The Gabonese government has removed 1,473 agents from the public service, following an examination of 1,765 dossiers by the Commission charged with examining litigious cases from the biometric and administrative census of public agents. According to the Gabon Press Agency, this move aims to clean up the payroll file and is expected to save the state approximately $11 billion annually. The commission's work was presented by Minister of Public Service Laurence Ndong.
Minister Ndong explained that the operation, which targeted agents with irregular situations, was carried out in several stages. The biometric and administrative census, followed by a verification mission by the Task-Force, identified litigious situations. An order on March 23, 2026, created the Commission, which worked from June 8 to July 24, 2026, before presenting its conclusions to the Council of Ministers on September 18, 2026.
The commission's decisions concern 1,162 agents in permanent payroll, spread across 37 ministries and institutions, as well as 603 non-permanent workers. The 1,473 removals are broken down into several categories: 589 cases of abandonment of post with pension rights, 110 cases of abandonment of post without pension rights, 44 agents with a pre-salary status, 20 special cases of former cabinet members, six compulsory retirements, 36 contract terminations, 65 deaths, and 600 cases of abandonment of post by non-permanent workers.
The commission's work is part of a broader effort to clean up the public service payroll. According to Minister Ndong, the goal is to ensure that public agents are effectively present and working. The operation has identified various irregularities, including agents who have abandoned their posts, those who have died, and those who have retired.
The removals are not limited to abandonment of post cases, but also include administrative changes such as retirements, deaths, and contract terminations. The commission's work aims to ensure that the public service payroll is accurate and up-to-date. This move is expected to have a significant impact on the country's public finances.
The Gabonese government has taken steps to ensure that the public service is efficient and effective. The biometric and administrative census, as well as the verification mission, have helped identify irregularities and improve the management of public agents. The commission's work is part of a broader effort to reform the public service and improve governance.
The government has confirmed that the commission's conclusions have been taken into account and that the removals are now effective. The move is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy and public finances. The government has not announced any further measures, but it is likely that additional reforms will be implemented to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the public service.
Key points
- The Gabonese government has removed 1,473 agents from the public service, saving approximately $11 billion annually.
- The removals are part of a broader effort to clean up the public service payroll and ensure that public agents are effectively present and working.
- The commission's work has identified various irregularities, including agents who have abandoned their posts, those who have died, and those who have retired.
