Arrindell receives Ombudsman handbook from Arduin.

The handbook which will be updated on an annual basis comprises of established guidelines for the bureau; work procedures; tasks of the ombudsman; formation plan; a compilation of all main documents that guide the Ombudsman bureau; 10-year strategic plan; budget of the ombudsman bureau; communications plan; case investigation and complaints processes; standards of proper conduct of the ombudsman; and the code of conduct for civil servants.

Ombudsman Nilda Arduin said the handbook served two objectives, firstly, it gives direction for the office, and secondly, it acts as an archive where you can trace the establishment of the bureau as a new high council of state.

Arduin added that the handbook demonstrates transparency of this particular high council of state and a copy will be presented to the Philipsburg Jubilee Library for public perusal.

President Arrindell highly commended Arduin for her hard work since the inception of the bureau and added that she is very confident that the Ombudsman will reach the goals set out in its planning documents for 2012 and for the future.

"I admire the manner you have approached your work. We all had to build our respective democratic institutions from the ground up when we achieved country status and the same thing can be said for Parliament.

"I am very impressed with the handbook and I know the bureau will not become a toothless tiger as it is one of the key institutions of our democracy," President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell said on Tuesday.

The Ombudsman handbook will be placed in the archives of Parliament for Members of Parliament (MPs) to peruse at their own leisure.

During the presentation on Tuesday morning, Nilda Arduin enthusiastically welcomed the proposal by the President of Parliament to have a yearly presentation to Parliament starting in 2012. The exact date will be coordinated and made known soonest to all concerned entities.