Delay in naming OC head alarms opposition

THE opposition has expressed concern that the chief Ombudsman Commission position is still vacant at a time when there are many controversial leadership issues confronting Papua New Guinea.
Deputy leader of the opposition and Bulolo MP, Sam Basil said the commission was the chief enforcer of the leadership code and a watchdog over governance.
“It is unacceptable and improper for it to function without a chief ombudsman for too long,” he said.
Basil said the position of the chief ombudsman had two lots of acting appointments and “there are concerns that there may be a third acting appointment looming following the passing of Chronox Manek”.
“An acting appointment leaves whoever is in the chief ombudsman’s chair in a vulnerable and insecure position and subject to manipulation,” Basil said.
“We all know how effective the ombudsman commission is with a good, permanently appointed chief ombudsman at the helm.
“With leadership often too far and too high for ordinary people, the Ombudsman Commission has often been the peoples’ champion crying foul and taking action against breaches of the leadership code, especially misconduct in office.”
Basil said the constitutional office must be restored to its former glory and that could only begin with an activated and expedited appointment of a permanent chief ombudsman.
“I have raised this concern with my leader of opposition and member for Vanimo-Green, Belden Namah. 
“I am now calling on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and other Ombudsmen appointment committee members, including the Speaker of the National Parliament Theo Zurenuoc, Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia and Public Service Commission chairman to meet as soon as possible and activate this process,” Basil said.
He said with new amendments in-train, the appointment of a permanent chief ombudsman was paramount.
“Ministers and departmental heads and, even members of parliament overseeing K10 million per district all need the accountability and monitoring provided by the Ombudsman Commission, especially with a high deficit 2013 budget, which requires strong fiscal discipline.
“Key investigations need to be expedited without fear or favour aside from the on-going monitoring roles of the Ombudsman Commission as it performs its constitutional duty of ensuring good governance,” Basil said.