The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character has expressed its displeasure over lopsided appointment of staff by the Upper Niger Development Authority as well as the Chad Basin Development Authorities
Chairman of the committee, Rep Ahmed Idris Wase CON, stated this at the committee hearing held at the National Assembly on Tuesday. He said the flagrantly disregard of federal character principle.in the recruitment of staffs of ministry, department and agency will not be tolerated.
Citing Section 14(3)(4)1999 constitution as amended, which stipulated that
“(3) the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no …
(4) The composition of the Government of a State, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such Government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the Government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority …
The Committee had Tuesday grilled the Managing Directors of the Upper Niger Development Authority Mr. M A Ali as well as the Chad Basin Development Authorities Engr. Mohammed Zanna on the agencies’ staff strength and recruitment process as it relates to federal character principles.
The Rep Wase warned that all staff recruitment in all the ministries, departments, and agencies of the federal government must reflect the principles of federal character, adding that there is a need to promote national unity in these entities.
Responding to the queries, Mr. M A Ali admitted lopsidedness in their recruitment, he however said the agency had sought the approval of a waiver from the Federal Character Commission
The committee chairman directed that the agency should appear next week with the copy of the waiver along with the person in charge of the waiver at the Federal Character Commission.
