DRC Minister Explains Fictitious Agents, Duplicate IDs in National Assembly

Congolese Minister of Public Service Jean-Pierre Lihau faced scrutiny at the National Assembly on Saturday, addressing concerns over fictitious employees and duplicate identification numbers within the public administration. Responding to parliamentary questions, Lihau detailed reforms implemented since 2021 aimed at sanitizing the public employee registry.

He specifically tackled accusations of employee ID transfers between the Nord-Ubangi and Mongala provinces. Lihau dismissed these claims, asserting that no legal framework permits such transfers. Instead, he characterized the incidents as "overlaps" where multiple individuals were assigned the same identification number. This, he explained, stemmed from past administrative errors predating his tenure.

During the session, Lihau also addressed a question about the overall number of state employees and the associated salary mass. He highlighted the audit missions and verification processes undertaken to identify and eliminate fictitious agents, thereby strengthening workforce control within the public administration. Following his explanations, the deputies acknowledged his responses, concluding the hearing.

“

It is legally and administratively inaccurate to claim that an ID assigned to an agent in Nord-Ubangi was sold or transferred to an agent in Mongala. What is at issue is not a transfer of IDs, but an overlap. Two or more people bearing the same identification number.