PRESIDENT ERNEST BAI KOROMA VISITS THE NEW HEADQUARTERS OF THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN IN FREETOWN

Friday 19th January, 2018

His Excellency the President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, on Friday 19th January, 2018, visited the new headquarters of the Office of the Ombudsman at 26 Charlotte Street, Freetown.

The Ombudsman Melron Nicol-Wilson took His Excellency on a tour of the office premises and showed him the new facilities he had installed, which included CCTV cameras, electronic biometric sign-in machines for staff, air conditions, intranet and internet. The Ombudsman informed His Excellency that the rent for the modern four storey office is exactly the same as the one that was paid for the one storey building the Office was occupying on Liverpool Street, which he said was the main concern of the Ministry of Works.

The Executive Secretary in the Office of the Ombudsman, Dr. Sheku Conteh, explained to the President the present structure and staffing of the Office, which includes the Ombudsman, the Executive Secretary, three divisions headed by directors and four regional managers.

His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma expressed that he was very impressed with the new working environment of the Office of the Ombudsman, which he said would serve as a motivation for staff.

Commenting on the President's visit, the Ombudsman Melron Nicol-Wilson said that, this was the first time, since the establishment of the institution, for a sitting President to visit the Ombudsman's office. The Ombudsman described the visit as a show of commitment by His Excellency to ensure Administrative Justice for everyone, and how much importance he attaches to the work of Office of the Ombudsman.