Richard Pagen

Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen and his team, addressed staff and students on the roles and functions of the Ombudsman Commission, at the SVD Memorial Auditorium (SVDMA). It was full to capacity.

DWU’s President, Professor Fr Philip Gibbs warmly welcomed the visitors.

“The Office of the Ombudsman Commission, plays a very important role, in ensuring the constitution of Papua New Guinea is protected, and we are honoured to have the 8^th Chief Ombudsman Commissioner speak to us,” said Professor Fr Gibbs.

Ombudsman Pagen fills the position left vacant by former Chief Ombudsman, Michael Dick, whose service came to an end when he reached the retirement age of 55 on October 4, 2019.

Pagen’s appointment as Acting Chief Ombudsman was made by the Ombudsman Appointments Committee and takes effect on October 5^th until a subsequent appointment is made.

On October 15^th, the new Acting Chief Ombudsman took his oath and was sworn into office at the Government House, before Governor General Sir Bob Dadae.

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.

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.