By Laurina B Lormia
The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) says it is shocked over the President’s decision to disregard the competitive recruitment procedure, as outlined by law.
“The President must respect the independence and sanctity of public integrity institutions and refrain from actions that have the proclivity to undermine public confidence in their leadership and work,” CENTAL maintained.
According to him, the decision of the President to appoint individuals outside of the established competitive and transparent procedure, as contained in the Public Procurement and Concession Act flagrantly violates the Act.
Addressing the press Tuesday September 3, 2024, the Executive Director, Anderson Miamen, stated that, these appointments were made without independent vetting and recommendation of individuals by the Panel, as required by the amended Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) Act of 2010.
He explained that, in March 2024, the PPCC informed the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, that vacancy existed at Complaint, Appeal and Review Panel (CARP) due to expiration of the tenure of CARP members and that the recruitment process would commence.
He mentioned that the request for Expression of Interest was published for a period of one month on the PPCC website, the Executive Mansion website, and in two widely read newspapers and for further transparency in the recruitment process, PPCC invited four institutions to participate in the evaluation process.
The Civil Service Agency (CSA), the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), and the Center for Transparency and Accountability of Liberia (CENTAL) and representatives of these institutions were then joined by representatives of PPCC to constitute the full evaluation committee.
He explained that, as a member of the vetting committee, they reported that 37 applicants were qualified to take the aptitude test, from which 22 persons, including three lawyers and 19 non-lawyers were qualified for interview.
“The panel then recommended the top 10 candidates from which the President could make the appointments, consistent with law. The scores of all candidates qualified for the interview staged were also submitted to the President for transparency purposes,” he continued.
On August 29, 2024, President Boakai appointed five individuals to the CARP of the PPCC. The appointment is provided for in the Amended and Restated Public Procurement and Concessions Commission Act of 2010.
Those appointed include Cllr. Sundaway E. Nelson Amagashie, Cllr. Vincent Smith, Cllr. Morris Davis, Mr. Ezekiel F. Nyumah, and Mr. Michael C.G George.
This is because, unlike Mr. Ezekiel Nyumah, one of 10 candidates recommended for appointment by the vetting panel, Cllr. Vincent Smith, Cllr. Morris Davis, and Mr. Michael C. G. George did not participate in the recruitment process at all.
“Although Cllr. Sundayway E. Nelson Amegashie participated in the testing phase of the evaluation, she did not participate in the interview stage as she was unavailable. As such, she was not recommended by the committee for an appointment,” he narrated.
However, it undermines transparency and accountability and an utter disregard of the work performed by the committee members, including LNBA, CSA, CENTAL and PPCC.
This amounts to ‘business as usual’ and serves to frustrate and discourage not only successful candidates but also the eighty-four applicants who exerted valuable time to participate in the recruitment process.
“What is even more concerning is the fact that the vacancy announcement was published on the official Executive Mansion website, signaling a clear intent to comply with transparency and due diligence requirements,” Miamen noted.
Meanwhile, it is important that the decisions of the President and other public officials support and strengthen integrity-building, transparency, and accountability efforts in Liberia and not otherwise.
“Commitment to the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts must be matched by the required actions, if Liberians and development partners must be confident that President Boakai is truly committed to respecting anti-corruption and other laws governing key sectors, institutions, activities, and processes,” he concluded.
He then urged President Boakai to reconsider recent appointments at the PPCC.