Ombudsman Arlene Brock has moved to correct a claim in Tuesday 14 March edition in which Bermuda Cement Company boss Jim Butterfield stated: ?The company has complained to the Ombudsman about the situation but has had no response?.

Ms. Brock said the sentence was ?absolutely untrue?, that she had made a ?considerable response? but obviously, it would be ?most improper? for her to discuss anything more in the media.

Mr. Butterfield later explained he had visited the Ombudsman?s office last year but had then withdrawn the complaint about Government?s handling of BCC?s lease renewal application at Dockyard although he might lodge it again after getting no response. The Ombudsman?s office was set up last year to investigate complaints against the Government and its services.

The Ombudsman assured the public that every complaint is responded to ? by a face-to-face meeting in 99 percent of the cases and then followed up by a written acknowledgement ? usually within one to three weeks depending on the complexity.

Even when a complaint is not within the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman, all efforts are made to give helpful advice.