Around 40 investigators working in the Ombudsman and Auditor General’s offices, Leadership Code Commissions and police are attending the three days workshop "United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Anti-Corruption Regional Training for Investigating Cases of Corruption."

Deputy Speaker of Tonga's Legislative Assembly Lord Tu'i'afitu, said these are experienced investigators from across 16 jurisdictions in the Pacific tasked with the important responsibility of promoting good governance, accountability and transparency through their investigations, audits and oversight work.

"Enhancing accountability and transparency within government takes the combined and cooperative efforts of many players within a country."

He said in Tonga, the Ombudsman and Auditor General, play an important and mutually enhancing role in that both are promoting good governance, accountability and transparency through their oversight of government administration and suspected wrongdoing.

The Ombudsman’s investigations into government actions shines a light on public officials misconduct and poor administration, which provides opportunity for corruption to grow and supports the improvement to public service delivery.

"Alongside, is the Auditor General through transparent and ongoing audit programs provides communities with assurance that government expenditure and service delivery is undertaken appropriately," he said.

“Your attendance will strengthen and improve your understanding of investigation techniques and applications to manage corruption issues and public administration.”

Truth

Maria Adomeit, Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor UNODC said they are happy to have many expert participants.

She said participants will learn more on the skills needed for their investigations, which is very important to their jobs. Mostly, they are not investigating crime scenes with eyewitnesses or fingerprints, but are investigating secretive actions involving parties with nobody to reveal the truth, she said.

The training is being held at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel.