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OMBUDSMAN ENGAGES THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY

As he continues raising awareness and paying courtesy calls on MDAs, the Ombudsman Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah Esq. visited the Management of the Environment Protection Agency (E.P.A) in their newly occupied Offices at Wilberforce.

The Ombudsman and Team were received by the Director, Environmental Health and Safety Mr. Mobash Idriss and other Management Staff of the EPA.

During his presentation, the Ombudsman stated that the object of his visit is to build partnerships with sister Institutions and also continue to raise awareness about the mandate and functions of his Office. He noted that some Institutions views the Ombudsman as an intruder into their administration. He further noted that the Ombudsman's Office ensures that Institutions deliver on their mandate by holding people accountable for their administrative actions.

OMBUDSMAN ENGAGES THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY

He remarked that his office is charged with receiving and investigating complaints from members of the public and public sector workers who have suffered injustice as a result of maladministration.

He further stated that the Ombudsman is the administrative watch dog for all MDAs.

Interacting with the Ombudsman and Team, the Director, Environmental Health Safety, Mr. Mobash Idriss stated that their Offices has its human resource Manual which prescribes the do's and don’t s of their Institution. He further noted that they have a service charter which directs their actions and that the Environment Protection Agency is currently working on its Grievance Redress Mechanisms to address complaints from members of the public.

Other members of staff made significant contributions during the meeting.

Communication Dept.
Office of the Ombudsman
076-945-926

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OMBUDSMAN AND TEAM PAY COURTESY CALL ON THE HONORABLE VICE PRESIDENT DR. MOHAMED JULDEH JALLOH

Freetown, Sierra Leone
Thursday 5th September 2024

In ensuring that the message on Administrative Justice and Accountability reaches every sector of the society, the Ombudsman Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah Esq and Team paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh at his office at Tower Hill in Freetown.

In briefing the Vice President about the purpose of their visit, the Ombudsman spoke on the mandate of his office citing the relevant sections of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone and the Ombudsman Act of 1997.

He further informed the Vice President that his office serves as a bridge between the Government and the citizenry in that, it is a national grievance redress Institution to which citizens can complain whenever they have been aggrieved by the administrative actions or inactions of government officials/Institutions. The Ombudsman is mandated to investigate these complaints and resolve them by firstly utilising Alternative Dispute Resolution processes like negotiations, mediation and conciliation. On failure of these mechanisms, the Ombudsman can launch full blown investigations to resolve disputes.

Ombudsman VP

The Ombudsman continued that the mandate of his Office aligns with the national Mid Term Development Plan and one of the manifesto promises of the Government, which is revamping the Public Service Architecture.

The Ombudsman further mentioned that his Office is not only a good governance Institution, but it's also a quasi-human rights and judicial Institution which seeks for the improvement of administrative accountability within Government Institutions.

He maintained that the interventions of his Office in disputes do not only remedy and correct administrative wrongs but also reverse administrative actions/ decisions that cause hardships, detriments or grievances occasioned by MDAs including the Police, Correctional Service, Institutions of higher learning or education and other Institutions that are partly or fully funded by the Government.

Ombudsman Jah requested for political will and support from the Government to ensure the expansion of the Office, protection from reprisals and that the recommendations of the Ombudsman are fully implemented. He appealed to the Vice President as Chair of the Police Council and Correctional Service to ensure that recommendations of the Ombudsman on complaints against the Police and the Correctional Service are fully implemented and adhered to.

In response, the Honourable Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh thanked the Ombudsman and Team for the update on the activities of the Office and spoke about the huge task ahead for the Office. The Vice President pledged his support to the Office of the Ombudsman and further promised to advocate for more budgetary support and vehicles for the Ombudsman's Office taking into consideration the enormity of their mandate.

He further advised that the Office embarks on more sensitisation in the Provinces so that more people will benefit from the services of the Ombudsman. He promised to pay a work visit to the Ombudsman's Office in the coming days.

Communication Dept
Office of the Ombudsman
076-945-926

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Ombudsman Encourages Paramount Chiefs To  Uphold Justice And Good Governance

Moyamba, Southern Province
Saturday 14th September 2024

In his campaign to promote and strengthen administrative justice, accountability and good governance in Sierra Leone, the Ombudsman Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah Esq called on Paramount Chiefs in the Southern Region to uphold justice, accountability and good governance within their Districts, Chiefdoms and localities. He made this statement whilst addressing Paramount Chiefs, District Chairpersons, Mayors and other galaxy of eminent people and government functionaries at the Human Capital Development Advocacy Meeting held at the Moyamba District Council Hall.

The Ombudsman further acknowledges the important roles our revered Paramount Chiefs play to enhance good governance and promote justice, accountability and peace in the administration of their Chiefdoms.

Ombudsman with the Paramount Chief

He also pointed out that as Paramount Chiefs, they can also bring complaints to his Office where they suffer injustice or maladministration as a result of the decisions/actions or omissions of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs in just the same way that their subjects or businesses in Chiefdoms can also file complaints with the Ombudsman whenever they're aggrieved by the actions of the Chiefs.

The Ombudsman cited complaints of injustices against the people including but not limited to flagging disputed lands for excessively long periods thereby depriving the rightful owners of enjoyment of their lands, long delays in the delivery of judgements/ decisions of local courts or withholding them. Imposition of excessive fines on people causing them to run away from their towns/Chiefdoms, surface rent issues, etc.

Whilst appreciating the Ombudsman and Team, the Chairman of the Council of Paramount Chiefs, Southern Region, Hon. P.C Prince Lappia Boima, thanked the Ombudsman and Team for the enlightenment on the work of the Office of the Ombudsman. He noted that such messages from the Ombudsman should trickle down to the people at district, Chiefdom and village levels thus ensuring that good governance and justice are delivered at the doorsteps of the people.

Communication Dept.
Office of the Ombudsman
076-945-926

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