"I urge everyone concerned to ensure that we are partners in ensuring there is good governance because the leading role of the Ombudsman in the essence of that role, is good governance".
The country's sixth Ombudsman, Hamlison Bulu, has made the above call to all Leaders at this time as they enter the period for the 2020 general election this month.
The office of the Ombudsman wishes to let the people of the Republic of Vanuatu know that there are now processes to be adhered to, before and when lodging complaints with the Office.
The office of the Ombudsman had its second amendment gazetted by the Office of State Law in the Official Gazette no.8 of 2020 which was published on the 6th of February 2020.
The Ombudsman’s extension building is slowly taking shape after nearly two months of construction.
The office space has been a concern over the past and has caused setbacks to increase much needed staff capacity.
Senior Management Team having initial discussions with Tracy and Eleanor.
Two representatives from the New Zealand Chief Ombudsman’s office visited the office of the Vanuatu Ombudsman’s Office in the last week of January 2020.
Prime Minister Hon. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas Minister Responsible for the Ombudsman tabled the bill in Parliament.
The Ombudsman Act No. 27 of 1998 was amended in December 2019, after 21 years. The last amendment was made in 1998. The amendment affects the current Act by three folds: The Office of the Ombudsman Governance moving away from the Public Services Commissions, which means the amendment now gives the power to the Ombudsman to appoint its own staff to maintain its independency as echoed by the Constitution.
The Office of the Ombudsman completed a 4 days retreat from the 13th to the 16th of January 2020 at the Melanesian Hotel.
Ombudsman Bulu
The year 2019 was another successful year for the Office of the Ombudsman, particularly in reducing an overwhelming number of complaints received and dealt with over the years, amounting to backlog. In January 2019, the Ombudsman’s Office was investigating a total of 257 complaints. At the end of December 2019, the total number of registered complaints within the office was reduced to 142.
The Ombudsman of the Republic of Vanuatu has toured the northern part of the country conducting free awareness to the public and leaders.
Ombudsman Hamlison Bulu first conferred about the role of the Office of the Ombudsman within the society in Lakatoro, Malekula, and Municipal Council in Santo and later in Torba Provincial Council.
The Office of the Ombudsman has released today a Public Report on the Alleged Breaches of Chapter 3 Paragraph 2 of The Teaching Service Staff Rules by Sanma Regional Education Officers Including and Other Persons as delegated by PEO Primary Education and The Sanma Provincial Education Officer(s) to complete the Annual Confidential Reports for Mr Loress Ninisa for over a period of 20 years.
PC: Juanita Ravakae
Massive Congratulations to the Ombudsman’s Office Principal Investigator; Mrs. Dorah Leitap Samuel for being awarded as the best Individual PSC awardee under the Ministry of Prime Minister’s Office for her excellent performance last year 2018.
Dorah started work with the Ombudsman’s Office in 1998 as an Admin and Secretary/Accountant under the leadership of Marie-Noelle Ferrieux Patterson; First Ombudsman of the Republic of Vanuatu. In April 2005, she was identified as having skills in Investigations, so she was appointed to the post of Assistant Investigator.
