By GINNAH MINI
THE Office of the Public Solicitor (OPS) has presented its 2025 Annual Report to the Governor-General, detailing its operations and recommending improvements to strengthen the office’s services.
Public Solicitor Leslie Mamu presented the report and emphasised that one of the key recommendations the OPS makes every year is for the Government to increase funding for the office.
“Apart from the recommendation to increase funding, we have migrated our office from the Public Service payroll structure, from Grade 20 to Grade 14, and that also requires a continuous increase in funding,” Mr Mamu said.
Mr Mamu said the OPS has an ageing fleet of vehicles across the country and needs Parliament to assist through the national budget to replace the old vehicles for the safety of its lawyers.
“Our lawyers are on the front line. Their safety and welfare are key priorities and remain the focus of management,” he said.
“The Government has assisted us over the years by providing funding for housing for our lawyers because many of them live in settlements.”
Mr Mamu added that lawyers are in the business of solving problems and should not have problems of their own before helping people with legal issues.
He said lawyers should be properly looked after so they can effectively provide legal services to those who need assistance.
Mr Mamu noted that the OPS represents people charged with criminal offences in court and also provides legal assistance in civil matters.
“The report covers our human resources, the manpower we have, as well as the funding we receive from the Government,” he said.
Mr Mamu said that as the country’s population continues to grow each year, disputes and crime also increase. He said this is why the OPS uses data and statistics to make recommendations to Parliament on improving the office and its services.
The OPS presented the annual report to the Governor-General, who will forward it to the Speaker of Parliament for tabling in Parliament.