Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, the Commissioner for Information in Cross River State, has announced that Governor Bassey Otu has lifted a 25-year embargo on employment in the state civil service, News About Nigeria reports.
In his announcement on Wednesday, the commissioner stated that the last mass employment in the state took place in 1999.
He said that the state government plans to recruit 2,000 new employees in the first phase, with the recruitment process commencing immediately across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
“The immediate past administration attempted to employ more people, but the current government discovered numerous flaws in that process,” Ekpang explained.
“The state civil service is nearly depleted, and we are pleased that the governor has recognized the need to recruit new personnel at this time.”
When questioned about the possibility of implementing a N70,000 minimum wage, Ekpang stated that it would be considered at the appropriate time.
Governor Otu has also expressed his appreciation to the people of Cross River State for not participating in the nationwide “Hunger Protest,” which began on August 1. He particularly commended the state’s youth for maintaining peace.
In a related development, Governor Otu has approved the recruitment of 31 medical doctors, 153 nurses, and 22 pharmacists to address the critical manpower shortage in the state’s health sector.
Dr. Henry Ayuk, the Commissioner for Health, stated that the move is urgent, noting that only 20 doctors and 938 nurses currently serve a population of approximately 3.4 million people.
“This is a concerning situation, and as a government, we are determined to address it,” Ayuk stated.
“Strengthening the workforce in the health sector will significantly improve healthcare service delivery in the state.”
The governor’s approval has been communicated to the relevant implementing agencies, including the State Planning Commission, the Office of the Head of Service, and the Civil Service Commission, for immediate action.
