The President, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh has acknowledged positive development in the Public Service Commission thanks to the good leadership of G.O Bright, Chairman of the Commission.

The Gambian leader made this remark on Wednesday while presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of three government officials at State House. Dr Njogou L. Bah, Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service, was recently appointed as Minister of Presidential Affairs and National Assembly Matters, Waka Joof and Alieu B Jallow as members of the Public Service Commission (PSC). The officials took the three oaths of office, allegiance and secrecy, administered by Ramou Cole-Ceesay, Secretary to Cabinet.

The President urged the PSC to ensure discipline and to continue appointing qualified personnel to the civil service without fear or favour, adding that no post is more important than the other.
"When you are in the government it is like a vehicle; every component of the vehicle, either big or small makes the vehicle move faster or slower, so no matter where you are in the government and on what level you are, don't see yourself as less important because maybe the smallest part of the engine can also prevent it from moving faster or satisfactory", he analyses.

He commended the Chairman of PSC for ensuring a more active, transparent and dedicated Public Service Commission. Further hailing the performance of the Commission, the President noted that the Public Service Commission now has much more public interest; that it is not anymore whom you know but what you know.

The President then made reference to civil servants who go for overseas training and never come back to deliver; that drastic measures would be taken against anyone found wanting. He therefore reiterated his call on the PSC to maintain discipline in the civil service.

Dr. Njogou L Bah, the newly appointed Minister of Presidential Affairs and National Assembly Matters thanked the President for giving him yet another mandate and for the confidence and trust bestowed on him. He reassured his commitment and loyalty to President Jammeh's mission and vision. He also congratulated the newly sworn-in PSC members on their new assignment, pointing out that their appointment to the various offices indicated the trust and confidence the President reposed on them, and that he has no doubts that they will rise to expectation considering their wealth of experiences.

Dr Bah however called on Gambians to support the President, indicating that for the President to realise his goal we have to come together genuinely and support our national agenda. "The team doesn't win the championship if the players play for different agenda", Dr Bah noted. He urged the civil servants with entrusted leadership roles to genuinely work as a team with dedication and commitment for the realisation of their various mandates. He then posited that no nation can achieve socio-economic development without discipline and patriotism by public servants. He also urged heads of offices to ensure discipline at all times to recognise good performance and also not to fear to condemn indiscipline.

Mr Waka Joof expressed deep honour for the appointment to the Public Service Commission and reassured the President of their resolve to execute their responsibilities to the best of their abilities without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

G.O Bright, Chairman of the Public Service Commission thanked the President for extending their mandate to continue to serve in this august body and assured them of delivering up to expectation. Chairman Bright said the two sworn-in commissioners have huge experience and have rendered selfless service to the government. He explained that the mandate of the Commission is to identify competent and qualified personnel of the civil service, to ensure an effective and efficient civil service and implementing disciplinary action to the public officers. He said in executing their duties they are guided by fair play and impartiality, in line with the code of conduct of the Gambia civil service.

Fatou Lamin Faye, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education said the President has made the right appointees, noting that they are trustworthy and hardworking and so they will help move the agenda of the civil service forward. She however urged them to deliver up to expectation, indicating that their work is challenging but that challenges make life interesting.

Teneng Mba Jaiteh, Minister of Petroleum congratulated the new appointees and encouraged them to work hard with other members to ensure that the civil service maintains quality, standard and discipline. She described the civil service as one of the most important executives "so they have to make sure that we have in the right personnel on board".