Over 100 case referred to Ombudsman Commission since 1975

The Ombudsman Commission of Papua New Guinea has dealt with a total of 110 referral cases of politicians and public officials since its establishment in 1975.

According to Mr. Richard Paken, the Director of the Leadership Code, most of the referrals were successfully prosecuted.

“However, this year alone we have not seen any referrals of leaders to the Commission as yet, the last one to be referred to us was the former Opposition Leader,” Belden Namah, said Mr. Paken.

“The Ombudsman Commission was created under Section 217 of the Constitution and under Section 218, its purpose was established to ensure public officials and politicians do their job transparently and making sure the delivery of services reaches all the people.”

As a result of this, Paken said they will continue their constitutional duty to ensure compliance is there and our leaders continue to do things within the book to deliver to the people and it is for this very season that all government institutions must comply with the law in what they do.

Another purpose of the Ombudsman Commission is to make sure the laws made by the Government are in compliance with the existing laws and not any that would deprive the people.

Meantime, the Commission’s 40th Anniversary is being celebrated throughout the country and in Port Moresby, the day started with a float around the city. Information booths were also set up at Stop and Shop Central Waigani and Vision City to give the public information on the responsibility of the Commission, plus other important information on how to register complaints and the forms of corruption that exists.