Cross River to review recruitment of over 4,000 state workers over alleged compromise

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

The Cross River State government has ordered the review of recent recruitments into the Local Government Service in the state.

The state governor announced this in a statement in Calabar where it also formally accepted the resignation of the chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Darlington Eyo.

The governor in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Linus Obogo, said the government has also suspended the compromised recruitment process organised by the commission.

According to Gov. Otu, “Following findings of gross misconduct and employment racketeering in the Local Government Service Commission, I have accepted the resignation of the Commission’s Chairman, Mr. Darlington Bassey Eyo.

“Accordingly, I have ordered the immediate suspension of the compromised recruitment process, pending a transparent and merit-driven review.

“A special committee will be set up to investigate the matter, identify those responsible, and recommend appropriate disciplinary actions.

“This administration will not tolerate corruption or any act capable of undermining public trust. No individual, no matter their position, will be allowed to stain the integrity of our government,” the governor said.

Prior to his resignation, Hon. Darlington Eyo announced the recruitment of over 4,000 workers to fill vacant positions across the 18 local government areas.

He noted that the commission inherited a depleted local government staff of about 9,000, adding that with the 4,000 personnel already recruited, efforts were still ongoing to fill the remaining vacant spaces.

However, widespread allegations of corruption and job racketeering trailed the recruitment process with some successful candidates alleging that they paid money to secure positions, though the chairman denied knowledge of this.