Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has suspended the ongoing local government service recruitment exercise following allegations of racketeering and widespread irregularities.
- +Cross River gov suspends LG recruitment over misconduct
The development follows reactions among residents, many of whom had earlier raised concerns over the alleged monetisation of job slots and the lack of transparency in the recruitment process.
The development follows reactions among residents, many of whom had earlier raised concerns over the alleged monetisation of job slots and the lack of transparency in the recruitment process.
The decision, announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Owan Enoh, comes amid mounting public outcry over the transparency and credibility of the exercise.
“The suspension is part of immediate measures to restore public confidence and ensure that due process is followed in the recruitment of personnel into the local government system,” the statement read.
Prof Enoh disclosed that the governor had also approved the constitution of a five-man panel of inquiry to investigate the allegations and determine the extent of infractions in the recruitment process.
“The panel will review the propriety, legitimacy and procedures of the recruitment exercise, and invite the public to make oral or written representations with respect to alleged discrepancies and irregularities,” the statement said.
It was further gathered that the committee had been mandated to scrutinise the actual payroll across the 18 local government councils, amid concerns over possible inflation of workforce figures.
To ensure broad participation, the panel is expected to sit across the three senatorial districts of the state and may summon individuals considered relevant to its investigation.
Enoh noted that the suspension and subsequent probe underscored the government’s commitment to fairness, accountability, and good governance, assuring residents that anyone found culpable in the alleged racketeering would be sanctioned in accordance with the law.
