Recruitment irregularities: Anxiety as Senate grills PENCOM

Senate

The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs has intensified its investigation into alleged recruitment irregularities at the National Pension Commission, uncovering significant imbalances in staff distribution across local government areas, states, and regions.

At a public hearing held on Thursday in Abuja, the committee, chaired by Distinguished Senator Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers East) queried PENCOM’s non-compliance with the Federal Character Principle, following concerns raised by stakeholders about marginalisation in the commission’s hiring practices.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Onyesoh’s Special Adviser on Publicity and Communications, Peter Oriri.

Appearing before the committee, the Director-General of PENCOM, Mrs. Omolola Oworonran, alongside the Executive Secretary and other senior officials of the commission, admitted that disparities exist in regional staff representation.

She acknowledged that some local governments and states are significantly overrepresented, while others remain underrepresented.

According to documents reviewed by the committee, PENCOM’s recruitment since its last exercise in 2021 revealed notable discrepancies.

For instance, Delta State reportedly has 16 staff members, with six from a single local government area. Ebonyi has six, with four from one LGA; Edo has 12, with five from one LGA; and Gombe has 19, with 11 from one LGA. Punch