The Senate on Wednesday invited the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) Mrs Joan Ayo, to brief it over increasing allegations of secret employment by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the country.
The upper chamber said that it is worried over the unending allegations that MDAs were clandestinely carrying out employments without due process.
Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs said that the decision to invite the FCSC boss was taken after its oversight visit to the headquarters of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) in Abuja.
Acting Executive Chairman of FCC, Shettima Bukar Abba, was said to have lamented that government agencies have failed in their responsibilities to comply with the federal character principles.
Abba was also said to have disclosed that efforts by the FCC to get the FCSC to comply with the federal character principle as well as discourage secret employment in government agencies were being frustrated by denial of the FCSC boss.
Abba was said to have added that MDAs skew projects in the budget based on regional sentiments against an even distribution of projects as required by the principle of federal character.
The FCC boss was said to have told Senators that the unfortunate development, which was fast becoming a norm, was severally challenged in the past by the FCC, but to no avail.
He appealed for the support of the National Assembly, “because the commission needs its protection against erring government agencies.”
Abba said: “There is an issue I need to draw your attention to as well. Distribution of projects in the annual budget ought to be in compliance with the federal character principle. So far, you find that this has not been the case as it is skewed to favour one part at the expense of another.
“As legislators, I think you should watch out for this by ensuring that projects are not skewed to favour a particular section of the country.
“Also, I must add that in order to realise this, lawmakers should protect us (FCC) against MDAs in ensuring that the principle of federal character is maintained in drafting budget proposals.
“If they (MDAs) bring out their budget, their proposals must be balanced. They put in areas not based on the needs of people but based on sentiments. These are some of the issues we want your support on, since we believe it is what will keep this country together.”
Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character, Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura, in his ruling noted that following concerns raised by the Acting Chairman FCC, it became a necessary invite the FCSC boss to brief the Senate on the issues raised by FCC boss.
He noted that the FCSC boss should also be expected to throw light on her alleged failure to adhere to the provisions of federal character principles.
The Zamfara North Senatorial District assured the FCC of the Senate’s support saying, “It is because of our directive for submission of nominal rolls that is why government agencies are now rushing to you (FCC). We want to assure you that the National Assembly will stand by you and give you all the necessary support to succeed.”
