Legal aid office to be opened at Buka

By Tom Kathoa

The problem of people seeking legal aid in Bougainville will now become a thing of the past, thanks to the establishment of a new office in the region.

State Solicitor, Frazer Pitpit, and Chief Ombudsman Commissioner, Cronex Manek, told ABG President James Tanis and Vice President Ezekiel Masat of their intention to open up branches in the autonomous province.

Mr Pitpit produced a copy of his department’s structure showing the inclusion of an office at Buka, which will be staffed by six officers and funded by his department.

Meanwhile, the Ombudsman Commission is also looking for office space. Ombudsman Manek said he had fruitful discussions on the matter.

The two senior legal officers said it is the right of the people to be provided with legal help. The people had been denied the right to legal representation by the non-availability of such offices.