afrol News, 20 March - Gambian President Yahya Jammeh said he hates the spate of his firing spree but that conditions force him to do so. Mr Jammeh said he has got an electric broom, which he uses to hire and fire civil servants.

Since he took over power by force in 1994, the soldier-turned-civilian leader has fired over 90 ministers. Ironically, Mr Jammeh never would disclose the reasons for the frequent sackings. The Gambian leader has fired some ministers a week or two after their appointment.

Mr Jammeh made the comments while presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of the Trade Minister and officials of Public Service Commissioners at State House in Banjul.

President Jammeh said time has come for The Gambia to "move from the tradition of promotion by seniority to promotion by merit."

"You can be a graduate from High School and tomorrow you are a Minister. It depends on what you want for your country," Mr Jammeh said, defending, "even in the army, we have changed from seniority-based promotion to performance-based promotion."

He said this had enhanced discipline as well as transforming the lazy attitude to work in the army. Mr Jammeh said there was need for such principles to be applied in the public service.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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