The Cross River State Local Government Service Commission has defended its statutory powers to recruit personnel into the Unified Local Government Service, insisting that the responsibility falls exclusively within its mandate.
The commission said its position was in line with the official position of the state government and followed a recent circular issued by the Head of Service, Orok Bassey Okon, on the recruitment of personnel into the Local Government Service.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Chairman, Eyo Nsa Ekpo, the commission said recruitment into the Unified Local Government Service was its exclusive preserve, subject only to the approval of the governor and in accordance with the relevant laws establishing the commission.
Ekpo said the Head of Service had no constitutional, statutory or administrative authority to recruit personnel into the Local Government Service or interfere with the processes of the commission.
“Recruitment into the Unified Local Government Service is the exclusive preserve of the Local Government Service Commission, subject only to the approval of the Governor and in accordance with the relevant laws establishing the Commission,” Ekpo said.
According to the chairman, the commission would proceed with the government-approved recruitment exercise in a fair, transparent and merit-based manner, adding that a digital recruitment portal would be opened in due course.
He also urged stakeholders to disregard any contrary circular or directive that sought to usurp its lawful functions.
Ekpo commission said persons affected by the cancellation of the previous recruitment exercise who possess the requisite qualifications would be allowed to reapply.
He added that modalities for appropriate compensatory measures for genuine victims of the previous recruitment process were being finalised.
Ekpo said the commission remained committed to due process, transparency and the restoration of public trust in local government administration.
“The Local Government Service Commission under my leadership remains committed to due process, transparency, and the restoration of public trust in local government administration,” the chairman said.