I’m not aware of complaint: PM

PRIME Minister James Marape says he is not privy to a properly filed complaint on allegations of misconduct against Ombudsman Commissioner Richard Pagen.
He said this in Parliament on Friday when he was responding to questions raised by Esa’ala MP Davis Steven on allegations “formally raised against the current Ombudsman Commissioner”.
“If there is a complaint, I am not privy to a proper filed complaint that warrants an OC committee to sit,” he said.
“However, I will get my office to check, if it requires that meeting will take place, and the member will be questioned.”
Steven, in a series of questions, called on Marape whether the Ombudsman Commission disciplinary committee had dealt with the serious allegations of misconduct by the Chief Ombudsman.
“I asked the same questions two sessions ago and I was given the undertaking that there would be an explanation in a letter form however that did not come,” Steven said.
“As the prime minister would fully appreciate, in law the OC-appointed committee can refer the Chief Ombudsman in cases such as allegations of misconduct.
“Also from the record, the State- Solicitor and the Chief Justice have already taken the position that the Ombudsman-appointed committee should take action.”
As Steven tried to ask his questions several point of orders were raised starting with Marape.
Marape said: “Standing orders prevent leaders from questioning Government business that is on foot in the form of questions.”
Marape further stated that Steven rephrase his question with Speaker Job Pomat also asking Steven to ask his questions.
As Steven tried to provide background to his questions, Minister for State Owned Enterprise William Duma interjected with a point of order asking for Steven to ask his question instead of making a statement, Pomat again asked that Steven ask his questions.
Stevens said: “Will you convene the Ombudsman Commission committee to deal with the serious issues of misconduct that were received prior to his appointment and after the appointment?
“Would you give this matter some urgency in the light of that parliament is in receipt of the amendments we are dealing with. In one hand, we want to support our country going forward but we want to ensure these institutions are in good hands.”
Again, Duma stood up with a point of order, saying: “This is a constitutional office, they have the right to mount challenges in the interest of the majority of the people who can’t talk.
“We cannot question the institution that we set up to do the very task we are doing now in questioning the OC.”
However, Pomat reminded parliament that Marape would be answering the question.
Marape said: “The current OC’s appointment was not picked by the Government, it is a Constitutional office and there is body of four to five people who go through such appointments.
“In the case of the OC appointment process, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, the Opposition Leader and the Public Service Commission all sit to get a fit and proper person to be appointed.”