From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
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.
Mr Jings made the disclosure when he led officials of the commission from the state office on a courtesy visit to Governor Simon Lalong at the Government House in Jos, Plateau State.
He told the governor that, there is no adequate representation of Plateau State in many Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as some either have no Plateau indigene or have very few.
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 accrue from such service.
Mr Jings, a one time local government chairman of Pankshin, 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.
The federal commissioner 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.
He equally said the commission is looking at the distribution of projects and programmes across the country, in order to ensure that federal character is observed.
Responding to the agitations by the federal commissioner, 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.
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 moved 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 in the long run.
He 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 to the federal government and its performance during the 2015 and 2019 general elections.