Cameroon has taken a significant step towards reforming its public service by dismissing 1,172 civil servants known for chronic absenteeism and neglect of their official duties. These individuals, who have been receiving salaries without fulfilling their work obligations, were recently relieved of their positions. The Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reform, Joseph Anderson Le, issued a statement regarding these dismissals on November 18, 2024.
The decision to remove these absentee personnel stems from directives issued by the Prime Minister, Dr. Chief Joseph Dion Ngute, on July 25. These directives emphasized the need for stricter monitoring of civil servants at their respective posts to address the concerning trend of individuals abandoning their duties while still receiving salaries.
In a recent interview on CRTV's 5 p.m. news broadcast, Minister Joseph Le highlighted that the dismissals are in alignment with President Paul Biya's mandate to enhance the efficiency and credibility of the country's public service. Minister Le emphasized that the dismissals were conducted following established administrative protocols, specifically referencing the guidelines governing the functioning of the administration.
The minister explained that the process leading to these dismissals began in 2018 and 2019 through an operation known as COPEE, during which over 8,766 personnel were identified as absent from their designated work locations. Despite efforts to engage with the absentee individuals, only 601 responded to the inquiries made by the disciplinary committee established by the ministry.
Moving forward, Minister Le warned that the ongoing process aims to dismiss additional absentee personnel who fail to appear before the Disciplinary Committee. Over 3,577 civil servants have already been removed from their positions, with the minister aiming to complete this phase by December. Minister Le stressed the financial impact of retaining non-working personnel on the state's resources, underlining the importance of this operation in curbing financial losses.
The recent dismissals mark a crucial step in the government's broader strategy to combat absenteeism within the public service. Persistent absenteeism has long plagued the efficiency of public service delivery, leading to delays in administrative processes and a decline in overall performance. By taking decisive action against absentee personnel, Cameroon aims to enhance accountability, transparency, and productivity within its public sector.
Furthermore, the government's commitment to addressing absenteeism was reaffirmed during the July cabinet meeting, where key officials were tasked with implementing regulatory measures to tackle irregular work absences effectively. It remains to be seen how this effective this latest government action to monitor and enforce attendance regulations will succeed in instilling a culture of responsibility and diligence among civil servants across the nation.
Comments
Post a Comment