Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Solomons lose US$50m through government malpractice, says audit

Posted at 05:15 on 11 November, 2009 UTC

The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands says an auditor general’s report on corruption has shown more than 50 million US dollars has been lost through carelessness and malpractice in government ministries.

According to the Solomon Times, Dr Derek Sikua made the comment at an anti-corruption workshop in Honiara, which was organised for politicians and public sector representatives.

The Prime Minister has warned ministries to clamp down on such practices contained in more than 10 audit reports.

He says if nothing is done corruption will cripple the government system and undermine efforts to establish stable and fair governance.

The workshop is the second in a series aimed at involving people in developing an anti-corruption policy.