A new Ombudsman for Solomon Islands was sworn in at Government House on the morning of 14 October, the Government Communication Unit said. Mr Dick Stanley Pirione took his Oaths of Office and Allegiance before His Excellency the Governor General, Sir David Tiva Kapu.
The post had been vacant since the death earlier this year of the previous Ombudsman, Mr Fred Fakarii, the unit said.
Mr Pirione has 25 years in the SIG Public Service, 17 of them at executive level, and has held the post of Permanent Secretary, according to the unit.
After the ceremony the Governor General congratulated Mr Pirione and said he should do the job with "impartiality, integrity and independence", as the Constitution requires.
The unit said the Ombudsman's office is set up under Chapter IX of the Constitution of Solomon Islands and works independently on good governance, fairness and accountability in the public service.
It investigates complaints against public officials and Government agencies, among them maladministration, abuse of power, unfair treatment, corruption and discriminatory practices, and reports its findings and recommendations to Parliament, the Prime Minister and relevant authorities.
The Government congratulated Mr Pirione on his appointment and wished him well in the role, the unit said.
Source: Drawn from "New Ombudsman Sworn-In to Office", issued by the Government Communication Unit on the Solomon Islands Government portal on 14 October 2026. https://solomons.gov.sb/new-ombudsman-sworn-in-to-office/