Ombudsman returns to St. Eustatius and Saba

The representatives of the Nation­al Ombudsman will return to St. Eustatius and Saba once again. They will be on Statia on Monday, November 27, and on Tuesday, November 28, and on Saba on Wednesday af­ternoon, November 29, and Thursday, November 30.

The National Ombudsman is an independent institute that handles complaints about government. People may be at odds with, for example, the Dutch Caribbean Tax Authori­ties, the Police, Health Insurance Office ZVK or Dutch Government Service RCN.

Every year 35,000 people contact National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen. He has been appointed by the Dutch Parliament.

His representatives have arranged for consultation hours during which anyone in Saba and Statia may visit. During these hours, residents may inform the Ombudsman’s repre­sentatives about their experiences with government officials. “Let us know if you have experienced not being listened to or not having received an answer, or if you have not been approached in a respectful or confidence-inspiring matter. Together we will see what we can do for you. We will do our best to help you move forward,” the Ombudsman’s repre­sentatives said in a statement.

The consultation hours on Statia will be taking place at Gertrude Judson Bicentennial Public Library on Monday, November 27, from 2:00pm until 5:00pm.

The consultation hours in Saba will be taking place in Windwardside, opposite from the bank and post office on November 30, from 2:00pm until 5:00pm.

Outside of the consultation hours, residents of Statia and Saba may contact the National Ombudsman on tel. +31-70­356-3563 during work days until 12:00pm.

The Ombudsman’s office may also be reached by Skype or WhatsApp, or file a complaint on a digital complaint form, which may be found at www.nationaleombudsman.nl/ klacht-indienen/criteria.

The Daily Herald.