Parliament to uphold honesty in addressing the current state of political leadership and aim to promote safe society and good governance for the people of PNG.
“This is about survival of the people we are advocating, and the politicians must listen to the cry of the people,” President expressed.