Ombudsman Hamlison Bulu paid his first courtesy visit to the Hon Prime Minister Bob Loughman Weibur on May 15, 2020.

Hon Prime Minister Bob Loughman Weibur.

The main objective of the courtesy visit was to brief the Hon Prime Minister about the core functions of the Ombudsman Office, the challenges faced by the Office over the past and the existing plans of the Ombudsman to strengthen the capacity of his office and how best the Hon Prime Minister can assist as the Minister responsible for the administration of the Ombudsman and his Office.

As explained by Ombudsman Bulu, the institution he leads experienced various amounts of challenges and the existence of these challenges pose a significant risk on how his office is conducting its functions, therefore certain changes is needed to address these challenges, one of which is the shortage of investigators.

Ombusman Bulu stressed to the Hon Prime Minister that since taking up the Office, the first phase of legislative changes have already been implemented and more changes is to happen over the coming years.

The Ombudsman indicated to the Hon Prime Minister that his office is short staffed and due to budgetary constraints certain changes that needs implementing will be on hold until such time the Government can approve funding to boost the capcity of the Ombudsman Office.

Ombudsman Bulu explained to the Hon Prime Minister that the Ombudsman Office will always be at the forefront of addressing issues of Corruption ,ensuring Good Governance is applied within all Government Agencies and also monitor and take action on the conduct of Leaders whenever their conduct is being called into question.

The Hon Prime Minister, Bob Loughman thanked the Ombudsman for the Courtesy visit and acknowledged the updates from the Ombudsman and informed that as Minister responsible for the Ombudsman Office, he will ensure the recommendations of the necessary changes that will enhance the capacity of the Ombudsman Office will be acted on.

Prime Minister Loughman applauded the approach Ombudsman Bule is taking to ensure every Leaders who do not abide the Law are dealt with. The Ombudsman met the Prime Minister with other senior officers within his office along with the first Political Advisor to the Prime Minister, Mr John William Timakata.