The Senate has queried the management of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) over alleged employment carried out in secret by federal ministries, department and agencies (MDA’s).
Recall that the Federal Government had placed an embargo on employment, however, most persons are said to be employed secretly.
The minister for Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige in August, 2021 had said;
“The Federal Government placed embargo on employment because the economy is not in good shape. But, we have the Home Support Programmes like Conditional Cash Transfer and others. Such money is meant for the poor in the society.”
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character Commission and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Danjuma La’ah, in an exclusive interview with PUNCH in Abuja, on Thursday, November 25, said the FCC had been asked to react to the allegation in writing.
According to La’ah, the FCC management is expected to show documentary evidence that there was a circular from the Head of Service which placed an embargo on employment.
La’ah added that the FCC was asked by his committee to provide details of the recruitment exercise carried out so far since the supposed embargo and the criteria used in filling vacant positions.
He said the information from the FCC would enable his panel to take a decision on the way forward and how to ensure provision of jobs to the teeming unemployed graduates in the country.
“We have sent an official letter to the FCC and we are still expecting them to give us details of the information we requested from them.
“We have demanded details of the recruitment exercise they’ve carried out since the so-called embargo the MDAs claimed is on employment.
“We also want to know the criteria the MDAs are adopting to carry out the replacement of retired and dead staff.
“We are also aware that some people have left the service voluntarily. How were they replaced? Did the process follow federal character principles?
“When we get their response, we would be able to write our report and make necessary recommendations to the Senate for the required actions” Senator Danjuma La’ah said.
