BY CHIJIOKE CHARLES
The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has engaged the management of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) over compliance with the Federal Character Principle, with both institutions agreeing to strengthen adherence to constitutional requirements governing recruitment, promotions and equitable representation across the country.
Afrilensnews reports that the interactive meeting was led by the Chairman of the FCC Committee on Works, Transport and Aviation, Peter Eze, while the COREN delegation was headed by its Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Prof. O.A.U. Uche.
Speaking after the meeting, Eze said the engagement centred on ensuring that COREN fully complies with the Federal Character Principle, particularly in recruitment, promotions and balanced representation of all states and geopolitical zones within the agency.
He stated: “Today, as Chairman of the Federal Character Commission’s Committee on Works, Transport and Aviation, I led an interactive meeting with the management of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), led by its Registrar/CEO, Engr. Prof. O.A.U. Uche.
“The engagement focused on strengthening COREN’s compliance with the Federal Character Principle, particularly in recruitment, promotions, and equitable representation across the federation.”
Eze further disclosed that the committee reiterated the Commission’s new policy reforms aimed at improving transparency and fairness in recruitment across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
According to him, “During the meeting, I reiterated the Commission’s new policy reforms, including the limitation of waivers not to advertise vacancies to once annually (for not more than 125 positions), the mandatory advertisement of vacancies, timely processing of Certificates of Compliance, and the requirement for FCC to monitor all recruitment and promotion exercises.”
He added that the committee also expressed concern over COREN’s staff distribution and stressed the need for the agency’s nominal roll to fully reflect the Federal Character Principle.
Responding, the COREN management acknowledged the committee’s observations and attributed some of its operational challenges to the implementation of the Oronsaye Report.
“In response, COREN acknowledged the observations, explained the challenges that had affected its operations, including the impact of the Oronsaye Report, and pledged full compliance with the Commission’s directives. The agency also committed to carrying the Federal Character Commission along in all future recruitment and promotion exercises,” Eze said.
The committee chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s determination to ensure that all MDAs comply strictly with the Federal Character Principle.
“The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies strictly comply with the Federal Character Principle to guarantee fairness, equity, inclusiveness, and equal opportunities for all Nigerians.”
The meeting comes amid the Federal Character Commission’s intensified oversight of federal agencies to ensure adherence to constitutional provisions designed to promote national unity, equal opportunities and balanced representation in public service employment.
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