Advertisements

Advertisements

Advertisements

Chances of balancing appointments’ and distribution of national resources across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria got brighter earlier in the week as the Federal Character Commission (FCC), inaugurated a portal that would monitor and ensure justice and fairness in the distribution of national resources across the country.

Some respondents who bared their minds listed some institutions where issues of inequality in postings and promotions and other matters of resource allocations are prevalent.

Top in their list include the Nigerian Customs Service (NSC) where virtually all or majority of Command Controllers are from one part of the country.

This is followed by the nation’s oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). It would be recalled that recent promotions and designations of new general managers in the corporation showed that some regions are not duly represented.

Other MDAs fingered include the Nigeria Police, Military top brass appointments, Service Chiefs and others.

There were also observations by many respondents that in several agencies, whenever a new head is appointed, chances are that he or she will within a period of time, fill up vacant positions or create vacant positions with people from his or her zone. Some agencies (names with held) were mentioned.

A respondent specifically named the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). It would be recalled that few months ago, the National Assembly raised the issue of speculations surrounding lopsided recruitments in the agencies which nothing had been heard about again.

Business Hilights recalls that at a workshop on Wednesday, Shettima Abba, the acting Executive Chairman of the FCC, said it would also ensure a fair balance in employment across MDAs. Abba said the commission has a mandate to ensure that no state in the country was marginalised.

He stressed the need for fairness in the provision of infrastructure and social amenities across the country in line with the dreams of the founding fathers.

The chairman said the commission would not be able to carry out it’s mandate without the use of modern technology, hence the need for the portal.

“For us in FCC, we do not work with tribe or religion neither do we work with either North or South.

“We work with states, local governments and wards. It is part of our mandate to make sure no state is marginalised or left behind the wheels of development.

“For us to do that effectively, we need accurate data which we intend to generate through the portal, the portal among others will provide easy access to data and acceptable nominal rolls from MDAs,” he said.

Abba urged the participants to put in their best and advice the various Heads of MDAs to adhere to the FCC Act in all dealings as the law empowers the commission to prosecute those who breach the law.

Earlier in his remarks, Mr Ejike Njeze, Chief Executive Officer of Pyrich Limited, designers of the platform said it would also address several agitations in the country.

According to him, the platform will put to rest series of agitation as information will be made available at a glance for all Nigerians.

Njeze said the platform will ensure accuracy and enhance efficiency which will enable FCC carry out its mandate.

One of the participants, Mr Tijani Muhammed representing Nigerian Deposit Insurance Commission (NDIC) applauded the initiative and noted that the portal would address majority of challenges faced in producing annual nominal roll as required by the commission.