Lift embargo on employment into MDAs, Reps urge Tinubu 

The House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously tasked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the urgent need to lift embargo on employment into all Federal establishments without further delay.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Francis Waive.

In his lead debate, Hon. Waive lamented that the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari amid the recession that hit the economy in the country due to the huge drop in the international price of crude oil at the time and Covid-19 pandemic placed an embargo on employment in Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government.

“The House recalls that the 9th House of Representatives passed a resolution calling on the then President to lift the embargo on employment.

“The House also notes that the reports in social media that the embargo had been lifted but there is no evidence of any employment taking place whatsoever.

“The House is aware that for several years there has not been any employment in the Civil Service of theFederation, thereby creating a shortage of manpower, especially in the junior and middle-level cadre as officers are promoted and some retire and others die.

“The House is also aware that some Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs have resorted to engaging casual staff who are paid from their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and other sources, while it is sad that these casual staffs are non-pensionable, the act of spending government money without appropriation by the legislature for whatever purpose is illegal.

“The House is concerned that the withdrawal of subsidy on petroleum products has increased the hardship of jobless Nigerian youths and appreciates the measures planned by the President to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

“The House believes that a lifting of the embargo on employment and going ahead to employ young qualified Nigerians should be a part of Mr. President’s rescue measures as some of the savings from the removal of the subsidy could be used in this direction,” he noted.

While urging President Tinubu to reverse the policy, the lawmakers tasked the Federal Civil Service Commission and such relevant bodies to immediately act upon Mr President’s directive in this regard.

In line with the resolution, the House mandated the joint Committees on Public Service Matters, Labour and Employment (when constituted) to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

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