29 Jan 2020

PNG maintains its position as most corrupt Pacific country

From , 5:02 am on 29 January 2020

Papua New Guinea has again maintained its position as the most perceptibly corrupt country in the Pacific.

That's according to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, which rates it at 137 out of 180 countries.

Somalia comes in last and New Zealand is the least corrupt.

PNG's prime minister James Marape says the country has lost billions of kina in government revenue to corruption and has promised major reforms.

Transparency International PNG's chair, Peter Aitsi, says legislation allowing for an Independent Commission Against Corruption is an example of this and could be enacted this year.

Dominic Godfrey asked Mr Aitsi about the main issues facing PNG.

Downtown Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Downtown Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades