The Gabonese government has taken decisive action against payroll fraud. A total of 1,473 state employees have been formally dismissed for abandoning their posts, following a comprehensive accounting and biometric audit ordered by the transitional authorities to clean up public administration records.
Billions of CFA francs saved annually
For years, many individuals continued to collect their monthly salaries without ever showing up for work. Some were living abroad, others held simultaneous jobs in the private sector, and some had simply walked away from their offices long ago.
By removing these 1,473 agents who failed to report to their positions, the Gabonese state will save more than 11 billion CFA francs (approximately 16.7 million euros) each year. According to the government, this money will be redirected toward projects that benefit the population, such as hospital renovations, school construction, and the recruitment of genuine teachers and healthcare workers.
Strict controls but verification still ongoing
While many citizens welcome the decision, tired of seeing public funds wasted, some unions are calling for caution. They want assurances that no regular worker has been dismissed by mistake due to a technical glitch in the database.
The ministry has stated that questionable cases will be reviewed individually. However, the state warns that anyone who received salaries without working could face legal action to repay the undue funds.
A necessary cleanup for the future
This large-scale operation demonstrates the current authorities’ determination to restore order in the country’s management. But dismissing absentees is not enough: it will also be essential to ensure that these bad habits do not return and that every public franc is now used for Gabon’s development.
