Africa-Press – Angola. The role of the Ombudsman as defender of the rights of workers and citizens, in general, was debated, this Thursday, in the informal market of Quissala, “known as Germany”, on the outskirts of the city of Huambo.
The event, guided by the Ombudsman, Florbela Araújo, was attended by dozens of sellers and buyers from the largest open-air market in this region of the country’s Central Highlands.
Created in 2006, when Germany hosted the football world cup, in which Angola participated for the first time, the “Germany” market, with an area of 110 hectares, registers a daily movement of more than 15 thousand people, of which eight thousand sellers.
On the occasion, Florbela Araújo informed that the Justice Ombudsman oversees the defense, advocacy and guarantee of citizens’ rights, from access to health, education, land, retirement pension, among others, in the event of non-compliance or litigation.
It is up to the Ombudsman, he added, to mediate with the competent authorities to safeguard the rights of citizens, and in the case of informal markets it applies to the fulfillment of fees charged to sellers, as stipulated by the public administration, as well as the creation of accommodation conditions and improvement of access and security routes.
Therefore, it encouraged the culture of reporting cases of injustice, such as land conflicts, corruption in the charging of market fees, among others, to the Ombudsman’s Office, individually, collectively or by the focal point.
He said it was free work and no lawyer was required.
Listening to sellers
After the debate, the Justice Ombudsman, Florbela Araújo, consulted the vendors at the market in question, who filed complaints about cases of corruption in the collection of fees and disrespect for women by inspectors.
Angélica Mercedes, a salesperson for over 14 years, denounced the abuse of inspectors towards women and defended a greater investment by the Angolan Executive in the agricultural sector and the country’s industrialization, as a way of reducing imports.
Aurélio Kalunhe, another seller at the market for 11 years, predicted the improvement of supervision and security in the market, as well as the right to equal treatment of citizens before the justice services.
He also highlighted the need for equal access to employment, education, health and food.
In response, the Ombudsman, Florbela Araújo, condemned the inspectors’ abuse of women and promised to advocate and forward citizens’ complaints to the competent authorities for better treatment and resolution.
He requested greater attention from the Administration of the municipality of Huambo to the Quissala market, taking into account its importance in commerce in the region and in guaranteeing the subsistence of many families.
He highlighted the improvement of access roads, the organization of commerce and coverings of sales areas, combating violence against women as one of the concerns, the resolution of which contributes to guaranteeing citizens’ rights and their health.
Before going to the Quissala market, Florbela Araújo visited the Ombudsman’s Office facilities in the province of Huambo.
The Ombudsman is an independent public entity whose mission is to defend the rights, freedoms and guarantees of citizens, ensuring, through informal means, justice and the legality of public administration activities.
He is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly (AN), by deliberation of the absolute majority of deputies in full office and takes office before the President of Parliament, in plenary.
angop
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