The Ombudsman Commission is aware that several Provincial Administrators, Provincial Administration Staff; the Chief Executive Officers of the District Development Authorities, their staff and the District Administration Staff have been operating outside the designated locations or in Port Moresby. Operating outside the designated location is improper as there are legally defined administrative boundaries within which these Public Servants must serve.
This practice not only disrupts effective service delivery to the respective Provinces and Districts but it also undermines the principles of good governance, accountability and transparency.
The Ombudsman Commission hereby directs all Provincial Administrators, the Provincial Administration Staff, the District Chief Executive Officers and their Staff who are operating outside the designated locations to immediately relocate to their designated locations within one month from the date of this notice.
It is imperative for all relevant Provincial Administrators, the Provincial Administration Staff, the Chief Executive Officers of the District Development Authorities, and the District Administration Staff to take note and cooperate with the Ombudsman Commission by relocating to their designated locations.
As leaders, the Provincial Administrators and the Chief Executive Officers of the District Development Authorities are required under Section 23 of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership to co-operate with the Ombudsman Commission.
For the Provincial, District Development Authority and District Administration Staff, you are persons to whom the National Goals and Directive Principles and the Basic Social Obligations apply and you have a duty to act in the spirit of the Constitution by giving effect to the National Goals and Directive Principles.
You are therefore encouraged to comply with the Basic Social Obligations as far as it is within your respective powers to relocate immediately and perform your duties in the Provinces and Districts.
Should you fail to comply with this Directive, you may be subject to enforcement proceedings in the National Court under Section 23 of the Constitution.
The Ombudsman Commission therefore calls for co-operation and adherence to this directive and urges all relevant Provincial and District Administrations to take immediate action in moving to the designated locations for the benefit of the people of Papua New Guinea.
APPROVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION