Bakosoro decries lack of skilled labour among government employees

Bakosoro decries lack of skilled labour among government employees

The government has raised the red flag over what it terms as poor performance by government employees in public institutions.

Public Service and Human Resource Development Minister, Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro, said intensive capacity building to eradicate poor performance in government institutions remains a top priority for the country, adding that it will improve work output by reducing the high level of incompetence, and improving the efficiency and capacity of civil servants in the public sector.

According to Bakosoro, most position holders in the government’s institutions are incompetent. He argued that majority of graduates lack practical skills.

“The issue of incapacity is a major challenge because of lack of skills,” Bakosoro said. “Now in public service, every young man or young woman who graduated from the university want to appointed director generals. They do not want to begin with Grade 9. They want only Grade one or Grade two.”

He added, “We cannot do that and this country will never move an inch if we do not build the capacity of civil servants properly. Therefore, it is a fight but we should not relax our muscles. We must fight that battle and then get rid of short cut to civil service.”

Bakosoro was speaking during the inauguration of Berberi’s Academy for Training and Learning (BATL), a private institution to provide practical skills for fresh university graduates with skills in South Sudan.

He said, due to a lack of skills and capability, at least 150 South Sudan recently failed to secure jobs in the East Africa bloc, emphasising that graduates including civil servants should join BATL to acquire knowledge and practical skills.

“About 150 South Sudanese applied for the jobs, some for ICT, accountants, middle managers, etc and when they were shortlisted, all the 150 South Sudanese failed. This is a living example that finishing university is not enough. This academy will help us to get practical skills and knowledge.”

“So many of us assume that we know all, sincerely, we do not know all, and learning has no end. That is why your slogan is “learning without margin” that is why we need to come here to excel in one thing or another. The better we have capable, manageable civil servants in the country, the country will run smoothly,” said Bakosoro.

Speaking at the same event, the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin called on the Ministry of Public Service and Human Resource Development to collaborate with BATL to build servants’ capacity.

“It is my hope the government will work closely with this academy in order to strengthen the capacity of our civil servants. I am glad [incapacity of civil servants] was pointed out that with the notice of Minister of Public Service, things will change,” said Dr. Marial.

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