The Office of the Complaints Commissioner (Ombudsman) of the Turks and Caicos Islands, in partnership with their Regional Organization, the Caribbean Ombudsman Association (CAROA), hosted Symposiums in Grand Turk on March 27, 2023, at the Anglican Church, Dillon Hall, and on March 28, 2023, at the Jericho Baptist Church Youth Center, Lower Bight, Providenciales, under the theme: "THE ROLE OF THE OMBUDSMAN AND ITS ROLE IN SOCIETY."
As members of CAROA, the organization assisted the Office of the Complaints Commissioner by sending facilitators to host the Symposiums. Mrs. Gwendolien Mossel, who is the Ombudsman of Sint Maarten and the President of CAROA been appointed for the next 7 years, and Mr. Randolf Duggins, who is the Secretary General of the Ombudsman of Sint Maarten.
The goal of these symposiums was to provide technical cooperation to help people understand the role of the Office of the Complaints Commissioner in the Turks and Caicos Community and to raise awareness of that role.
The Office of the Complaints Commissioner (Ombudsman) of the Turks and Caicos Islands is located at Tony Clark’s Building at Waterloo Road, Grand Turk. The office is regulated in accordance with the Complaints Commissioner (Ombudsman) Ordinance of 1987. The ordinance was established to make provision for the appointment and function of a complaints commission, which is essentially an independent authority.
The Complaints Commission’s Office was set up in 1994, since then, there have been six (6) Complaints Commissioners, including our current Commissioner, Mrs. Rita Gardiner, OBE, who took office in November 2022. In addition to the commissioner, her team has three officers: Ms. Willet Pratt, the Senior Investigative Officer, Ms. Samadia Lightbourne, the Investigative Officer, and Mrs. Shalandra Smith, the Administrative Officer.
The mission statement for the Office of the Complaints Commissioner is: "The Office of the Complaints Commissioner (Ombudsman) of the Turks and Caicos Islands which seeks to investigate complaints of maladministration by government departments and statutory bodies as stated in the ordinance, promote effectiveness and efficiency in the services provided to the community, educate people about their rights and duties in a free and democratic society, and provide a service."
The goal of the Complaints Commission is to bring more awareness to the public through education and public forums. To do this, the commission is working on a number of projects, such as the art and poster competition that took place in February 2023 and workshops and symposiums like this one. Also, it's important for the public to know that the Ombudsman is a small-man's institution because his hearings are informal, quick, and free and there is no fee for filing a complaint, nor is an attorney at law required.
In closing, Mrs. Rita Gardiner, OBE (Ombudsman), stated that she was pleasantly surprised to see so many participants from a cross-section of government departments and statutory bodies, and she expressed a big 'thank you' to all in attendance. At both sessions on Grand Turk and Providenciales, which were said to be both informative and educational.
Special thanks to the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Mrs. Anya Williams, for taking time out of her extremely busy schedule to visit the symposium on the island of Providenciales.
The Complaints Commissioner wishes to thank Mrs. Sadie Jean Williams, the first female and the third Complaints Commissioner, for being in attendance at the Grand Turk Symposium. She adds that our history is an imperative part of our existences and that Mrs. Williams played a vital role in the initial start of the organization, and for that we are grateful.
A special thanks to Ms. Imterniza McCartney, Public Education Officer from The Integrity Commission, for chairing the symposium on the island of Grand Turk, and Ms. Oshin Whyte, Executive Officer and Environment Policy Lead, for chairing the symposium on the island of Providenciales.
The Complaints Commissioner and her staff would like to thank all those who came out and supported these important symposiums, thanks to the heads of departments who allowed their staff to attend. They were grateful for all the support and help during those events, and look forward to the continued support.