By: Saidu Jalloh
The Chairman Wages and Compensation Commission (WCC), Hon.Alpha Osman Timbo at the bilateral budget discussion organize by the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with Ministry of Planing and Economic Development, addresses key responsibilities of the Wages and Compensation Commission to harmonize salaries across government institutions.
This commission was established to curb the disparities among civil servants and public servants.
Alpha Osman Timbo reminded attendees about the importance of Wages and Compensation Commission and the FY 2025 budget that would request funding for operation of the commission. He also provided the strategic direction of the FY 2025 budgetary preparation, and also expressed gratitude for the meeting and emphasized on the staffing supplies of the commission.
He highlighted the need of commission by stating that they need office accommodation for the commission, operationalization of the commission including provision of vehicles, furniture, equipment and other necessary logistics staff especially Directors and other technical support staff.
Alpha Osman Timbo revealed that they are about to do a study to inform the commission about what obtains in other countries and how that could be put in the Sierra Leone context. The Chairman, Alpha Osman Timbo Highlighted the issue of consultant to be included in the operation of the commission especially when there is willingness from other strategic players.
He identified relevant bodies to affiliate with especially international organization that would expose WCC to bodies and players that could be of help and support.
The budget officer, Musa Lebbei informed the meeting that FY2025 budget ceiling for WCC was LE. 2,588,00 (Two Million, Five Hundred and Eighty Eight Thousand Leones). He reminded members that the commission is expected to stick to the budget ceiling, and he also reminded members that to make provision for outstanding commitment if applicable. He further that at present the strategic plan of the Ministry of Finance has only one budget line for the commission Administrative and operating cost, considering the nature and anticipation of the commission. Musa Lebbei encouraged the commission to be thinking of other budget lines that would support programs implementation.
The Chief Executive Officer, David Banya WCC underscored that the WCC is an institution established by law and would therefore complied with the rules. He agreed with the Ministry of Finance on the ceiling but expressed the view that the commission would submit a budget that would operationalized the commission. He encouraged the budget preparation team to do thorough engagement and needs assessment analysis that would inform the implementation of a robust annual work plan (AWP) that would achieve the strategic plan of the commission.
“The commission has a mandate and that mandate should be achieved,” he asserted.
He added that the budget officer should transmit the activities with their respective costs to the budget template authorized by the Ministry of Finance, and that the committee had agreed that the next budget meeting should be on 11th July 2024.
The Chairman, Alpha Osman Timbo ended by encouraging the team to prepare a budget that would speak to the realities and sustainable implementation of the activities by the commission.
