The Ebonyi State Civil Service Commission has assured workers who missed the ongoing confirmation exercise that they will be given another opportunity to appear before the screening panel as the exercise enters its third week.
The assurance was given against the backdrop of the ongoing review of the records and service status of workers across ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, under the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru.
The exercise, being supervised by the commission chaired by Lady Virginia Okemini Oketa, is part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen the civil service and ensure that personnel records are properly scrutinised.
Oketa, who spoke on the exercise, described the screening as demanding but said it had progressed smoothly, with the commission covering considerable ground since its commencement.
She assured workers who were unable to appear before the panel on their scheduled dates that they would not be shut out of the process.
The chairman said arrangements would be made to enable affected workers to participate in the exercise, stressing that the commission was committed to ensuring due process and a comprehensive review of relevant records.
The commission comprises Chief Chris Uchaji, Member I; Hon Ude-Aja Donatus, Member II; Hon Pastor Vincent Awoke, Member III; and Hon Mrs Lucy Ofefe, Member IV.
For more than three weeks, the commissioners and other officials have been screening and interviewing workers drawn from various MDAs as part of the confirmation process.
Some of the workers who appeared before the panel expressed satisfaction with the exercise, describing it as an opportunity for their records and service status to be properly reviewed.
The workers also expressed appreciation to the state government for the initiative and pledged renewed commitment to their duties if confirmed.
The Committee Chairman on Recruitment and Confirmation, Chief Chris Uchaji, said the commission would accommodate workers who had genuine issues affecting their participation in the exercise.
Uchaji disclosed that a mop-up exercise would be organised for workers who could not participate in the ongoing screening, assuring them that they would be given the opportunity to present their cases before the panel.
He said the date for the mop-up exercise would be announced by the commission soon.
According to him, the additional exercise would enable affected workers to defend their cases and resolve issues relating to their records or inability to appear before the panel during the scheduled screening.
The confirmation exercise forms part of the state government’s broader civil service reform programme, with the commission undertaking the screening to ensure that personnel records are properly verified before confirmation.
The commission’s assurance is expected to provide relief to workers who missed their scheduled appearances while allowing the authorities to address outstanding cases before the conclusion of the exercise.
