WE MUST COLLECTIVELT ADDRESS CORRUPTION: OPPOSITION

Mathew Wale made the call following the release of the 2010 index yesterday which ranked Solomon Islands 110 out of the 178 countries listed. (Pic: Supplied-Solomon Times)

Editor's Desk

The Opposition has called for a combined effort to improve Solomon Islands rating on the annual Transparency International Corruption Perception Index.

Deputy Opposition Leader, Mathew Wale made the call following the release of the 2010 index yesterday which ranked Solomon Islands 110 out of the 178 countries listed.

Mr Wale said it is unfortunate that the NCRA Government has no clear strategy to fight corruption.

He said the rating of Solomon Islands as one of the highly corrupt countries in the listing is a national embarrassment and highlights the need for the government must put in place a clear strategy to effectively combat and deter corruption.

Mr Wale said necessary resources must be allocated for the implementation of the strategy and it must involve all sectors of the society in order to achieve the desired result.

The Deputy Opposition Leader said corruption has deprived Solomon Islanders from a maximum benefit from the country’s abundant natural resources and the millions of dollars poured into the country annually by aid donors and other international organisations.