Third commissioner needed: Kua

THE Shadow Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Kerenga Kua, is again urging the Government to appoint a third Ombudsman Commissioner immediately as a vacancy has existed for two years.
Kua said it was in the interest of the country that the prime minister and the appointment committee met to appoint a third commissioner so that the backlog of complaints referred to the Office of the Ombudsman Commission could be deliberated, moved forward or dismissed.
“At the moment members of parliament, senior public servants, are free to do as they wish as the body responsible to check on their activities is incapable of taking decisions as there are only two commissioners in office,” he said.
“Since the O’Neill government took office, this Constitutional Office has not been able to function properly to serve its mandated responsibilities and core functions. After the passing of the previous Chief Ombudsman Commissioner, the late Kronox Manek, Phoebe Sangetari was only serving in an acting capacity until her term expired and was not renewed. A year ago, last February, the appointment committee only confirmed Michael Dick as the Chief Ombudsman and Richard Pagen as a commissioner but a vacancy still exists.
“Constitutionally, there should be two commissioners plus the chief ombudsman commission, a total of 3 commissioners so the office can function effectively.
“This protracted delay is a deliberate attempt to hinder the operations of the office and make the backlog impossible to clear in a given period of time which so far seems to be the full term of this government. This is disgraceful.
“I would suggest to the Office of the Ombudsman Commission to respectfully appeal to the Office of the Chief Justice to urge the appointments committee to meet and appropriately empower this important Constitutional Office by appointing a third commissioner.
“Despite the absence of a third commissioner, there is no reason for the OC not to be implementing the leadership code as they still have a legal team equipped to advise and carry out its functions and responsibilities,” Kua said.