Ombudsman to Get Re-Appointed; Integrity Commission and Contractor General More Difficult

Dean Barrow

Concerns have been raised over a trio of important Government oversight posts that seemed to be neglected. Ombudsman Lionel Arzu is halfway to being re-appointed for another one-year term after the originating motion passed through the House. But Prime Minister Dean Barrow says it will be considerably more difficult to appoint a new Contractor General to replace Godwin Arzu, after he failed to come through on delivering outstanding reports to the National Assembly. A new president for the Integrity Commission is also wanted, but that body continues to function.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“I move, whereas section three-two of the Ombudsman Act provides that the Ombudsman shall be appointed by the Governor-General, acting on the recommendation of both Houses of the National Assembly, and whereas Mr. Lionel Arzu possesses the relevant qualifications: now therefore be it resolved that this Honorable House, being satisfied that Mr. Lionel Arzu is a fit and proper person to be appointed as Ombudsman, recommends to the Governor-General that Mr. Lionel Arzu be appointed as Ombudsman for a period of one year with effect from April first, 2018, in accordance with the provisions of the Ombudsman Act.”

Reporter

“Integrity Commission: how long do you foresee taking finding someone else to replace the chairman?”

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“It shouldn’t be long and as I say, I haven’t exactly been rushing simply because the Commission continues to function; the absence of a chairman temporarily does not bring the work of the Commission. This is not like when we had no Commission. But nevertheless to answer your question, it shouldn’t be too long. We’re not sure whether to advertize; we’re looking at people in the Public Service who have a record that might be prepared, either if they’re on the cusp of retirement or have already retired so we can fill the slot. The initial hope, based on the promise of the ex-Contractor General that he would have completed the reports, seems to be not materializing. This is now March; he was to have delivered those reports a long time ago. It hasn’t happened, so we have now determined on looking elsewhere.”