Senate queries character commission over alleged illegal recruitment in MDAs

The Federal Character Commission was on Monday queried over the recruitment of staff by some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government without recourse to the principle of federal character.

Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-governmental Affairs also queried the commission for not taking punitive measures against erring MDAs.

Buhari setting new standards with cost-cutting measures -BMO

Representatives of the Federal Character Commission on Monday appeared before the Senate Committee chaired by Senator Danjuma La’ah.

Members of the committee asked the Secretary of the FCC, Mohammed Tukur to explain if due process was followed in the alleged recruitment exercise by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and other agencies.

Tukur in his response said that the commission was aware of the alleged recruitment exercises by some agencies and that it has started investigating the allegations.

He promised to avail the committee, all necessary information regarding his findings as soon as the probe is concluded.

Speaking with journalists after his engagement with the Senate panel, Tukur said that “some members of the Senate committee raised the issue of the recruitment exercises going on, particularly the one of an agency and we said the issue is being addressed.

“All other issues that were brought to the attention of the commission are actually being addressed. Normally, before any recruitment can take place, it has to pass through four stages. There must be approval from the office of the head of service and there must be budgetary approval from the budget office.

“Then, you will come to the Federal Character Commission for the character balancing index which would indicate the states that should be prioritised and those that should not be prioritised.

“This is because states that are under-represented in that agency that is recruiting would be addressed. It is after this has been done that we you will go back to the accountant general who will give you the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) number platform as directed by the President.

“It is not one agency affair. In some of the agencies, you don’t need to go to the office of the accountant general to recruit. We attend to all issues brought before us and we ensure that justice, fairness and equity are reflected in our reports.”

However, the chairman of the Senate committee assured Nigerians that all affected agencies would be invited for questioning as soon as investigations have been concluded.

He said that “I have gone deep in the investigation and I’m doing everything possible to get facts. I will give the necessary updates and information when we conclude our findings.

“You can see that my members were agitated, trying to raise their voices, but I asked them to take it easy and let us get to the root of the matter.

“If we are able to prove our case beyond reasonable doubts after our preliminary investigations, then we will start our probe by inviting the affected agencies.

“I’m aware that many Nigerians are worried and they want to know what is happening on the matter. Justice would definitely be done and we would expose all culprits.”