MONROVIA, Oct. 31 (LINA) – Liberia’s Vice President, Jeremiah K. Koung has labeled the newly inaugurated National Civil Service Testing Center (NCSTC) facility as a landmark achievement for the civil service and represents a critical advancement in the government’s commitment to strengthen public service recruitment.
“Civil Service Agency (CSA) remains the engine of our Nation’s workforce, and it is necessary that we recruit our very best; a workforce of quality, competence, patriotism and dedication,” he noted.
Speaking Thursday, October 31, 2024, at the Ellen J. Sirleaf Ministerial Complex Theatre, during the official opening of the NCSTC, Vice President Koung added that with the center, the government affirms its dedication to ensuring that Liberia’s civil service is built on a foundation of the most skilled and qualified individuals.
Today, he stated, “we unveil a system which will reflect our Nation’s values of integrity and efficiency. This facility is more than an investment in technology, it is a transformation in how we select those who will serve Liberia.”
The Liberia Vice President explained that the former paper-based system allowed entry for individuals lacking the necessary skills to advance the civil service, adding that the Center is equipped with high-performance technology and specialized assessment tools which the government can now facilitate timely and secure evaluations of candidates.
According to him, this means a faster, more efficient hiring process, which ultimately strengthens the civil service and improves service delivery for all Liberians, as he reaffirms the government’s commitment to the values it represents which he describes as fairness, integrity, and a continuous pursuit of excellence in public service.
He then applauded the CSA for its vision and leadership in establishing this system which will enhance the credibility of the country recruitment process, noting that securing a position in government will rely on merit, competence, and a true desire to serve the people.
As the government opened this remarkable facility, Koung stressed that Liberians and civil servants should celebrate the collective milestone that will resonate in the strength of the civil service and the prosperity of the nation, citing that Liberia is advancing towards a stronger, more effective, and more accountable government dedicated to serving Liberia.
For his part, the CSA boss Josiah F. Joekai explained that the unveiling of the National Civil Service Testing Center, signifies a historic milestone in Liberia’s civil service recruitment, ushering in a new era of merit-based, transparent, and efficient recruitment practices.
This state-of-the-art, computer-based testing system replaces the outdated paper-based approach, addressing past concerns regarding fairness, integrity, and procedural inefficiencies, he stressed.
The establishment of this center highlights the government’s unwavering commitment to creating a civil service grounded in excellence, accountability, and responsiveness.
Joekai extended special thanks to MWETANA Consulting and Technical Group, (An Internet Technology firm with expertise in application development, data center design, and infrastructure networking), for developing the system and integrity consultants and for creating the bank of wide-ranging questions covering the 85 testable positions, adding that these are two exceptional Liberia firms CSA is proud of.
He applauded the World Bank for the initial support to the automation of the testing system under the Public Sector Modernization Project, stating “Today, I am sure they are pleased to see the logical and successful completion of this great milestone reform by President Boakai’s administration.
“The National Civil Service Testing Center is equipped with advanced computers and specialized tools that streamline the testing process, enabling faster, more accurate assessments of prospective civil servants,” CSA boss pointed out.
This upgrade, he noted, allows for a quicker recruitment timeline, ensuring that highly qualified personnel are swiftly placed in critical roles, thus fostering a more agile and responsive civil service that meets the evolving needs of our nation.
According to Joekai, the facility houses three testing rooms with a total of 27 cubicles, each providing candidates with ample space to ensure a comfortable testing experience, stressing that each cubicle is outfitted with a bell modifier, wireless mouse, and a pad to facilitate smooth interaction between candidates and the testing administrators.
With a bank of wide-ranging questions curated by an independent consulting firm, he emphasized that the center is equipped to test 85 junior- and senior-level civil service positions in which candidates can book their tests either online or in person at the CSA.
The CSA head said the inauguration of this facility is not just a physical achievement but a shared step forward toward building a transparent, skilled, and accountable public sector.
According to him, this landmark development is poised to enhance the standards of Liberia’s public administration, reinforcing a robust and capable government that serves its citizens with excellence and dedication
