Ombudsman’s Office “At the Bottom” of GOB’s Budget Priorities

And tonight, as we continue examining how effective Belize’s oversight bodies really are, we hear from someone who once led one of them. Former Ombudsman, Retired Major Gilbert Swaso, says the office sits near the bottom of government’s annual budget, but the law does allow the Ombudsman to request additional funding. The concern, he says, is what happens after that request is made. Swaso argues that extra funding is often approved only when it fits government’s own priorities, and that, he warns, can weaken the independence of investigations meant to hold the system accountable.

 

Major Gilbert Swaso (Ret’d), Former Ombudsman

“There are severe constraints, however you may be aware, that the Ombudsman Act makes provision for the Ombudsman in this case in particular to make submission to request for additional funds, if an when needed, as it relates to the investigation of cases. The challenge is not necessarily the request, because we can make the request. There are occasions when you make that request and that submission would fall on deaf ears. So, that is where the challenge lies. As I indicated earlier, the Ombudsman Act makes provision for the Ombudsman to make requests for additional resources or finance when needed. But in my experience, there have been occasions when those requests fall on deaf ear. So that is where the problem and challenges are. So in terms of the independence of the office, while the act and the constitution states that you take no direction from any executive authority, there is that need to get the support from the Ministry of Finance, whether through the Financial Secretary or through the National Assembly. That is not their focus. Your focus is not their focus. And that is where the challenge lies.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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