Financial Crime World

FICAC Takes Bold Steps to Combat Corruption

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has been a driving force in reducing corruption in Fiji, identifying key departments and public bodies necessary to achieve this goal.

Key Responsibilities of FICAC

According to a recent audit report, FICAC’s responsibilities include:

  • Providing public education and awareness creation
  • Offering advisory services
  • Enhancing integrity in the public service
  • Promoting standards and best practices
  • Building partnerships and coalitions against corruption
  • Undertaking research on corruption and governance-related issues

Corruption Prevention Department (CPD)

The CPD is the proactive arm of FICAC, responsible for implementing these functions through its:

  • Research & Advocacy Section (RAS)
  • Monitoring & Evaluation section (MES)
  • Production Section

Awareness Creation Activities

To create awareness about corruption, CPD conducts various activities, including:

  • Anticorruption awareness trainings
  • Integrity assessment trainings
  • Anticorruption media promotion

Statistics on Awareness Campaigns

According to FICAC’s annual reports, the CPD facilitated and conducted anti-corruption awareness sessions/workshops in:

  • 2014: Reaching a total of 247 participants from public sector entities, private sector bodies, schools, and communities across the country
  • 2015: Increasing to 191 participants
  • 2016 (seven months): Reaching 435 participants

Integrity Assessment Workshops

The CPD also conducts integrity assessment workshops using the Corruption Impact Assessment tool, aimed at:

  • Identifying gaps prone to corruptive situations
  • Offering advice on how to eliminate corrupt practices

Statistics include:

  • 10 assessments conducted with six institutions in 2015
  • 16 workshops held with six institutions in 2016
  • 4 assessments carried out in 2017

New Trainings Introduced by FICAC

In addition, FICAC introduced new trainings in 2017, including:

  • Corporate Integrity Pledge training
  • Anti-bribery training
  • Ethics and values awareness training
  • Good Kiddo Program
  • Young Leaders Seminar

A total of 108 such trainings were conducted in 2016/2017.

Media Promotion

FICAC promotes corruption awareness through media promotion, including:

  • Releasing press statements
  • Organizing advertising and publications
  • Airing commercials for the Commission

Statistics on awareness campaigns held from 2014 to 2017 include a total of two publications released in 2015.

Conclusion

These efforts demonstrate FICAC’s commitment to educating the public against the evils of corruption and enlisting public support in combating corruption. By providing these trainings, assessments, and media promotion, FICAC is helping to reduce the likelihood of corrupt practices and promoting integrity in Fiji’s public service.