Outgoing administration’s last-minute recruitments and payments lawful – Transition Committee says

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The Transition Committee, tasked with overseeing the transfer of power to the incoming administration, has clarified the legality of ongoing recruitments and payments by the outgoing government.

During its second meeting on Friday, December 13, the committee confirmed that all activities conducted by the outgoing administration are lawful unless proven otherwise.

The committee emphasized that the outgoing administration’s term officially ends at midnight on January 6, 2025.

“All ongoing recruitments and payments have been subjected to statutory approvals and are considered lawful unless proven otherwise,” stated the committee.

They further directed that any specific allegations of illegality regarding payments or recruitments should be brought to their attention for a decision to be made.

In addition to this clarification, the committee approved the creation of six additional sub-committees to focus on critical areas, including finance and economy, energy and natural resources, legal and governance, infrastructure, interior and public safety, and the social sector.

Each sub-committee will include three representatives from both the outgoing and incoming governments.

Senior officials such as the Head of the Civil Service, the Head of the Local Government Service, and the Cabinet Secretary will provide support as needed.

Handing over notes from various sectors are to be delivered promptly to sub-committee chairs to enable them to commence work immediately.

These sub-committees are expected to submit initial findings within one week to facilitate the transition process.

Meanwhile, outgoing sector ministers, agency heads, and technical staff will also be called upon to assist in discussions related to their respective sectors.

The committee also addressed claims suggesting that all ongoing recruitments and payments had been halted or required direct referral to the Transition Team, dismissing such reports as inaccurate.

Reaffirming its commitment to a seamless transition, the government expressed its readiness to collaborate with the incoming administration to ensure an orderly transfer of responsibilities on January 7, 2025.