By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
In response to recent retirements and resignations within the Ebonyi Civil Service, Governor Ogbonnaya Nwifuru has initiated a recruitment drive to address the growing vacancies in the state.
Announcing this development on Thursday, September 21, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, disclosed that a staggering 17,834 applications flooded in from eager job seekers, all vying for the 1,454 available positions.
Mr. Okpor clarified that out of the pool of applicants, only 5,352 individuals met the requirement of submitting their Original Certificates alongside their applications, while the remaining candidates submitted their statements of results.
The commissioner emphasized that the Council had resolved to prioritize applicants who adhered to the submission of Original Certificates for eligibility during the shortlisting process. However, he added that those who didn’t attach their certificates but can provide them before the screening date would also be given a fair chance.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, serving as the Chairman of the executive council, stressed the importance of a merit-based recruitment process to ensure equal opportunities for all applicants.
Additionally, the Council urged the Civil Service Commission to expedite the recruitment process to conclude it as swiftly as possible.
In a separate development, regarding the payment of gratuity to retired civil servants in the state, the commissioner revealed that the Council had greenlit the immediate commencement of payments, starting from September 21, 2023, with an allocated sum of N3,851,763,617.65.
Mr. Okpor clarified, “The initial estimate provided to EXCO was approximately N4.3 billion. However, after careful compilation and computation, it was determined that the current number of eligible beneficiaries stands at 1,715, aligning with the approved sum during council deliberations.”
Furthermore, the Council received a report on the state of the Ebonyi State Pulverization Plant at Okposi Umuoghara in Ezza North Local Government Area. It approved the acquisition of a new Recycling Machine for installation at the plant to advance the state’s Waste-to-Wealth vision.
The commissioner stated, “Council has tasked the Commissioner for Environment to collaborate with the Capital City Development counterpart to develop an effective waste management solution for the state capital, addressing the issue of indiscriminate waste disposal.”
Lastly, the Council discussed matters related to the State’s Fertilizer and Chemical Plant at Onuebonyi. It was revealed that previous issues stemmed from the former General Manager’s refusal to vacate office despite the former Governor’s dissolution of appointees. The audit panel also uncovered financial impropriety.
Mr. Okpor outlined the recommendations, including referring the matter to the state Attorney General, charging the former GM for using state storage facilities for his private company, proper constitution of the Board of Directors for supervision, and involving the police for investigating other allegations of wrongdoing.
Concluding his statement, the commissioner noted that the former GM’s conduct did not align with the code of conduct for public officers, and further actions would be considered at the next EXCO meeting.