Steps being made to appoint Ombudsman - Nandlall

Steps being made to appoint Ombudsman – Nandlall

Mar 18, 2013 News

By Abena Rockcliffe
While executives of some developed and developing countries across the world have designated several Ombudsmen, Guyana remains without one for the last seven years.

APNU MP, James Bond

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

This situation captured the attention of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament James Bond, who posed questions in relation to the non appointment of an Ombudsman to the Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall.
Those questions were laid in the National Assembly and written responses were made available.
An Ombudsman is an official, usually appointed by the government or by Parliament but with a significant degree of independence.
One such official is charged with representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or violation of rights. The typical duties of an Ombudsman are to investigate complaints and attempt to resolve them, usually through recommendations. Ombudsmen sometimes also aim to identify systemic issues leading to poor service or breaches of people’s rights. At the national level, most Ombudsmen have a wide mandate to deal with the entire Public Sector, and sometimes also elements of the Private Sector.
An Ombudsman has the power to sanction if a citizen feels he or she has been treated unjustly by a high profile member of society, even a Minister.
If the courts have a hold up in trying the case, the Ombudsman can sanction, after consideration in accordance with the laws.
Guyana has been without an Ombudsman since the retirement of Justice Sheik Mohamed in 2005.
Bond’s questions were aimed at ascertaining what are the hindrances that have been, over the years, standing in the way of the appointment of an Ombudsman.
The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs said that article 191 (1) of the constitution states “that the Ombudsman shall be appointed by the President acting after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.
He disclosed that the President has held consultations with the Leader of the Opposition in relation to the appointment.
However, from all indications, an agreement has not been reached.
Nevertheless, indications were not made as to what hindrances stand in the way of an agreement between the President and the Opposition Leader on making such a designation.
The Office of the Ombudsman is stated as human rights institution in Guyana.