Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has lifted a 25-year embargo on employment into the state’s civil service, marking the first major recruitment effort since 1999.
Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, Commissioner for Information, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Calabar on Wednesday. Ekpang announced that the first phase of the recruitment will involve 2,000 new employees across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
“The immediate past administration attempted to initiate employment, but upon taking office, the current government identified significant flaws in that process,” Ekpang said. “The state civil service is nearly depleted, and we are indeed pleased that the governor has found it necessary to recruit at this time.”
The commissioner confirmed that the recruitment process would commence immediately. When asked about the possibility of implementing the N70,000 minimum wage, Ekpang noted, “That will be considered at the appropriate time.”
In another development, Gov. Otu praised the people of Cross River for abstaining from the nationwide “Hunger Protest” that began on Aug. 1. He specifically commended the state’s youth for maintaining peace during this period.
