By Paul Efiong, Abuja
The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has warned all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to follow the standing procedures of recruitment into the public service.
The commission gave the directive in a statement issued in Abuja by Dr Chuks Okoli, Director Public Affairs/Communication of FCC, following the alleged secret recruitments by some MDAs.
Okoli said MDAs had been directed to ensure proper manpower planning in accordance with its authorised staffing/manning level, when there was a need for recruitment.
According to him, the spread of all vacancies to be filled shall be predetermined in relation to current levels of FCC representation by states or geo-political zones, at a joint meeting of MDAs and the management of the FCC.
“The MDA shall ensure, and provide comprehensive job description (academic qualifications and cognate experience) required for each vacant position.
“All vacancies shall be advertised in at least two newspapers circulating nationally, giving prospective candidates a minimum of six weeks within which to apply.
“In filling the allotted vacancies, adequate consideration shall be given to gender representation and the physically challenged and where candidates are required to apply on-line, hard copies of such applications shall nevertheless be accepted.”
Okoli said government agencies have been warned from demanding processing fees of application form from applicants who wants any job in public service.
“Recruitment into the public service shall not be contracted out to consulting firms. However, such agencies of government as ASCON, CMD, PSIN and the like, may be contracted to organise screening/aptitude tests.
“Only candidates who have met the basic minimum requirements for each position shall be shortlisted for written tests/oral interview or any other selection process.
“Under no circumstance shall an unqualified candidate be shortlisted purportedly on the basis of Federal Character consideration.”
He said the appointment of temporary, casual or contract staff (by whatsoever name called), could have adverse effect on the staff distribution pattern of an MDA, saying such appointments should only be carried out sparingly, subject to prior written approval of the commission.
Okoli stated other standing procedures to include, any candidate who met the basic minimum requirements, shall be eligible to compete for posts reserved for his state/zone.
He added that such candidate should not be penalised or disadvantaged in favour of a candidate from another state/zone who may possess higher qualifications.
“At the close of advertisement, and from the long list of all applications received, a shortlist of qualified candidates shall be compiled for interview or any other mode of selection on states basis.
