President George Manneh Weah says he does not think that Mr. Dorbor Jallah is the only citizen that has the knowledge to lead the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC), following the expiration of Mr. Jallah’s tenure.
“Well … what I want to do is my own vision; He worked in a government for 12 years in the same position and it is expired. I don’t think he is the only citizen that … [has] the knowledge of the PPCC,” Mr. Weah said Friday, 4 January.
Mr. Weah’s comments are in reaction to suggestions from some members of the public that Mr. Jallah should be given another opportunity to remain in the position and help the administration to ensure that government agencies and ministries respect PPCC laws.
The PPCC regulates and monitors all forms of public procurement and concession practices here, and some agencies at times face problems when they encounter a strict -forward PPCC boss who demands that the rules be respected.
Former President Ellen Johnson – Sirleaf appointed Mr. Jallah to the position in 2014, and he has held the job throughout the first 11 months of Mr. Weah’s administration.
Mr. Weah argues that you have lot of qualified Liberians, saying before Mr. Jallah came into the position, there were lot of people that assumed that same position as PPCC Executive Director.
According to him, for the few time he worked with Mr. Jallah who has taught at the University of Liberia, his government listened to the outgoing PPCC Executive Director with respect to his teaching of the policies of the integrity institution.
“But that does not guarantee anyone the job because it’s an open job that Liberians must bid for,” President Weah continues.
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He dismisses what he describes as political, an argument that a good man is being taken off the job, saying “all of the people who have previously occupied the position were good people.”
He believes that it was because of vision that others left the position and others were brought in to serve.
President Weah says Mr. Jallah has the responsibility to rebid for the position because there’s a rule that says anyone whose tenure expires is to rebid or reapply for the position to get the job.
“So even the Dorbor Jallah that people [are] talking about knows the rules because he taught us the rule,” Mr. Weah explains.He emphasizes that if Mr. Jallah needs the government’s confidence again, the process is there and it means that others can get into the competition.
By Winston W. Parley
