Reps say law to criminalise secret recruitment by govt agencies underway

Reps say law to criminalise secret recruitment by govt agencies underway

- House of Reps has said that secret recruitments by the federal agencies would soon attract penalties

- This would become a reality if the lower House eventually passes the proposed bill on the act

- It has been alleged that some MDAs recruit their staff without making the employment public

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The secret recruitments by the Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government may soon become a criminal offence with severe punishment.

Punch reports that the House of Representatives is considering a law that would criminalise the illegal and illicit acts by the MDAs.

Legit.ng gathered that any recruitment by any MDAs without publishing the vacancy would become illegal and attract a fine if the bill becomes law.

Reps say law to criminalise secret recruitment by govt agencies underway
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, in a meeting with his colleagues. Credit: @SpeakerGbaja
Source: Facebook

The bill was proposed in the prohibition of secret recruitment in the federal civil service bill 2020 sponsored by Teejay Yusuf.

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The bill, which is awaiting second reading, is titled, ‘A bill for an act to prohibit secret recruitment in the federal public service and to make elaborate provisions for transparency in recruitment in the public service through the publication of vacancies and for other matters connected therewith.’

The lawmaker said the bill seeks to promote integrity and transparency in the recruitment of personnel into the federal civil service by making it an offence for a federal ministry, agency or parastatal to fill existing vacancies in their organisations if such vacancies have not been published.

The bill read in part:

“It shall be the policy of the federal government to promote efficiency in the allocation of personnel in the federal civil service, as well as transparency and equal opportunities in the recruitment and hiring of new personnel.
“Accordingly, it shall be an offence for any Federal Government ministry, agency or parastatal to fill a vacancy in their establishment unless the vacancies are well publicised before the commencement of the recruitment exercise.

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“The publication referred to in Subsection 2 shall be in two national newspapers. Any person who violates the provisions of Section 2 (2) of this Act commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand Naira (N100,000) or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months or to both."

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the federal government announced that it would commence the special job initiative which is designed to employ 774,000 Nigerians nationwide.

It was reported that the minister of state for labour and employment, Festus Keyamo, made this known on Sunday, January 3, via his official Twitter handle.

He explained that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the commencement of the initiative designed for artisans.

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Source: Legit.ng

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Wale Akinola avatar

Wale Akinola Wale Akinola is a passionate journalist and researcher. He is the Head of Desk, Politics and Current Arts, Legit.ng. He holds both B. A and Master’s degree in Communications and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan. He also holds a Diploma Certificate in Peace Journalism. He has over 15 years of work experience in both print and online media. You can reach him via +2348054137974 or wale.akinola@corp.legit.ng.