The House of Representatives has formally received a draft Act seeking to establish the Civil Service Commission of Liberia, in keeping with Article 89 of the 1986 Constitution, which mandates the creation of autonomous public commissions.
The proposed legislation was submitted on Monday to the Chief Clerk of the House, Madam Mildred Sayon, by the Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), Dr. Josiah F. Joekai Jr., on behalf of the Executive. It was accompanied by a communication from President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr.
“In fulfillment of Article 89 of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, I am pleased to submit for legislative enactment ‘An Act to Establish the Civil Service Commission,’” President Boakai stated in his letter. “This legislation seeks to repeal the pre-1986 Civil Service Agency and create an independent and autonomous body empowered to regulate, supervise, and promote standards within the Liberian Civil Service and the broader public sector.”
The President noted that the new Commission would ensure fair access to employment and career growth, improve working conditions, and promote transparency and professionalism across the public service. He added that the measure would formalize civil servants as a distinct category, with structured systems for development, protection, and grievance resolution.
President Boakai emphasized that the enactment of the legislation is “a critical step in modernizing and optimizing Civil Service operations” and will advance the ARREST Agenda, which focuses on administrative reform, transparency, and service delivery.
Receiving the draft Act, House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon expressed gratitude to Dr. Joekai and his team, assuring them that the legislation will receive timely attention when lawmakers return from their break in October.
“Civil servants are the foundation of government, and they need to be well taken care of,” Speaker Koon said. “When they are treated with dignity and provided decent working conditions, the country will move forward more smoothly.”
This bill will allow the Civil Service Commission to work on its own, with full power to make and enforce rules as the law says. If passed, it will be a big step in improving public service in Liberia, making sure there is honesty, professionalism, and fair treatment for all civil servants.
Dr. Joekai said this is a goal that has been planned for a long time and is a big success that everyone must work together to achieve. Speaker Koon thanked the CSA for its leadership and promised that the House will act quickly on the bill after the break in October. He said, civil servants are the heart of government and must be well cared for so the country can run smoothly and well.
The draft Act has been forwarded to the relevant House committees for review and subsequent action.
