By Amin Kef Sesay
During the consultation and validation of the Public Service Legislative Review on the 17th November 2020, held at the Civil Service Training College on Tower Hill His Excellency Tom Vens, Ambassador of the European Union said he is delighted, on behalf of the European Union, to be part of the programme.
He noted that the day marked an important one as the country comes to the close of the consultative process on the public service legislative review pointing out that it is the culmination of an important legal review process which has been spearheaded by the Public Service Commission, with support from the European Union, since 2016.
Tom Vens recognized the critical role officials of the Civil Service have played in driving the important reform agenda maintaining that their mandate as the highest authority in charge of HR Management across the Public Service is enshrined in the Constitution.
He stated that he is happy to see that all the duty bearers who have important responsibilities in the HR Management across the Public Service are present to support this process.
“It takes strong leadership and commitment to effectively engage into Public and Civil Service reforms,” he underscored adding how Sierra Leone is facing critical challenges and the gloomy perspectives brought by the COVID-19 pandemics amplify vulnerabilities and need for resolute action.
The Ambassador stated that Sierra Leone is also blessed by strong leadership which has reinforced the political commitment towards strengthening and modernization of the Public and Civil Service of Sierra Leone.
He continued that on multiple occasions H.E. President Maada Bio has referred to the reform of the civil and public service under the authority of the Public Service Commission (PSC) as one of the most critical priorities of his Government.
Its relevance in view of harmonizing and containing the wage bill and enhance government effectiveness cannot be over-emphasized, Tom Vens iterated.
He intimated that he is proud to confirm their support towards the Government’s commitment to establish a modern, robust and efficient public service, with a view to ensure effective service delivery for the people of Sierra Leone.
“Since 2015 the European Union has been investing considerable resources to support the national authority’s efforts to strengthen Civil Service Management,” he disclosed furthering how they have contributed to the review and implementation of the Human Resources Policies, Procedures, Systems and Methods; strengthening of for Personnel Record Management System; Civil Service Payroll clean up; adoption and implementation of Individual Performance Appraisal System (IPAS).
Ambassador Tom Vens said tangible and important achievements have been realized under the direction of the Human Resources Management Office and for that commended the effective leadership by Director General Ansu Tucker.
He disclosed that additional support is provided to the Civil Service Training College to enhance the capacity of personnel but said they all know this is not enough.
The EU Ambassador noted that to realize the “transformation of the Public Service” to restore the professionalism and efficiency the country needs a strong rationalization effort.
He maintained that a strong rationalization effort is needed to address the mandate-overlaps of a multiplicity of actors and the consequent inconsistencies in standards, processes and procedures in Human Resources Management
“A strong rationalization effort is needed to establish oversight, regulatory and supervisory roles over the Public Services,” he opined.
He stated that the enactment of a single Public Service Act appears to be a centrepiece in the arsenal of measures to streamline and clarify the institutional landscape within the management of the public services and harmonize standards and procedures relating to Public Personnel Management.
Tom Vens said the Mid-term National Development Plan made a clear commitment towards it to be achieved by 2023 at the latest.
He assured of their unfettered support towards the enactment of the Public Service Act.
“I reaffirm the European Union commitment towards supporting the next steps of the process,” he highlighted pointing out the drafting of a Public Service Policy for Sierra Leone to provide general policy guidance to the management of human resources in the public service, and strengthen the constitutional functions of the Public Service Commission.
He also made mention of the robust participatory consultations to clarify the institutional relationships between PSC and the public agencies/ commissions responsible for HR Management to address mandate-overlaps with the PSC through Acts of Parliament.
The Ambassador further named the drafting of the Public Service Bill for enactment.
He said once the Public Service Act is enacted and notified they stand ready to support its dissemination and implementation across public/civil service, as well as the review of the Civil Code and the formulation of the Public Service Regulations, new HR policies, guidelines and templates in line with the new Act.
The Ambassador said in doing so they hope to contribute towards the transformation of the Public and Civil Service of Sierra Leone into a performance service that can ensure accountability and fairness, that can attract and retain skilled, competent and qualified personnel that is capable of delivering the quality and efficient public services that the people of Sierra Leone deserve.
