After five years in office, the Ombudsman, Mr Fredrick Leve Fakarii’s term expired on 2nd May 2022. Mr. Fakarii served as the 7th Ombudsman of Solomon Islands since the office’s inception on July 1st 1981.
He was appointed as the 7th Solomon Islands Ombudsman on 2nd May 2017 by the then Governor General Sir Frank Utu Ofagioro Kabui, GCMG, CSI, OBE KStJ. The Ombudsman post is a constitutional one.
Mr. Fakarii’s term in office has had its shares of challenges and successes. Among these are the global impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. He has boldly managed the office well during the pandemic to ensure the office continue to deliver its service to the public. His leadership acumen is commendable.
Mr. Fakarii came in with more than 30 years of service to the government and people of Solomon Islands. His years of experience working with various government ministries and departments has contributed a lot to his successful leadership of the office as the Ombudsman. These are accounted for through various leadership initiatives and achievements by the office during his tenure.
A number of key achievements were made during Mr Fredrick Fakarii’s term in office. He was the first Ombudsman to implement the then newly enacted Ombudsman Act 2017. A number of programs were initiated to educate the public about the new Act. Awareness programs were aimed at Schools, Government ministries, provincial government and then, the general public through weekly radio programs. In line with the new Ombudsman Act, Mr Fakarii, initiated the organisational restructure of the Office, to cater for respective clauses in the Ombudsman Act. A morale booster for most of the staff who had endue a rigid office structure under the old Act.
Not to be left behind in the digital ages, Mr Fakarii ensures the office setup its’ own website. This initiative aimed at ensuring broader accessibility of information and services of the Ombudsman to the public. The office website since inception has recorded influx of visitors on monthly bases.
Mr. Fakarii was diligent and thorough in the discharge of his duties—from assessment, investigation and disposing of complaints. He ensures that the office continue to perform its work within the bounds of law.
The manner in which Mr. Fakarii work with his regional stakeholders was also exemplary. With support from the Commonwealth Ombudsman of Australia and the New Zealand Ombudsman his staff members were provided the opportunity to attend important trainings, workshops and webinars. These programs were instrumental in the capacity building program of the Ombudsman office.
The legacy left behind by Mr. Fakarii was quite unmatched. His working relationship with his officers whether official or not, is an open door approach, whereby issues concerning the office or staff were freely discussed one on one or through staff meeting.
The office wishes to thank him for his dedicated service to the office and to the people of Solomon Islands.
Staff of the Ombudsman’s office posing with the outgoing Ombudsman Mr. Fredrick Leve Fakarii. Farewell Dinner, Mendana Hotel, 8th June 2022.