THE OMBUDSMAN MEETS WITH THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER TO SIERRA LEONE TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE WAYS OF SUPPORTING THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

*Freetown, Sierra Leone June 29th, 2017*

The Ombudsman of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mr. Melron Nicol-Wilson, on Wednesday 28th June 2016, held discussions with the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Guy Warrington, at the British High Commission on Spur Road in Freetown. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possible means through which the British High Commission in Sierra Leone could support the work of the Office of the Ombudsman.

During the discussions, the Ombudsman thanked the British High Commissioner for inviting him to a meeting to discuss the activities of the Office and its 100-Day Plan of Action. The Ombudsman explained the functions of his Office, which he said was to deal with complaints from members of the public against government agencies in Sierra Leone. He informed the High Commissioner that his Office is very critical in the enhancement of good governance in Sierra Leone and the maintenance of peace and security. As such, he requested the support of the British High Commission in the areas of institutional development and staff capacity.

In his response, the British High Commissioner informed the Ombudsman about the Chevening Scholarships, which he said the High Commission gives out to ten Sierra Leoneans every year to pursue graduate programmes in the United Kingdom. The High Commissioner told the Ombudsman to encourage his staff to apply for the scholarship. The High Commissioner also promised that he would introduce the Ombudsman to key officials who are running the Common Wealth Scholarship programme, and officials in charge of the governance programme at the Department for International Development (DFID) for possible funding and technical support to the Office after the 2018 elections.

Since he took over the Office in May 2017, Mr. Melron Nicol-Wilson has been meeting with heads of diplomatic missions and development agencies in Sierra Leone to explain the importance of the Office of the Ombudsman in the governance process and to solicit their support.

Abdulai Senesie Principal Public Relations Officer Office of the Ombudsman, Sierra Leone +23278826484