The representative member of the FCT- Northern Constituency in the House of Representatives, Joshua Obika, has urged the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) to correct the asymmetry against the territory in its recruitment process.
Mr. Obika also reiterated his commitment to offer development-oriented representation through partnering with all agencies concerned with the well-being of FCT residents.
He made these remarks when he paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner who represents FCT and the State of Niger in the Commission, Shehu Danyaya.
Mr. Obika expressed concern about Abuja being allocated only a third of what states receive during recruitment.
Therefore, he asked to know if there was any reason known by law for which FCT should be treated as such.
He drew attention to article 299 of the Constitution, which establishes that the provisions of the Constitution shall apply to the Federal Capital Territory as if it were one of the states of the Federation.
Mr. Obika emphasized that FCT today has more population than many states and has a larger amount of skilled labor than most states in the federation which receive triple what is given to Abuja.
The lawmaker cited the fact that Abuja was home to the headquarters of federal government agencies, as well as its sacrifices in terms of land and other resources, as one of the main reasons why it should be given special consideration compared to the states when it comes to hiring.
He said: “It is very worrying to see Abuja being downgraded to a third-rate status when it comes to recruitment into the Federal Civil Service,” he said.
Mr. Obika therefore called on the commission to take urgent action to correct the imbalance being given to the FCT in the interests of fairness and justice.
He also drew attention to the recent appointment of a Federal Capital Territory minister, describing it as a positive acknowledgment of long-standing demands by FCT residents for proper consideration and representation on the Federal Executive Council.
He urged the FCSC to emulate the good example of the federal government in correcting the imbalance.
Earlier, Mr. Danyaya welcomed the visitor and noted that the FCSC’s mandates include recruiting, promoting and disciplining all federal public servants.
Mr. Danyaya revealed that every time there are vacancies in the Federal Civil Service, FCT allocates a third of what is given to the states of the federation.
The commissioner said it had been so long since he took office probably because while states elect three senators, the FCT only elects one.
Mr. Danyaya said that the Federal Civil Service Commission, unlike other commissions like the Federal Character Commission, has 15 commissioners because the commissioners represent groups of two or three states.
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This, he said, explains why FCT/Niger State has a commissioner. These representatives rotate among the constituent states at the expiration of the term of each sitting commissioner.
He pointed out that the commission has been working in the performance of its mandate and guarantees the observance of the principle of federal character in all recruitments in the Federal Civil Service.
He thanked the legislator for the visit and vowed to work with him to ensure that both the FCT and the state of Niger receive their fees from the commission.
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