Office of National Security Sector Reform is to introduce new law that will ensure government job seekers acquire security clearance before taking up their posts.

According to government sources the new rule is to ensure that jobs are awarded to people based on merits. It will target job seekers in the security forces and civil service.

Abdoulie Touray, who heads the Office Vetting Team, told a meeting in Brikama on Friday: “before what used to happen was when someone is seeking a job goes to police and acquire certificate of character.

“And that used to be at the entry point, but if he or she gets that job it is finished. But now what we will impose on you if you’re seeking a job (in the government) you would have to acquire security clearance. If you get that maybe you will stand the chance to get that job.

“But still, if you get that job and you’re in it, before you will be promoted you need to seek another security clearance which will proof that you have the merit to be promoted to another level in your job, he added.

Mr Touray said his office has documented the new law and hand it over to the Ministry of Justice, adding “this doesn’t mean it targets only the security sector, but likely it could reach to the level of the ministers, directors, and top government officials.”

According to him, people seeking jobs in the security sector were only entitled to acquire certificate of character, adding before there were too much complaint of people fraudulently acquiring jobs by using others documents.

He said one would now need to have the technical know-how and knowledge to be given a job.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba