The three senators jointly sponsored a bill read on floor of the Senate Tuesday, raised the alarm over alleged confirmation of Etim for another reappointment and tenure for five years, said it was not according to the rotation arrangement that was earlier carried out.
According to them the last appointment held by Mr. Simon Etim from Akwa Ibom expired in June, 2018, therefore described the move to confirm Etim’s appointment as “unfair and discriminatory to Cross River State.”
They also gave a background of tenure and rotation of appointments in the Federal Service that there are 14 commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission and a Chairman appointed every five (5) years.
They said: “In the last four (4) appointments the rotation has been as follows,Commissioner A.B Odey1996 –2001 Cross River state; Commissioner Aniefiok Obong Uwa2001 –2007Akwa Ibom state;.Commissioner Akpama Akpama 2008 -2013 Cross River state; and Commissioner Etim J. Simon 2013 -2018 Akwa Ibom state.
“Rather than appoint a Commissioner from Cross River State as has been the practice of the rotation. Mr. Samuel Etim is being put up for confirmation for another five years, and very alarmed that this decision will be unfair and discriminatory to Cross River State.
“This action is capable of disenfranchising the teaming youths of Cross River State who are waiting for the opportunity of their own representative to facilitate their employment potentials in the Federal Service.”
They further stated that, “Eminently qualified candidates from Cross River State with requisite qualifications for consideration include Dr Mary Theresa Ikwen (mni 15 years), Rtd Permanent Secretary and former Head of Service, and Mr Bassey Kuffrey (mni), Retired Permanent Secretary.
“We appeal to the Federal Government that for equity and justice, harmony between states and peace the rotation be maintained.”
“We therefore resolve and advice government to revert to its practice of rotating appointments of Federal Civil Service Commissioners between Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
“Accordingly nominate a qualified person from Cross River State for the appointment into the Federal Civil Service Commission as Commissioner that commences in 2018 for five years.”
