C’ River Abolishes Contract Appointments In Public Service

The Cross River State Government has abolished contract appointments in its civil service except on exceptional cases, Mrs Theresa Ikwen, Head of Service (HOS), said in Calabar recently.

Ikwen told journalists that this was to discourage sit-tight syndrome by some public servants.

“It is also to create room for engagement of new entrants into the service,’’ she said.

She, however, said that the state needed manpower in some critical areas like medicine, information technology, science teachers and performing arts.

“We are short of manpower in these areas. We need doctors, nurses, science teachers and performing artists because of our tourism drive.

“These are exceptional areas where we can offer contract appointments; and currently we have staff working under contract,’’ she said.

Ikwen added that her office had so far, within the period under review, promoted 9,506 civil/public servants across board.

She also announced that 21 employees of various ministries, departments and agencies (MDA) were sanctioned for offences, including dereliction of duty, absenteeism and absconding.

“This was done through the use of key performance indicators template on MDA staff,’’ she said.

Ikwen further said that 200 public servants had benefited from the state government’s car loan scheme for public servants which began in 2008.

“In order to equip the workforce for e-governance, we have also concluded arrangements with First Bright Way Vision Ltd to supply officers on Grade Level 07-16 with laptops,’’ she said.

She said that her office was facing challenges, including non-synchronisation of nominal payrolls of MDAs, frequent disappearance of public funds, corruption, and tampering with service records.

She said that the current strength of the state workforce stood at 19,371.

Chairman, Rumuwoji Community, Hon Emmanuel C. Orlu (2nd right), in a handshake with Treasurer of the community, Chief Emmanuel Nti-Woji (right), shortly after the inauguration of the community’s executive committee members last Saturday. With them are Secretary, Ike Wigodo (left) and Vice Chairman, Azubuike A. Nsiegbe.