MONROVIA — Outgoing Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Bill McGill Jones, has described his tenure as a mission to restore dignity, rebuild systems, and empower public servants, declaring that the Ministry is now on a path of irreversible progress.
Delivering an emotional farewell address, Jones reflected on the state of the institution when he assumed office in February 2024.
“The institutional system was in a shattered state. Administrative systems were broken. People were demoralized,” he said.
A Mission Rooted in Dignity
Jones said his guiding philosophy was simple: if public servants are expected to perform, they must be treated with dignity.
“If I can go home and use a clean bathroom, then the people who spend more time at work deserve even better conditions,” he noted.
This principle drove reforms that improved workplace sanitation, restored utilities, and enhanced employee welfare.
Key Achievements Highlighted
Jones outlined several major accomplishments during his tenure, including:
- Training of over 986 employees in various technical fields
- Launch of an internship program benefiting 277 young Liberians
- Introduction of staff transportation and welfare initiatives
- Development of a five-year strategic plan already in motion
- Implementation of policy reforms and administrative restructuring
He emphasized that these achievements were not personal, but collective.
“This is not Bill’s achievement. It is the Ministry’s achievement under the leadership of the Minister,” he said.
Focus on Employee Welfare
A significant portion of Jones’ reforms targeted staff welfare, including addressing hidden financial burdens.
“One staff member was spending over L$500 daily just to come to work,” he revealed. “Now that money goes to her children’s education and well-being.”
He also highlighted efforts to introduce insurance systems and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for workers.
Leadership and Promotion
Jones credited his rise to hard work and character.
“The decision that promotes you is not made in your presence—it is made in your absence, and the only thing on the table is your character,” he said.
He acknowledged that his leadership style—driven and sometimes intense—was not always universally accepted.
“I am ambitious and I want to get things done. Sometimes that makes people uncomfortable,” he admitted.
Looking Forward
As he transitions to the Ministry of State, Jones pledged continued commitment to national service.
“I do not say goodbye. I say forward,” he declared.
He assured colleagues that the reforms implemented at MFDP are irreversible, adding:
“The framework we have laid cannot go backward—it can only move forward.”
A Personal Note
Jones concluded with gratitude to colleagues and the President, describing his appointment as a sign of “extreme confidence.”
“Wherever I go, this Ministry will remain part of my life,” he said.
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