Amidst rumors indicating that President George Manneh Weah has coerced the former Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) to resign, Prof. James Dorbor Jallah has clarified that he has left the PPCC as Executive Director and CEO after completing four-year tenure of service to the country.
Commenting to his departure from the PPCC as Executive Director, Mr. Jallah said, “This is just to let you know that I have left the Public Procurement & Concessions Commission as Executive Director and CEO after completing four-year tenure of service to our country, Liberia. Regarding the next role I am moving onto, my options are open at the moment.
“I wanted you to know that I really appreciate the opportunity to have worked with you in my role as a senior government official; and to thank you for all the support I received from you and your organization without which the successes we achieved together might not have been possible. I look forward to another opportunity to work with you when I assume my next role,” he said.
Jallah noted that he served three years in the position under the regime of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and one year during the administration of President George Weah, which constituted his four year-year tenure.
According to the ‘Amendment and Restatement of the Public Procurement and Concessions Act of 2005 Approved September 16, 2010’ Section 7 titled Tenure of Office (1), “The Chairperson of the Commission shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate for a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment for one additional term of four (4) years.
Section 7 (2) provides that “To ensure continuity, the President on a staggered term basis, subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate, shall appoint six (6) additional persons for terms as follows: (a) Three (3) persons shall be appointed for an initial term of three (3) years; (b) Three (3) persons shall be appointed for an initial term of two (2) years.
The section also provides that thereafter, all subsequent appointments shall be for a fixed period of four years; while Section 7 (c) says Commissioners so appointed shall be eligible for re-appointment…”
Apparent consistent with these provisions of the PPCC Act, Prof. Jallah expressed gratitude to the President and the government of Liberia for the opportunity afforded.
“I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to President George Manneh Weah for the opportunity of serving our country in the final year of my contract and to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for the opportunity of serving our country in the first three years of my contract.”
Mr. Jallah said it was his distinguished honor and pleasure to have had the opportunity of serving our country during these two administrations, closing his statement that he be happy to maintain contact with the President through email and phone.
Meanwhile, President George Manneh Weah has praised the former Executive Director of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission James Dorbor Jallah for his invaluable contribution to Liberia’s post-conflict development and transformation efforts. He said Prof. Jallah is a well-meaning Liberian whose remarkable contributions are well noted.
The President made the remarks Friday, January 4, 2019 when he spoke to journalists as he cut ribbons for the opening of the Bishop Michael Francis Road in Paynesville.
He recounted Prof. Jallah’s contributions in making the PPCC vibrant and helping government meet its transparency and accountability targets and obligations.
“You are aware that Professor James Dorbor Jallah is my good friend who has made tremendous contributions in government at the PPCC,” the President said, responding to a reporter’s question on rumors that the PPCC CEO was sacked. “He can continue to make contributions to society either at the PPCC or other sectors. But it is important to keep it open so that others who are interested can also apply as to ensure a competitive process.”
President Weah said his administration would ensure strict compliance to the Act creating the PPCC in making determination for the appointment of a credible and trusted Liberian who merits the confidence of the government and people of Liberia.
He said the pick of someone to head the PPCC which is one of the country’s integrity institutions would be consistent with the PPCC Act and regulations.
Apparently clarifying speculations that the former PPCC boss was dismissed by him or pressured to resign, the President said: “The issue at the PPCC is not about politics. What I want to see is the development of our country and those who will help us achieve this objective. Let’s put politics behind us for now and work together as Liberians.”
The President said when Liberians are given the space to compete for positions in government, it provides the opportunity to see the best Liberians who have the qualification, skills and passion to serve with honesty and commitment.
Before making those remarks, President Weah had toured and cut robins for the opening of two asphalt pavement road projects–the Chugbor Road in Old Road, Sinkor, and the Bishop Michael K. Francis Road in Paynesville City.
Cutting the ribbons, the Liberian leader said his government was committed to upholding its commitments and promises to the people of Liberia as encapsulated in the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development.
At separate programs, residents and community leaders in the two project areas praised the Liberian government, especially President Weah, for what they considered the relieving people-centered services being provided. They particularly lauded the government’s commitment to ensuring paved road connectivity across the country.
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