By Jack Lapauve Jr – EMTV News, Port Moresby
The Papua New Guinea Ombudsman Commission is undertaking a legislative review of the state agency and is near completion.
Chief Ombudsman, Michael Dick, says this is the first of its kind since the country’s independence. The head of Ombudsman Commission says the legislative review is almost complete. He says the institution plays a significant role in keeping a check and balance on governance and other functions in the public sector. The head of the watchdog made this statement after presenting its 2014 and 2015 yearly report to Government House yesterday.
Despite the report not being made public as yet, the watchdog agency says it highlights the challenges and achievements of its operation. Investigation is the core function of the Commission and challenges remain in its administration.
Michael Dick said one of the achievements of the Ombudsman Commission outlined in the Reports was the construction of eight houses for its senior officers. The presentation of the Annual Report to the Governor General is in accordance with Section 220 of the Constitution which requires the Ombudsman Commission to furnish to the Head of State, for presentation to Parliament, an Annual Report of its functions and workings.
