The Federal Commissioner representing Plateau State at the Federal Character Commission Mr. Steve Jings has decried the low representation of Plateau State at the Federal civil service, urging that this needs to be immediately addressed.
Mr. Jings stated this when he led officials of the Commission from the State office on a courtesy visit to Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the Government House Rayfield Jos.
He said there is poor representation of Plateau State in many Federal Government MDAs as some either have no Plateau indegenes or very few who are far and between. This he said is not fair to the State as it does not have a voice in such system and will eventually not share in the experiences that accrues from such service.
Jings said many factors are responsible including recruitment done without advertisements, inability of the recruiting MDAs to pass timely and relevant messages through relevant channels, and sometimes deliberate efforts to scheme the State out.
He also identified the lack of curiosity and struggle by applicants from the State to prospect, apply and follow the guidelines for such recruitments which makes it difficult to have them employed.
Mr. Jings also said the Commission is looking at the distribution of projects and programmes across the country in order to ensure that Federal Character is observed.
Governor Lalong said he was impressed by the efforts of the Federal Commissioner who has demonstrated capacity and has been very proactive since his appointment in trying to address such issues that leave the State shortchanged.
The Governor said though the State was grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Plateau sons and daughters into some Federal positions, the State still needs more because of its support for the Government and its performance during elections
On employment into Federal Government MDAs, Lalong said the State will no longer sit and watch its citizens being left out from Federal job opportunities as this is a right that accrues to every State.
He asked the Federal Commissioner to liaise with the Plateau representative at the Federal Civil Service Commission for the possibility of having some State civil servants moving to the Federal civil service for more experience and contributions to the nation.
The Governor however advised the citizens of the State to be ambitious and also put their efforts in applying for vacancies when they arise and also see moving out of Jos when they are given the opportunity as a step forward which will not only benefit the State, but the nation at the long run.
