Office of the Public Protector has called on the general populace to utilize its services in ensuring that they receive the expected services from public institutions.
Zambia’s Public Protector also known as the Ombudsman, Caroline Sokoni disclosed that the Office has been in existence since 1974 to investigate individuals’ complaints against the public authority with an effort to deter misconduct in all public institutions.
Speaking when she launched the commemoration of the African Ombudsman month at her residence in Lusaka, Mrs Sokoni indicated that the office exists for the vulnerable in the country to enhance service provision.
“I am proud to announce the launch of the Ombudsman month not only in Zambia but the entire Africa. The office of the Ombudsman was established to assist ordinary people to be able to articulate complaints of maladministration against the government. As you well know it is almost impossible for a single individual to fight the bureaucratic machinery of government when one has a complaint and it is also difficult for individuals to engage lawyers to take matters to court,” Mrs Sokoni stated.
She disclosed that her Office assists ordinary individuals to bring out complaints against public institutions without incurring extra cost.
The Ombudsman explained that her office is completely independent as it only reports to the National assembly, hence urged citizens to express confidence in the Public Protector’s Office to ensure that all possible maladministration are curbed.
Mrs Sokoni was happy to state that through the Constitutional Amendment in 2015, her Office was transformed from an Executive Ombudsman Office to a Parliamentary Ombudsman Office indicating that it operates independently.
“In 2015, the Zambian Constitution was Amended and the Office Ombudsman was transformed from an Executive Ombudsman Office to a Parliamentary Ombudsman Office, and the name was transformed from that of the Investigator General to that of the Public Protector and we are hoping that as we go along will be able to even translate the name into local languages so that people understand it even more,” she added.
Mrs Sokoni assured that the Office has lined up activities to ensure that it has presence in all parts of the country in order for the people to own the office and also for easy access.
The Ombudsman however called on government to decentralize the institution country wide so that services are easily accessible.
Among other challenges, Mrs Sokoni requested government to assist the Ombudsman’s Office to attain its administrative independence so that the general public could have trust in its operations.
Ba Mrs Sokoni after all these years drawing a “free” salary that is when you decide to alert the public about the existence of the public protector …albeit after this you will go quiet again and to enjoying our taxes. You should have a moral obligation to us and continually put the PP office in public domain. Can you tell us which key cases you have helped with? Forest 27? Fire engines? Hazardous buildings? ANY twapapata mayo …in the west you could have resigned
Bana Sokoni, the Zambian public does not even need to come to your office for help. the ills are all over the public domain, just start doing your job if you have waken up now. Example: Chishimba Kambwili needs your help – go there. We need your help to know who gassed us – do the work.
Bana Sokoni, the Zambian public does not even need to come to your office for help. The ills are all over the public domain, just start doing your job if you have woken up now. Example: Chishimba Kambwili needs your help – go there. We need your help to know who gassed us – do the work.
Excellent developments all round
Zuma and the Guptas are just but one example of how the office of the public protecter’s office can work to protect the embezzlement of public funds and the corruption and theft that is so rampant in the current masquerades in Zambia. To me it is shocking that the so called called public protecter’ s office exist in Zambia. Where have they been when 48-51 houses mushroomed from some evil rains? Where have they been when the public lost $31.5m to useless used fire tenders alias wheel barrows? Where have they been when the public lost $17m to a non existent pharmaceutical company? Where were they when the public lost $10.6m to stupid ambulances? Surely this woman is a disgrace to the womanhood and should just keep her mouth shut. Shut up your mouth! As Nigerians will say.
Chishimba Kambwili is not the public