The House of Representatives’ Ad Hoc Committee, currently probing instances of job irregularities within more than 500 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), has expressed its dissatisfaction with the employment allocation procedures observed at the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.
Yusuf Gagdi, the Chairman of the committee, voiced his discontent during a recent fact-finding session. Gagdi accused the Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Engr Clement Onyeaso Nze, of neglecting the principle of Federal Character, which is designed to ensure equitable representation across the nation’s various regions.
Gagdi further highlighted concerns regarding perceived biases in employment classifications and roles, disproportionately affecting specific states and geopolitical zones.
He said ‘You are one of the co-travelers of State In-balancing abuse of Federal Character and nepotism, out of 11 Local Government you carried 7 and shared remain 4 to 16 local Government” aside of being protective of your state as a director then in 2018, to give the employment slot, 11 to Abia after giving to Abia you made sure that 7 are from your Local Government. is this patriotic? some states you gave them drivers Junior Level 1 Level 2, but in your own state state are senior civil servants” Gagdi Said
Chairman Gagdi specifically alleged that Engr Nze had exerted undue influence in the employment of seven individuals hailing from his local government area in Abia State, indicating favoritism in the hiring process.
This situation, the committee asserted, goes against the principles of fairness and equitable representation that should be upheld in national employment practices.