The head of the United Nations system in Papua New Guinea says he is delighted with an international award given to the "Phones Against Corruption" initiative.
PNG Phones Against Corruption Photo: supplied
Under the scheme, public servants are encouraged to send texts or other messages, at no charge, if they see funds being misused, nepotism or other activities that might be deemed corrupt.
Since it was launched in 2014, thousands of texts and phone calls have been made, a number of people have been convicted of corrupt practices and some public money has been recovered.
The UNDP is one of the backers of the project and its country director, Roy Trivedy, said he is delighted it's won the global magazine, Government Insider's, Innovation Awards for "best citizen engagement."
"It's great that Papua New Guinea has been recognised, the work in Papua New Guinea has been recognised for its innovation and so on, and trying to tackle perhaps in a small way an issue, which is of public concern, globally," he said.
