PHILIPSBURG--The country’s second ombudsman Gwendolien E. Mossel began her seven-year term in office on January 1. She succeeds retired Ombudsman Nilda Arduin who demitted office with an honourable discharge on December 31, 2018.
Mossel, the second woman to hold the post, took the oath of office before Parliament Chairwoman Sarah Wescot-Williams on December 14, 2018, just before Parliament went on its Christmas recess.
Mossel’s term in office is regulated by law. She was unanimously approved for the post by Parliament on November 7, 2018. The duties of the Ombudsman include investigating, on request or of her own accord, actions taken by government or its entities.
The Ombudsman, who forms part of the 3 high councils of state, is the only one to take the oath of office before the head of Parliament. The heads of the Council of Advice and General Audit Chamber take the oath before the governor.
