By Lamin B. Darboe
The Minister of Public Service, Administrative Reforms, Policy Coordination and Delivery last week commenced a random spot check on government institutions.
The first leg of the Minister and team’s visit took them to the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), where Minister Pierre Gomez led minister Bouy and team on a conducted tour of various units within MoHERST.
Speaking to the staff of the Higher Education Ministry, Minister Bouy explained that the spot-check is part of his ministry’s efforts to strengthen his institution’s oversight functions. The exercise, he added, will significantly enhance the performance of public institutions.
“We are here at MoHERST to get the first hand information on the number of staff whose names were registered in the system during morning working hours,” Minister Bouy explained to MoHERST staff.
He indicated that this random check they started is to monitor attendance and punctuality through electronic attendance registers installed at some institutions.
Hon. Minister Bouy explained to MoHERST staff that the spot check is not a witch-hunt; rather an effort to know how the electronic attendance registers are functioning in order to enhance discipline, punctuality and productivity.
The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Hon. Pierre Gomez described Minister Bouy and team’s initiative as an important exercise for his ministry.
He therefore called on his staff to work hard, even when Minister Bouy and team are not around.
“They are here to ensure that we do our work as expected. Their spot-check is a signal to us that at the end of the day, they will apply the rules,” Minister Gomez reminded his staff.
