Ombudsman Commission

The reports cover the years 2014 and 2015. They detail the Ombudsman Commission’s functions and workings, financial reports and recommendations of the Ombudsman Commission.

The reports were presented to the Governor General by Chief Ombudsman Michael Dick.

According to Ombudsman Dick, the Reports detail the achievements and challenges faced by the Commission.

He said one of the achievements of the Ombudsman Commission outlined in the Reports was the construction of eight houses for its senior officers.

The Commission says it is of the view that a number of the Act’s provisions raise serious constitutional issues.

The Constitutional issues relate to:

Pruaitch said if the Ombudsman had not investigated a 10-year Build-Operate-Lease-Transfer (BOLT) agreement, the National Government would have agreed to pay K981.79 million annually for Government accommodation it planned to build.

Pruaitch claimed that the annual lease payment would have been more than four times the total current office rental paid by Government if the negotiation had gone through.

The Ombudsman Commission Report titled: “Investigation into alleged improper decision by the Government Office Allocation Committee to engage Central Land Ltd to build a 32-storey Government office complex at Waigani Central in the National Capital District”, stated that both leaders had breached Section 39 and 40 of the Public Finances (Management) Act, 1995 and Part 13, of the Financial Manual.

After its initial discussion with the Department of Finance, the Commission has further deliberated on the finer aspects of the PMMR Act on whether there are irregularities or sufficient doubt as to the constitutionality of the passing of the PMMR Act, as to warrant the Ombudsman Commission bring questions of constitutional interpretation and application to the Supreme Court under Section 19 of the Constitution*.

Namah said this following the recommendation by the Leadership Tribunal on Monday for his dismissal.

The outspoken leader said he has been singled out following the events of the political impasse and will challenge the tribunal’s decision.

In a media conference this afternoon, Namah said from the outset that as a leader he is bound by the laws of the land and accepts any error of judgement on his part.

However he said the tribunal’s ruling on a single count was harsh and oppressive and he will challenge it.

It has been alleged that Tjandra, an Indonesian businessman, is a fugitive from his country and its justice system.

"Ombudsman Commission's report on Tjandra is important and TIPNG has highlighted the apparent abuse of power by government officials in awarding citizenship to this allegedly unqualified applicant since it became public knowledge in 2009," said Chairman of TIPNG Lawrence Stephens.

The reference looks at what kind of powers the Electoral Commissioner has.

Filed by the Ombudsman Commission in July last year, the Supreme Court wants the reference to be heard quickly and has issued directions to the commission to comply with before February 14.

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia today endorsed draft index to the reference books and proposed answers to the reference questions that were drafted by the Ombudsman Commission. This including the statement of facts from the Commission.

About 15 questions were proposed to the Supreme Court to interpret.

Chief Ombudsman Michael Dick said the decision reiterates its position as an institution that will protect the constitution and promote good governance.

The reference was purposely to look at the constitutionality of the 2006 amendments to section 27(4) of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership, relating to changes in the rules of evidence in a leadership tribunal.