Fiji’s Corruption Perceptions Index Score Highlights Effectiveness of Anti-Corruption Agency

Joseph Veramu is an Executive of CLCT Integrity Fiji

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2021 results released on Jan 25, 2022 showed that Fiji received a score of 55 out of 100 and a ranking of 45 out of 180 nations. The CPI ranks 180 countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. The results are given on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Two-thirds of countries scored below 50, indicating that they have serious corruption problems, while 27 countries are at their lowest score ever.

A Report in Transparency Times of 24/1/2022 noted that “From a Transparency International New Zealand point of view, it was also pleasing, given the work we’ve been doing with Fiji to see them re-enter the index rating with a score of 55, placing it well inside the top 50 countries.”

Grace Konrote of Integrity Fiji’s Youth Network noted “we have to give credit where it is due. The Fijian anti-corruption agency FICAC has worked hard in anti-corruption advocacy and interventions. A representative of one of our major donors, NZMFAT, remarked that Fiji is a nation where the anti-corruption agency actually works! It is important that all non-state agencies in the anti-corruption space engage with FICAC so that our CPI score continues to rise annually.” Ms Konrote also reported that Integrity Fiji has a joint project with the Fiji Procurement Office of the Ministry of Economy on the ‘Right to Information and Ethical Procurement Processes.’ The project is supported by UKAid through the United Nations Development Programme.

Although Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index alludes to government and public sector entities, it also has significant implications for the Fijian economy.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economy, Shiri Gounder was reported in fijivillage.com of 18/12/2021 noting that Fiji secured over $400 million in budget support grants through the Governments of Australia and New Zealand. Mr Gounder noted that this “reflected the trust our bilateral partners have in Fiji's public financial management system.” He added that the “large funding support required tactful negotiation and more importantly, completion of a number of reform measures to strengthen public finance management, support private sector development, improve performance of state-owned enterprises and build disaster resilience, amongst other reform measures.” 

With overseas tourists seeking a safe place to travel to, it is positive news to read in Travel Daily Australia (as reported by the CEO of Fiji Tourism, Brent Hill) that Fiji was the most visited overseas destination by Australians in December 2021.

The CPI for Fiji was released in January 2022 while the Global Corruption Barometer Pacific Survey was released in November 2021. In hindsight, the GCP Survey results portended positive outcomes for Fiji in the CPI 2021. The GCB surveyed perceptions, practice and experiences of corruption. On the Fijian public’s experience of bribery (based on people who used these public services in the previous 12 months) it was noted that the bribery rates were negligible. The following minimal rates were recorded: Public schools 3%; Public clinic or hospital 2%; Receiving government documents 2%; Utilities 3% and Police 4%. To the question, “Is the Government doing a good or bad job fighting corruption?” 56% replied that it was doing a good job.

It is appreciated that in the battle to curb corruption in Fiji, non-state agencies like CLCT Integrity Fiji, multilateral partners like the United Nations Development Program, the private sector and civil society must work in collaboration with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption. The GCB Pacific 2021 Survey Report noted that 83% of Fijians responded positively to the question, “Can ordinary people make a difference in the fight against corruption?”

Transparency International reported that, “The 2021 CPI results noted that nations with well-protected civil and political liberties generally control corruption better. The fundamental freedoms of association and expression are crucial in the fight for a world free of corruption.”

Fiji has robust social movements and civil society groups who are regularly widely reported in the mainstream media critiquing Government policies. 

Despite differences in ideologies, it is important that all stakeholders in the anti-corruption space pool their resources and work together to curb corruption in Fiji and the Pacific region.