Eleven Civil Servants Terminated, 8 Dismissed

Muhammad Bah The Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Mr. G.O Bright, told lawmakers that in the year 2012, eleven civil servants were terminated and eight were dismissed. Mr. Bright speaking in parliament on Monday 10th November 2014 explained two concepts, which he said, are different in the civil service. He said termination is less severe than dismissal; saying in termination, the officer is entitled to pension or gratuity if terminated. He said the reason that could lead to termination is persistent lateness and absenteeism, unsatisfactory performance of duties and improper conduct or behavior of the civil servant. Mr. Bright stressed that government under the terms of employment can terminate a civil servant’s appointment by giving a month’s notice or paying the person’s salary in lieu of notice. He added the officer should be paid terminal benefit if entitled to it. He also said a civil servant can terminate his/her appointment by giving a month’s notice or paying a months salary in lieu of notice. On dismissal, the PSC Chairman, Mr. Bright said this is the most severe punishment meted to civil servants, adding it entails the forfeiture of all pensions and/ or gratuity of the person. He explains it occurs in cases of serious misconduct, malpractices and criminal conviction. He told deputies that in 2012 four civil servant were dismissed and in 2013 it rose to 8 dismissals. Mr. Bright said the 1997 Constitution dictates that the aim of the PSC is to maintain an effective and efficient civil service to ensure individuals who meet the criteria for jobs are recruited, trained and disciplined in an unbiased, fair an impartial manner. He said the commission also provides an effective and efficient service for all civil servants and other stakeholders throughout the country to formulate management issues and supervise the implementation of government polices in relation to recruitment, development and discipline of civil servants. Hon. Lamin K.Jammeh of Illiasa said the PSC failed to respond to the issue of conflict of interest within the commission in the area of procurement. He said it was pointed out by the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) that there is a suspected conflict of interest in the procurement contract awarded to YAMM Enterprise whose owner is a commission member and the direct beneficiary of office furniture purchased by the PSC. This, he said, contravenes GPPA regulation 142, 143, and 144. In his contribution, Hon. Lamin Jaddama, said the board should be aware of these breaches and stopped board members and employees from doing business with public institutions. He said if members want to do business with public institutions, that should be made clear and not carried out under the institutions working manual. The Board Chairman said his team is not aware of this matter. The NAMs suggested that secretary to the PSC should have been with the board or her assistant to give answers to their questions as the board’s response appeared futile to the lawmakers. Hon. Abdoulie Saine of Banjul Central observed that there is big gap between the secretariat and the board and that needs to be addressed. Hon Lamin K Jammeh and Hon Lamin Jadama indicated that the Gambia Public Procurement Authority had pointed out that they have sent a letter to the Public Service Commission asking them to respond within ten days as required by GPPA rules concerning answers to procurement queries. They added that there was no reply to that letter and yet they went ahead to finalize their report Mr. Lamin Camara procurement officer at GPPA confirmed to the Assembly that a letter was sent to the PSC through the secretary and the letter was not replied. The deputies pointed out that the PSC has broken the rules to reply GPPA observations within 10 days.]]>