The Ombudsman Commission welcomes the appointment of Ombudsman Richard Pagen as the Acting Chief Ombudsman.
Ombudsman Pagen fills the position left vacant by former Chief Ombudsman Michael Dick whose service came to end when he reached the retirement age of 55 on 4th October 2019.
The appointment was made by the Ombudsman Appointments Committee in accordance with Section 217 of the Constitution and Section 11 of the Organic Law on the Ombudsman Commission and takes effect on 5th October 2019 until a substantive appointment is made.
Ombudsman Richard Pagen has a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Papua New Guinea and an Honours Degree from the University of Tasmania, Australia.
Prior to joining the Ombudsman Commission in 1999, Ombudsman Pagen has served as a Geologist with Minorco Exploration Ltd based in Port Moresby, CRA Exploration in Australia and Anglo America Mining Exploration based in Mt. Hagen; an Interim Director, National Anti-Corruption Alliance (NACA), now commonly known as Task Force Sweep, Director of the Ombudsman Commission Leadership Division and an Ombudsman.
Ombudsman Pagen has had vast prior experiences in both the public and private sector employments. And he comes from Laiagam District in the Enga Province.
He has served this nation and that department for more than 20 years and with vast experience he has a lot to impart to the nation. By this time he will be in better position distinguish what to do, where to improve and what not to do.
Congratulation and may the good lord lead him in this very important office.