The Gabonese government has completed a comprehensive operation to clean up the public service payroll, with the goal of reforming and modernizing the public sector. The operation, which was carried out by a commission tasked with examining disputed cases, aimed to verify the presence of public servants and identify any irregularities in the payroll. According to the Minister of Public Service and Capacity Building, Laurence Ndong, the operation is part of the government's efforts to improve the management of public resources.
The operation involved a thorough examination of the biometric and administrative data of public servants, with the goal of verifying their presence and identifying any anomalies. The process was carried out in two phases over a period of eight months, during which public servants were required to present themselves individually with administrative documents to justify their identity, assignment, and presence in their administration. The data collected was then cross-checked with payroll and immigration data to determine the status of absent public servants.
The operation resulted in the retention of pay vouchers for public servants whose situations could not be established. These individuals were given the opportunity to present themselves before the commission to provide explanations and present documents justifying their absence. According to Colonel Loïck Ossiba, head of the task force, several cases involved public servants who had been based abroad for several years, often for medical reasons. However, the colonel emphasized that all absences must be justified and reported to the hierarchy.
The government has stated that the operation will result in significant savings, with an estimated 11 billion CFA francs expected to be saved through the release of vacant budget posts. The minister indicated that the use of these posts will be determined by the competent authorities. She also emphasized that public servants who have not worked will not receive a salary, and that individual cases will be examined on a case-by-case basis.
The operation is part of a broader effort to rationalize the management of public resources and control the public wage bill. According to the minister, public personnel expenses amounted to approximately 809.1 billion CFA francs in 2025. The government hopes that the cleanup operation will help to improve the management of public resources and reduce waste.
The commission's conclusions were adopted by the Council of Ministers on September 18 and presented to the public on September 22. The operation is seen as a key step in the government's efforts to reform and modernize the public sector. The government has emphasized its commitment to improving the management of public resources and ensuring that public servants are accountable for their actions.
The cleanup operation is expected to have a lasting impact on the management of public resources in Gabon. The government has emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of public resources. The operation has also highlighted the need for public servants to be aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Key points
- The Gabonese government has completed a comprehensive operation to clean up the public service payroll, aiming to reform and modernize the public sector.
- The operation resulted in the retention of pay vouchers for public servants whose situations could not be established.
- The government expects to save an estimated 11 billion CFA francs through the release of vacant budget posts.
