Next week representatives of the National ombudsman will have consulting hours on Saba and St. Eustatius. On Saba from 9 until 11 December, on St. Eustatius from 9 until 12 December.
Citizens can consult with the National ombudsman about complaints regarding the local government or local authorities. Stefan Pfeifer and Armin Dorn for Saba, and Ina Samaniri and Gaby von Maltzahn for St. Eustatius, will accommodate you at different locations and times during their office hours. Consulting with the National ombudsman is free of charge.
The ombudsman will listen to all your grievances. Is the government listening to you? Are your letters being answered? Do you receive the information you requested? Are local authorities treating you with respect and honesty and can you rely on them?
The National ombudsman investigates good governance, and checks if local authorities are transparent, respectful, engaged, honest and reliable and if they actively try to find solutions for any issues that may arise. These criteria have been recorded in a code of conduct for the government which, inter alia, focuses on basic rights. These rights include anti-discrimination rules and protection of citizens’ privacy.
The National ombudsman, instated in The Netherlands in 1982, is an impartial body that investigates questions about good governance on request or on its own initiative. Alex Brenninkmeijer has been the ombudsman since 1982. His offices in The Hague deal with complaints about the Kingdom, provinces, local councils, public bodies, police, RCN and the Tax Office. Worldwide, there are about 80 countries that have an institute similar to that of ombudsman.
Consulting Hours on Saba:
Walk-in:
Monday December 9, from 16:00-18:00, The Bottom: Saba Roads & Construction Company Building
Tuesday, December 10, from 10:00-12:00, Windwardside: Child Focus Foundation (Honeybee Building)
By appointment:
from 9-11 December (please call 416 9006 – mobile)
Consulting Hours on St. Eustatius:
Walk-in:
Tuesday, December 10
From 18.00 – 21.00
Public Library St. Eustatius/ Fort Oranjestraat
Wednesday, December 11
From: 18.00-21.00
Public Library St. Eustatius/ Fort Oranjestraat
By appointment:
from 9-12 December
Contact i.samaniri@nationaleombudsman.nl or g.vonmaltzahn@nationaleombudsman.nl
Tuesday, December 10From 18.00 – 21.00Public Library St. Eustatius/ Fort Oranjestraat
And watch Statianews for extra consultation hours during the day!
See www.nationaleombudsman.nl/bes for more information.