Roadtown, Tortola - It gives me enormous pleasure to welcome you all to this ceremony marking, for the first time in the BVI, the appointment to the Constitutional position of Complaints Commissioner.  This is indeed a very significant moment in the progressive development of the key institutions of government in the BVI.  A healthy democracy lives or dies by the strength of its institutions.  We all of  us in positions of influence and authority share a responsibility to build and safeguard the already existing institutions of governance in the BVI so as to maintain the public’s confidence in them, and to protect the people’s interests and the delicate checks and balances that together guarantee good governance.

From time to time we have the opportunity to add to these institutions for the betterment of the overall quality of government in this Territory.  One such opportunity arose last year with the appointment of the Registrar of Interests.  Today marks another such occasion.

The Complaints Commissioner, sometimes called the Ombudsman, offers to the public a channel for raising complaints about maladministration in the public service and statutory bodies. Clearly some mechanisms already exist for registering such complaints through the media, elected representatives or direct to the department in question.  But other countries have found that an Ombudsman, with his powers to investigate complaints thoroughly and independently, offers an unparalleled ability to get to the heart of any shortcomings within the public sector.  I am confident therefore, in the BVI context, that the creation of this position will raise the standards of governance, administration and service provision in the BVI.

But the power of the post to effect improvement in the public sector is quite clearly only as great as the experience and ability of the post holder. With that in mind I am delighted that someone of the stature Elton Georges has agree to take up the challenge of the BVI’s first Complaints Commissioner.  I feel very confident that the post is in safe hands.  I can think of few people who share Elton Georges’ in depth knowledge of the BVI government systems or his determination to get to the heart of problems as they occur.  I have been lucky indeed to work very closely with Elton Georges in my time in the British Virgin Islands and from that experience I feel sure that he will fulfil his mandate as Complaints Commissioner magnificently.  Elton I congratulate you on gaining this appointment and thank you for accepting the challenge.

Some here may wonder why the appointment is being made now.  After all the position has been written into the BVI Constitution since 2000.  Perhaps I might briefly explain.  First there was the need to establish the law which the constitution says should define in detail the “functions and jurisdiction” of the Complaints Commissioner. 

This was done with the passing into law of the Complaints Commissioner Act of 2003.  At that point the search for a Commissioner began, with the need always in mind to identify an individual agreeable to all parts of the BVI political spectrum.  I believe I am right in saying that the position has been advertised three times in the intervening years most recently in November last year.  On each earlier occasion the trawl either failed to identify an individual with the necessary qualities or someone who was available at the time.  On this the third occasion we have, if I might say, come up trumps and I am excited and delighted to be able to bring to fruition an idea that has been an ambition and goal in the BVI for more than a decade. 

Finally let me say something briefly about the key roles of the Complaints Commissioner.  For those with a deeper interest these can be found spelled out in more detail in the 2003 law.  But our hope is that the Commissioner will perform the following key functions:

o to consider complaints relating to maladministration by a department of government or public authority by conducting independent and impartial investigations;

o to report on the complaints considered, including a summary of how they have been resolved, the Commissioner’s findings and the recommendations made;

o to appoint mediators where necessary to help resolve disputes;

o to promote public awareness of the role of the Complaints Commissioner; and

o to encourage all public officers and public authorities to respond constructively and helpfully to complaints made directly to them.

Let me say once again how proud and glad I am to be able to preside at this important occasion.  We are witnessing today a further maturing and development of the BVI’s government institutions.  I firmly believe that, as a consequence, the BVI will be a better place, with the people better able to redress any wrongs done to them by the public sector.  I wish Elton Georges every possible success in the fulfilment of this important mandate.  He will not I feel certain be daunted by the weight of public expectation.  And let me finally thank you all for attending.