Pagen is new acting Chief Ombudsman

RICHARD Pagen was sworn in yesterday as the acting Chief Ombudsman by Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae at Government House.
He replaces Michael Dick who has retired.
Pagen said the commission would be continuing projects such as the legislative review, organisation restructure and housing for its employees.
“We are reviewing legislations and restructuring the commission to withstand new modes of corruption,” he said.
“Legislative review is nearing completion and expected to be presented to the National Executive Council by the end of this year.
“I cannot say that we are going to do new things but we will try to complete what we have started. We will be going around the country to assess how health and education services are provided and come up with policies that the Government can embrace.”
He said the country did not have a human rights office.
Therefore the commission will be monitoring the treatment of people held in custody.
“We will try to see that issues concerning human rights issues are attended to by relevant authorities.
“The commission will also look at why people are living in poverty despite our country’s vast natural resources.”
He said they would look into government loans.
“It’s not an investigation, we will assist the government to improve its policies on loans.”