Michael Dick

Governor-General Bob Dadae yesterday officiated at the swearing in of the new Chief Ombudsman at Government House in Port Moresby.

The Chief Ombudsman term is for six years.

Dick is a former accountant with the Ombudsman Commission.

“The Ombudsman Commission being an anti-corruption entity must be seen to live up to the purpose of its establishment,” Dick said the swearing in ceremony.  

The OC office doors in Port Moresby and Lae were locked by the landlord last Friday because of non-payment of rental bills.                            

The closure has also affected the public counter to lodge complaints against people holding public office who are suspected of breaking the leadership code.        

The Chief Ombudsman said outstanding rental payments of K975,000 had already been paid by the Finance Department and expects the office to be opened after confirmation by the landlord.  

The Prime Minister has also revealed the appointment of Richard Pagen as Ombudsman while Apeo Fuata Sione has been re-appointed as Commissioner of the Public Services Commission.

As chair of the Ombudsman Appointments Committee, and chair of the Public Services Commission Appointments Committee, O’Neill said: “It was agreed by the Ombudsman Appointments Committee that Michael Dick was the outstanding candidate for appointment to this vital instrument of our constitution.

“I have great faith in Michael Dick’s integrity, transparency and independence.

The Speaker of Parliament, the Attorney General, Electoral Commission and chairman of the Constitutional Law and Reforms Commission, are to be served the reference by February 16.

The Commission must serve the reference on the four parties, including an application seeking interim orders. If these parties are interested in the reference, they are to file responding statements by February 21.

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia issued the directions to Ombudsman Commission’s counsel Dr Vergil Narokobi today.

“The Commission notes the seriousness of these allegations and the great public interest surrounding it and urges all parties involved to follow proper channels and procedures to seek redress,” says the OC in a statement.

Acting Chief Ombudsman, Michael Dick, says like any other complaint, the OC will assess the grievance through its screening process under both the Leadership Code and the administrative complaints functions. They will then determine whether to carry out an investigation or not.

In a statement released today, the Ombudsman Commission says Ombudsman Dick fills the position left vacant by former acting chief Ombudsman, Phoebe Sangetari.

“Pagen, who is the director of the leadership division in the Ombudsman Commission, fills in one of the vacant Ombudsman positions.

“The appointments were made by the Ombudsman Appointments Committee on July 29, in accordance with section 217 of the constitution, and are effective from August 1 until further notice,” reads the statement.

Dick has an accounting degree from the University of Papua New Guinea.

Speaking at the Certified Practicing Accountants PNG and Australia Joint Annual National Conference recently, Dick said in a society where people feel like they cannot trust anyone anymore, integrity is a big deal.

 “And it is a big deal to our generation of young people who need role models they can trust and emulate.

 “If a man lacks ability, you can teach him job skills. But if a man lacks integrity, no amount of job training will make him a trustworthy person.