Hamilson Bulu, the Vanuatu Ombudsman, has acknowledged the Cooperation and Support Arrangement he recently signed with Peter Boshier, the Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand, will benefit his office.
A new three-year Arrangement agreed between the Ombudsman of New Zealand and Vanuatu will promote stronger international relationships and knowledge sharing between the two countries.
More New Caledonia domestic flights; Fiji eases curfew; Vanuatu Ombudsman found in breach of law; 90 percent of Fiji population fully vaccinated against Covid-19
Ombudsman, Hamlison Bulu, said 196 had submitted their returns but 445 public sector leaders had not.
Vanuatu Ombudsman, Hamilson Bulu
Photo: RNZ Pacific / Heather Maraki
He said if they did not submit their annual returns by 14 March their names would appear in the official gazette and then later in court.
Bulu said leaders would also be hit with a $US20,000 penalty if they didn t submit their returns on time with a further $185 added each day.
The Ombudsman appealed to all officials to respect the leadership code.
Leaders in provinces could submit their annual returns to the provincial headquarters.
This is the first year all annual returns must be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, after the law was changed last year.