Yu Tok
THE Auditor General’s Office (AGO) is now under the
spotlight by a number of agencies including the Ombudsman Commission.
It will be a concern for Papua New Guineans to know that the agency tasked to do audits of the Government’s financial affairs is itself the subject of a number of investigations. We do not intend to pre-empt the findings of those various inquiries but no stone must be left unturned due to the critical role the AGO plays in the Government’s accountability and transparency mechanisms.
It will be a concern for Papua New Guineans to know that the agency tasked to do audits of the Government’s financial affairs is itself the subject of a number of investigations. We do not intend to pre-empt the findings of those various inquiries but no stone must be left unturned due to the critical role the AGO plays in the Government’s accountability and transparency mechanisms.
However, we note the irony in the story on another state institution – the
Ombudsman Commission – also facing challenges of its own with a chief ombudsman
yet to be appointed. Acting Chief Ombudsman Phoebe Sangetari was recently
reappointed to hold the fort in an acting capacity until a permanent appointment
is made. But for how long?
The O’Neill Government came into office from the 2012 general election with a strong anti-corruption platform. So while we applaud the Government on its various anti-corruption initiatives such as the Task Force Sweep Team and Rausim Alien Task Force, Papua New Guineans would want progress on a permanent appointment to the position of Chief Ombudsman. They need to be convinced that the Government is serious about taking the fight against corruption to the next level, which can happen when a Chief Ombudsman is appointed and confident to play that role.
The O’Neill Government came into office from the 2012 general election with a strong anti-corruption platform. So while we applaud the Government on its various anti-corruption initiatives such as the Task Force Sweep Team and Rausim Alien Task Force, Papua New Guineans would want progress on a permanent appointment to the position of Chief Ombudsman. They need to be convinced that the Government is serious about taking the fight against corruption to the next level, which can happen when a Chief Ombudsman is appointed and confident to play that role.
It is time to convene a meeting of the Ombudsman Appointments Committee to bring
this agenda forward. The committee comprises the Prime Minister, the Chief
Justice, the Leader of the Opposition, the chair of the Permanent Parliamentary
Committee on Appointments and the chair of the Public Services Commission.
A fortnight ago the Government announced the appointment of woman lawyer Nerrie Eliakim as Chief Magistrate. But the failure by the Government to also progress work and confirm a suitable candidate to the Ombudsman Commission’s highest position raises questions about its own commitment to the transparency and accountability values it says it stands for.
A fortnight ago the Government announced the appointment of woman lawyer Nerrie Eliakim as Chief Magistrate. But the failure by the Government to also progress work and confirm a suitable candidate to the Ombudsman Commission’s highest position raises questions about its own commitment to the transparency and accountability values it says it stands for.
The biggest concern for Papua New Guineans would be the disbursement of the
record K13 billion 2013 National Government Budget and how institutions charged
with the responsibility to keep an eye on the money trail are on-the-ball in
their audits and monitoring. The report in today’s edition of the Post-Courier
on the AGO is a bad start to 2013.
Last December Deputy Opposition Leader and Bulolo MP Sam Basil described as “unacceptable and improper” the delay in making a permanent appointment. He said having an acting appointment made the commission vulnerable. Last night former counsel to the Ombudsman Commission, Vergil Narokobi, echoed similar sentiments in a posting on the Facebook group Sharp Talk, saying a permanent appointee will not fear loss of office which would give them confidence to make tough decisions.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has made 2013 the “year of implementation” and has in the last two three weeks put our leaders. Papua New Guineans would like to see the Government making progress on the position of Chief Ombudsman, having an acting appointment does not give confidence to anyone including international investors.
Last December Deputy Opposition Leader and Bulolo MP Sam Basil described as “unacceptable and improper” the delay in making a permanent appointment. He said having an acting appointment made the commission vulnerable. Last night former counsel to the Ombudsman Commission, Vergil Narokobi, echoed similar sentiments in a posting on the Facebook group Sharp Talk, saying a permanent appointee will not fear loss of office which would give them confidence to make tough decisions.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has made 2013 the “year of implementation” and has in the last two three weeks put our leaders. Papua New Guineans would like to see the Government making progress on the position of Chief Ombudsman, having an acting appointment does not give confidence to anyone including international investors.
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