Africa-Press – Gambia. The Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, AlieuNjie, has described Permanent Secretaries as the vital link between political commitments and their execution.
He made these remarks on Monday, July 7, 2025, during the official opening of a three-day Permanent Secretaries’ retreat held at the Sir DawdaKairabaJawara International Conference Center in Bijilo.
According to SG Njie, during a recent Cabinet retreat, each Minister committed to five key deliverables aligned with the National Development Agenda and publicly endorsed by President Adama Barrow.
“The progress we make on these five deliverables depends not only on what Ministers declare, but on what you, Permanent Secretaries lead, manage, and make happen within your institutions,” he emphasized.
SG Njie noted that the retreat serves as a platform for reviewing, assessing, and aligning institutional efforts to ensure that promises made at the Cabinet level are translated into tangible results on the ground.
“As accounting officers, policy leaders, and stewards of government priorities, Permanent Secretaries shoulder a tremendous responsibility,” he said.
He further underscored that the role of the Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service is to strengthen the interface between Cabinet-level decision-making and civil service operations ensuring that both the political and technical arms of government move in unison.
“We aim to make the system more coherent, efficient, and, ultimately, more effective. Progress depends on people. Coming together and working together is paramount to achieving high performance,” he stated.
SG Njie expressed his deep appreciation for the dedication and service of Permanent Secretaries, especially under increasingly complex and demanding conditions.
He acknowledged the government’s recognition of their critical role in national development, particularly amid a constrained fiscal environment.
This is why the administration has taken bold steps to support the civil service including salary adjustments aimed at boosting morale and retaining talent, he highlighted.
These steps are not just about compensation, he added, “but about sending a clear message: You matter, and your work is valued.”
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