The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), in partnership with the Sigatoka Town Council and Kris Signs, this week launched the ‘Organisations Against Corruption’ campaign at the Sigatoka bus stand aimed at increasing public awareness on corruption.
FICAC has taken radical steps in creating awareness about the causes and threats of corruption through fostered relationships with the public and private sector.
FICAC’S manager community relations and corruption prevention, Samisoni Ralulu said this campaign is an initiative to encourage more visible, tangible and collective efforts by the public in the fight against corruption and the promotion of good governance.
“Together, we are building a coalition of organisations in the private and the public sector to stand together against corruption, working towards a corruption free workplace and assuring the public that good-governance, fair treatment accountability, transparency and respect for the rule of law are the key elements that guide businesses and public officials in their everyday dealings”, Mr Ralulu said.
As part of the campaign, billboards have been put up at the Sigatoka bus stand to ensure that people read and become aware of what corruption is.
“Sigatoka town was also chosen for the launch of our campaign because we see this town as a bridge between the west and the central division. Statistics gathered from the bus companies, who service the Queens Highway state that an average of 3000 people per day pass through this bus stand on their way to and from Suva on public transport. This makes this venue and ideal place for the wide coverage of our anti-corruption message,” Mr Ralulu added.
Special Administrator for the Sigatoka Town Council, Aisea Tuidraki said it was a proud and historic moment for the township to be the first in launching such a campaign.
Mr Tuidraki said the town’s commitment to help in the fight against corruption is in line with Government’s vision of a corruption-free Fiji.
“It is the first in Fiji and in other municipalities as well. We are really proud to witness another historic occasion. We are trying to build a new Fiji, a Fiji that is free of corruption, and a Fiji that is progressive, prosperous and peaceful.
I believe we did that in 2010 when we launched Nadroga-Navosa as a crime free province. Our standing together is a result of such partnerships like this historical one with FICAC,” Mr Tuidraki said.
The Special Administrator said that they have organized training for their staff to promote transparency and accountability within the municipality.
“We as a municipality are also mindful of establishing good governance in our organization and we’ve undertaken a lot of important strategies. We’ve ensured that we have standard operating procedures in place. Last year, we took our staff into a change management process where we also tried to help our staff change their mindset and attitude. We hope that we’d be able to create a better Sigatoka Town Council that is more transparent and accountable to its ratepayers and citizens as a whole.”