The Office of the Ombudsman today announced the relocation of its branch office in Scarborough, Tobago, effective June 1, 2009.

The new location, in the Caribana Building, Bacolet Street, Scarborough, will provide clients with more spacious surroundings and a superior ambience, a release said.

The office's contact information remains the same: telephone 639-1302; fax 639-1303 and e-mail tgoregion@ombudsman.gov.tt

To facilitate the move to the new location, the existing office will be closed to the public on Thursday 28th and Friday 29th May.

Members of the public are asked to take note.

As part of its ongoing efforts to keep abreast of universal best practice, Trinidad and Tobago’s Office of the Ombudsman will host a 3-day international seminar on Advanced Investigative Methods from March 23-25, 2009.

The seminar will feature modules on Case Assessment, Issue Identification and Carrying Out Systemic Investigations. Participants to benefit from the exercise include investigative and technical staff from Ombudsman offices in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts/Nevis, Curaçao and Belize.

The programme will be delivered by André Marin (left), Ombudsman of Ontario, Canada, and Gareth Jones, Director of the Special Ombudsman Response Team at the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario.

The Ombudsman of Ontario is an Officer of the Provincial Legislature who is independent of government and political parties. The Ombudsman’s job is to ensure government accountability through effective oversight of the administration of Government services.

The Ombudsman is appointed for a five-year renewable term and his powers and authorities are contained in legislation under the Ombudsman Act.

Lynette Stephenson, S.C., swore the Oath of Office as Ombudsman of Trinidad and Tobago before the Speaker of the House of Representatives Barendra Sinanan last Thursday for a second term. Stephenson will serve as Ombudsman for a three year term.

Lynette Anthea Stephenson, S.C. is Trinidad and Tobago's third Ombudsman, having been sworn in for the first time on February 20, 2006.

She has had a long and distinguished career in the public service of Trinidad & Tobago, having served, between 1976 and 1996, in several legal capacities from Temporary State Counsel II to Deputy Solicitor General.

She was appointed Solicitor General in 1996.

She has also held directorships on the boards of state-owned companies including National Fisheries Company Ltd., Trinidad and Tobago Meat Processors Ltd. and the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd.

In addition, Stephenson has served as a member of key Cabinet-appointed committees, including the Standing Committee on Negotiation of Bilateral Air Services Agreements, the Trinidad and Tobago Steering Committee on the Unitization of Cross-border Hydrocarbon Reservoirs and as a member of the Team to negotiate a new Shareholders Agreement between Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago and Cable and Wireless West Indies.

Stephenson attained the status of Senior Counsel in November 2000. She believes the Office of the Ombudsman is vital "because it gives people the reassurance that someone in authority is seeking their interest."