MEDIA RELEASE
On 4 October 2023 the Ombudsman Appointments Committee (OAC) had in accordance with the requirements under Section 217(1) and (2) of the Constitution and Sections 4(3) and 11(a) of the Organic Law on the Ombudsman Commission appointed Mr Joseph Molita as an Acting Ombudsman.
Mr Molita first joined the Ombudsman Commission on 26 November 1992 as an Investigator and continued serving the Commission thereafter occupying various senior positions within the Commission including Regional Manager and Director of the Complaints and Administrative Investigations Division and as the Secretary to the Ombudsman Commission on 4 June 2014 a position which he held unit his recent elevation.
Mr Molita hails from Buin in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and he served the Ombudsman Commission and the people of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea for a period of 35 years including his prior service in the National Public Service.
He was sworn in at the Government House by His Excellency the Acting Governor General of Papua New Guinea the Honorable Job Pomat.
This appointment marks a significant development for the Ombudsman Commission, as Mr. Molita fills a position that has been left vacant for almost three (3) years. His appointment fulfils the requirement under Section 217(1) of the Constitution which states that there shall be an Ombudsman Commission consisting of a Chief Ombudsman and two Ombudsmen.
The Ombudsman Commission now has a full composition which comprises Mr Richard Pagen as Chief Ombudsman, Mr Kevin Kepore as Ombudsman with professional accountancy qualifications and experience and Mr Joseph Molita as the Ombudsman with administrative qualifications and experience.
Chief Ombudsman Pagen and Ombudsman Kepore in welcoming Mr Molita’s appointment expressed confidence that his wealth of professional experience will significantly contribute to the fulfilment of the Commission’s constitutional mandate conferred by the Constitution, the Organic Law on the Ombudsman Commission and the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership.
The Ombudsman Commission welcomes Mr Joseph Molita to his new role and looks forward to his continued and dedicated service in the Commission in ensuring good governance and quality leadership in Papua New Guinea.
END….
Aproved by Members of the Commission
