In a drive to show transparency and accountability in the Judiciary, the Civil Service Agency (CSA), acting on the directive of His Honor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, has embarked on the commissioning of a week-long Credential Audit and Personnel Verification process across courts in Montserrado County.
The move among other things is to restore public trust and confidence about the Judiciary which has been a challenge over the period.
Speaking at the opening ceremony Chief Justice Yamie Gbeisay said the focus among other things is part of his vision to reform the judiciary.
According to him, the process is a critical venture geared towards ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the judiciary.
“This process will help the judiciary attain the highest standards of excellence”, he re-emphasized.
The Judiciary boss also stated that the process will also ensure that the perception about corruption at the judiciary is erased.
“We will do so searching and ensure that our prevention aligns with our respective assignments for the efficiency and maximum productivity of the judiciary “, he told the gathering.
He encouraged members of the Judiciary to work together with the Civil Service Agency team to ensure that process is fulfilled.
At the same time, the Chief Justice commended the CSA for committing to conducting the process on a probono level in the absence of direct budgetary support for said process to the CSA.
Also speaking was the Director General of the Civil Service Agency Dr. Josiah Joekai who thanked the Chief Justice for allowing the CSA to form a part of his reform process.
According to him, the process also aligns with the government’s ARREST Agenda tor inclusive development as well as President Boakai’s vision of accountability, transparency and integrity in the governance system.
He stated that in the absence of lack of direct budgetary support to said initiative, the CSA was able conduct similar process at the Monrovia City Corporation, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency and other government entities with high degree of transparency and integrity assuring the judiciary of implementing same during the week-long process.
“We will play our part at each center beginning here at central office, Paynesville and Garnesville respectively and our team will do their work professional with diligence, accountability and transparency”, he assured the chief justice.
As part of the process Dr. Joekai said his team will do effective credential Varification, scanning of credentials, file review process, head count and the confirmation of national ID cards among others.
He said over the period of their work, it has proven to be professional and transparent with no one challenging them.
” We will work professionally as possible and if our team identify ghost names , the CSA will remove it or them on behalf of the Chief justice and notify the judiciary”, he added.
The removal he stated is in stages namely, stage one which will be the blocking process .
He explained that such process is not a total removal but will wait for the person or individuals to come and justify if they are actually an employee of the judiciary and when that is done and proven, the CSA will unblock them.
Dr. Joekai also stressed that the process is not about tribe, who you are as a person but the competence you have.
He re-emphasized that Credential varification is key because over the period they have identified so many forged credentials at government agencies where they conducted the process.
The CSA Boss reminded the chief justice that the process as unique as it is will be in the best interest of the judiciary and the Country at large.
“We want to make sure that the CSA remains a professional agency that will help the government deliver on the mandate of the people”, he maintained.
Dr. Joekai also pointed out that they can only do such when they have the professional people with the requisite expertise and qualifications on board to bring about efficiency and productivity in the public service.
Meanwhile, the process upon completion after the one week period will be followed by a recommendation from the CSA for progress as part of its reform agenda. By By: Julius Konton
