On Tuesday 18th December 2018, the Ombudsman and team visited the regional office in Bo and was briefed by the head of office in Bo, Alex Nallo, who highlighted the challenges faced by the office in doing their duties. He noted that they are faced with serious challenges such as lack of adequate logistics and mobility, lack of office phone, complaint boxes not functional, aged equipment and lack of internet facility and failure by MDA’s to reply to correspondences. He revealed that the office received 120 complaints of which 97 have been resolved with 23 under investigation.
Responding the Ombudsman Leon Jenkins- Johnston thanked the Head of Office and team for the good work they have been doing. He said that he is impressed with the outfit. He noted that his visit is to familiarise himself with staff to map the way forward and encouraged them to continue the good work.
The Ombudsman and team visited the AIG South, Bo West division AIG K.S Kamara. The Ombudsman Leon Jenkins-Johnston Esq, thanked the AIG for coordinating a joint meeting with the Resident Minister E.K Allieu, Senior District Officer Alfred Saidu and representatives of various stakeholders in DISEC. He said that he brought a message from the president people should be ready to use the reset button for the country to move forward. He further explained the role and function of the Office of the Ombudsman. He stated that the office of the Ombudsman will investigate any complaint coming from the any member of the public against government institution. He asked that superiors should treat subordinates fairly and all grievance procedures are followed. He stated that the president has asked all citizens to help in the fight against corruption and should press the reset button to move the country forward. He noted that the president want to change the mindset of citizens towards public life. He ask all on behalf of the president to support the free quality education drive. He noted that many government institution sees that Office of the ombudsman as an intruder, as they try to mediate between superiors and subordinate. He revealed that the Ombudsman has the powers of a Judge and can supine anyone to answer question.
Making a contribution, the Resident Minister South Mohamed E.K Allieu, thanked the Ombudsman and team for meeting with them as stakeholders and asked that all stakeholder cooperate with the Office of the Ombudsman and that they should treat their subordinate fairly to avoid the intervention of the Office of the Ombudsman. He appealed to the Ombudsman to make available copies of the Ombudsman’s Act so that they can familiarise themselves.
Later that day the Ombudsman and team met with the resident Judge in Bo, His Lordship Justice Unisa Kamara. The Ombudsman Leon Jenkins-Johnston explained the roles and functions of the office of the Ombudsman. He noted that though Section 8 subsection 1&2 of the Ombudsman Act make provision for exclusion of jurisdiction, he will not come to Bo and not pay a courtesy call on the His Lordship.
His Lordship Justice Unisa Kamara, notes that he was pleased to see that Leon Jenkins-Johnston was the new Ombudsman. He noted that such position comes with added responsibilities and wished the new Ombudsman all the best in his new position.
The team also paid courtesy call on the Mayor of Kenema City Council Dr. Harold Tucker. The Ombudsman Leon Jenkins-Johnston expressed thanks and appreciation for the reception he received. He noted that the council is face with problems of end of service benefits. He noted that this is not a unique problem as it is one of the most frequent complaints received against various councils across the country. The ombudsman explained the roles and functions of the Office of the Ombudsman and asked the mayor to support and coordinate with the Office in Bo.
Responding the His Worship the Mayor, Dr. Harold Tucker welcomed the Ombudsman and team and appeal to the Ombudsman to look into the issue of retirement package. He noted that there are lot of administrative issues with regards benefits and retirement. He noted that the problem was created by the local council themselves and asked the Ombudsman to help those who have already retired. He also noted that the Office of the Ombudsman need to do more in educating the population through various awareness raising programs.
The Ombudsman and team also paid a courtesy call on the Chairman Bo District Council Joseph Munda Bindi. The Ombudsman Leon Jenkins-Johnston explained the roles and functions of the Office of the Ombudsman. He noted that the office serves as a mediator between superiors and subordinate. He revealed that the President is determined to bring discipline in the public life. He asked for the continued support to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Responding the Chairman Bo District Council expressed thanks and revealed that the staff of the council are aware of the existence of the Office of the Ombudsman. He noted that they handle their staff in a humane way. He revealed that he had known about the existence of the office for over five years and because of that he treats his staff as is expected. He noted that we should treat ourselves as sierra leoneans and said that he will convey the message to all other councils as he is the president for all local councils. He ask the Ombudsman to look into the issue human resources especially the conditions of service for Mayors, Chairmen, Councilors as they are not paid but given sitting allowances and also no NASSIT contribution is being paid for them.
The Ombudsman and Team also paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Bo Kakua together with other chiefs. The Ombudsman Leon Jenkins-Johnson said that he is there to pay respect as tradition demands and to if them that the office is within their environs. He reiterated the president’s vision of reintroduction of public life. He noted that the office would not interfere into traditional matters but would look into matters are related to institutional injustice.
Responding, PC Prince Lappia Boima IV, thanked President Julius Maada Bio for appointing young people to take over the affairs of the country. He thanked the Ombudsman for fulfilling the traditional rights in his chiefdom and pledge his commitment to support the Office of the Ombudsman in Bo.
The Ombudsman and team also made a brief stop at the District Medical Officer and the Medical Superintendent at the Bo Government Hospital. The Ombudsman Leon Jenkins-Johnston explained the roles and functions of the Office of the Ombudsman. He maintained that the institutions is monitoring the hospitals to improve service delivery. He noted that patients should be treated fairly and in cases of discipline due processes should be followed.
Responding the District Medical officer Dr. Roland Carshon Marsh, thanked the Ombudsman and Team for the visit. He noted that the hospital is going through several challenges and ask the Ombudsman to help them in controlling some of the issues.
Dilating further, the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Roland Williamson-Taylor noted that they have a strong team but are faced with several challenges. He explained that the subvention from government is not sufficient and also do not come on time, salaries are not paid on time and people do not want to work in the provinces. He explained that over 200 people working in the region are not on salary since they were recruited in 2016.
Ombudsman Leon Jenkins-Johnston promised to look into the challenges and contact the relevant authorities.
