By Iniemem Ndueso
Akwa Ibom State Government has allayed the fears of candidates who passed the CBT exercise but were unable to attend the oral interview on their designated dates in the current civil service recruitment exercise.
There will be no penalty for absentees, rather a spillover date will be given to such candidates to go and express themselves.
This clarification was made by the Chairman of Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Ekereobong Umoh, on Tuesday, when the Documentary Team led by the Senior Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso, visited to witness the interview process.
Mrs. Umoh commended the Governor for upholding fairness in the recruitment process by giving all candidates a leveled ground.
She stressed that the Governor was instrumental in facilitating a special ‘spillover’ opportunity for candidates who successfully passed the CBT but were unable to attend the oral interview, enabling them to complete the process.
“You can’t punish the candidates because so many reasons could have made them not to meet up the date given to them.
“There was a candidate who had an accident on his way from Calabar, when they told us, I told the person not to worry as there will be another day set aside for those who missed out. “
Mrs. Umoh explained that spreading the exercise in sectors or areas of specialty, ensures the smooth process devoid of complications.
“The interviews commenced with health practitioners, followed by engineering professionals, accountants and then sub-professionals cadres like information officers and public relations professionals.
“Recall the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service Commission Oral interview commenced on Monday, January 26, so Implementing the sectors helped ensure orderliness and efficiency making the process speedily.”
It also enables the ease of gathering specialists to be on the panel for the interviews, she said.
She added that two panels of interviewers were deployed to enhance efficiency and streamline the process.
Each panel is chaired by a designated official, included officers from the Head of Civil Service and Department of Establishment.
Also speaking with the team, some of the candidates expressed satisfaction with the process.
One of them, Mr. Obioata Ekanem, a candidate for the information officer role, commended the government for the transparency and fairness in the exercise.
“I was nervous at first, but the panel was very professional and fair making the environment conducive.”
The civil service interview process is expected to continue in batches until all shortlisted candidates have appeared before the panel, after which successful applicants will be announced.
