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39 of 84 complaints resolved against public officers in 2025 – Ombudsman Office
(Kaieteur News) – The Office of the Ombudsman in 2025 received 84 complaints against public officers, 39 of which were resolved or justified according to its annual report.
According to the document laid in the National Assembly on Monday, 39 complaints were resolved, 10 unjustified, three are pending, 15 were declined or fell out of the office’s jurisdiction, five were referred and 12 received assistance.
Complaints declined by the Office was done in accordance with Articles 192 (3) and 193 of the Constitution which indicates that the ombudsman is precluded from investigating the commencement or conduct of civil criminal proceedings in any court; where a complaint has a remedy through the court or owing to “stale and frivolous” complaints.
Ombudsman, Justice (Ret’d), Winston Patterson
A complaint is made directly to the ombudsman by the aggrieved person or by someone authorised by him. The aim of the ombudsman’s office is to assist public officers in the performance of their duties to prevent recurrence of mistakes and to further enhance the performance of the departments.
Justice (Ret’d) Winston Patterson is the current Ombudsman, appointed since May 2017.
The report states that complaints that fell under the office’s jurisdiction are notably lower than those outside of its jurisdiction.
The ombudsman is appointed by the president after consultation with the opposition leader.
In a summary of complaints received by the office, it was stated that a complainant reported issues at the Central Housing and Planning Authority.
The complainant applied for and was awarded a turnkey home in Berbice. He completed all required payments to the Ministry of Housing and awaited delivery of the letter of assurance to his loan agency.
After a prolonged period, the loan agency repeatedly contacted him regarding the letter of assurance. When he reached out to the ministry’s office in Berbice, he was consistently referred to central housing in Georgetown. He stated, “As I began to check with Central Housing and Planning, they kept putting me off, and very often the response was next week it will be done. I am at a point where I am frustrated and have lost confidence in the words of the officials at the ministry. I feel as if I am being pushed around and something sinister beyond my understanding is occurring,” he said in the report.
The office of the ombudsman said the complainant pleaded for his help and within two weeks, the matter was resolved to his satisfaction.
In another instance, a former employee of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) complained that her husband worked at the commission and died while on duty, leaving her with six children.
“She complained of being denied the right to have Christmas food vouchers annually when other retirees are being given, and four years she has been enquiring about her entitlement, only to be told the commission indicated that her name is not listed,” the report stated.
Upon investigation, the office said it was discovered that she is a pensioner well known and fondly considered. As such, it was noted that there is no condition of her pensionable arrangements that entitles her to a “Christmas voucher” which has been annually considered and approved by the Board of Directors of the GGMC as a staff welfare discretion. Additionally, the complainant is not a staff member.
“The commission considered the complainant with fondness and respect, noting her longstanding association with the organisation. Their understanding was that the complainant resided in another country and was therefore not included among the beneficiaries of the voucher,” the report stated.
It added that Christmas vouchers are granted at the discretion of the board with no intention to single out or disadvantage the complainant. The commission reiterated regard for the complainant and wished her well in her retirement, while confirming that no retroactive payments will be made, 9 of which were resolved or justified according to its Annual Report.
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