Madi Says SOECommission’s Recommendation on NAWEC Is Unjust to Poorly Paid Staff

Mr Madi Jorbateh, an outspoken Gambian human rights the recommendation of the State Owned Enterprise Commission is unfair to most of the staff of NAWEC who should not be held responsible for the underperformance of the institution. It could be recalled that on Wednesday 19 June 2024, the SOE Commission submitted its first report on NAWEC to the President. According to the Commission, “NAWEC only achieved 30% and 20% of the targets set for its Key Performance Indicators in 2021 and 2022, respectively.” For that matter, the Commission has recommended that all NAEC staff be deducted 5% of their salary for not meeting the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) targets set for 2021 and 2022. “I find this recommendation unfair to most of the staff of NAWEC who should not be held responsible for the underperformance of the institution. A flat deduction across the board affects low-salary earners, usually the hardworking people in the field. They do not have any leadership, policy, strategic, or management role to make decisions, set standards, or correct anomalies. In most cases, these lowly-paid officers are under-resourced, ill-equipped, and unprotected in their work under the hot sun.” Mr. Jorbateh highlighted that the poorly paid officers with no decision-making power and authority have to suffer for the performance of those who hold power and authority to decide for the institution while arguing that the Board and Management of NAWEC, like any other institution, bear primary responsibility for the performance of the institution. “Therefore, the SOE Commission cannot impose a flat punishment for everyone equally. The Commission should have figured that some NAWEC staff bear more responsibility than others and accordingly distribute the punishment. Some directors in NAWEC are receiving more than 200% above the salary of some junior staffers in the field. Yet these field staff cannot do anything if the resources and equipment they need are not available, which should have come from the top directors.” In April 2023, the National Assembly passed the SOE Bill into law. In September 2023, the President inaugurated the SOE Commission comprising 6 commissioners, namely Baboucarr Sompo Ceesay, Adama Deen, Cecilia Baldeh, Amie Njie, Sagarr Twum, and chaired
by Ousainou Ngum.