Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has ended a 25-year freeze on civil service employment in the state.
According to The PUNCH, the development was announced by Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, the Commissioner for Information, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Calabar on Wednesday.
Dr. Ekpang revealed that the last major recruitment in the state’s civil service occurred in 1999.
He announced that 2,000 individuals would be hired in the initial phase of the new recruitment process, which is set to begin immediately. This hiring initiative will span across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Reflecting on the previous administration’s attempt to conduct a recruitment exercise, Ekpang noted that numerous issues were identified when the current government assumed office.
He highlighted the current depletion of the state civil service, expressing satisfaction that Governor Otu recognized the necessity of the recruitment at this critical time.
Regarding the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage, the commissioner mentioned that it would be considered at a suitable time.
In another statement, Governor Otu praised the people of Cross River for refraining from participating in the nationwide “Hunger Protest” that began on August 1.
He specifically commended the youth for their decision to maintain peace within the state.
