FORMER High Court Judge Winston Moore was sworn in, yesterday, as Ombudsman.

He filled the position that had been vacant for the last eight years and President Donald Ramotar, before whom he took the oath of office, committed the support of the current Administration.
At the ceremony in the Office of the President, the Head of State told Justice Moore: “You will have the full support of the Government in the discharge of your duties.”
Mr. Ramotar acknowledged the constitutional requirement in the appointment and added that the Government is working to fill other similar vacancies.
“The public should take advantage of the fact that we have an Ombudsman and take issues that fall within his remit, so we have those issues resolved,” the President urged.
In his first public statement as Ombudsman, Mr. Moore referred to the pervading misgivings surrounding the functioning of his office, at the Brickdam Chambers.
He made it clear that adequate resources are at his disposal to function in the new capacity.
No misgivings
“I have no qualms or misgivings about staff or resources,” he assured.
Mr. Moore revealed that when he was asked to consider the position, he met with the Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford, to address the staffing and other requirements to ensure the efficient functioning.
According to him, those matters were further discussed with a Senior Personnel Officer within the ministry, a meeting that was followed by his submission of a list of what was required for the Office.
He disclosed that staffers were given the option to leave or stay on.
“Some of them chose to stay on,” said the new Ombudsman, who was optimistic about the move forward.
Also present at the swearing-in ceremony were members of the Moore family, as well as Leader of the Opposition, Mr. David Granger.
The Ombudsman is charged with representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or violation of rights.
Opposition Leader Granger said the Office of the Ombudsman is still as important as it was at the time of the country’s independence.
“We have expressed dismay that, since the death of Justice S.Y. Mohammed, the position has not been filled,” Granger had said previously.
The Office of the President announced the appointment of Mr. Moore, last December. He had been in private practice since retiring from the Judiciary.

(by Vanessa Narine)