By Anietie Akpan
The Akwa Ibom State Government has commenced the final stage of its recruitment exercise with oral interviews for all candidates who scored above 50 at the computer based written tests last year.
The Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Ekereobong Umoh, during the commencement of the exercise in her commission on Monday, stated that the exercise is starting with the health sector in line with the specific directive of Governor Umo Eno to bolster the state’s medical workforce.
Mrs. Umoh noted that the commission is currently screening pharmacists, radiographers, medical professionals and pharmacy technicians.
“We are starting with the health sector that has about 25 cadres that we are going to address in the next two weeks or so,” she said. “His Excellency gave a separate approval that many health workers should be brought in to strengthen the service.”
She commended the Governor for establishing a smooth and merit-based process, emphasizing that the era of political patronage in recruitment has been replaced by a system where if you pass, you pass.
Mrs. Umoh revealed that only candidates who scored 50% and above in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) were shortlisted for the oral interview and anyone who sundered to the venue without the required score is shown the door immediately.
The Commission Chairman issued a stern warning to candidates to come with original copies of their certificates, stressing that the Civil Service does not offer appointments based on notification of results alone.
“From what we’ve seen today, some candidates came with notification of results. We have told them they must go back and bring their original certificates. That is what the civil service handles,” Umoh clarified.
She further explained that the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy is actively involved in the exercise, handling the accreditation of qualified candidates to ensure the integrity of the process.
Addressing concerns over “godfatherism,” Mrs. Umoh assured the public that the exercise would be transparent and based strictly on vacancy positions and merit.
“A lot of persons know me. I have my integrity and I will work to fulfill what His Excellency intended. If you don’t have any person, you have God and you have the process set up by the Governor; then you are good to go,” she asserted.
She added that while the state cannot fill all vacancies in a single day, successful candidates will be placed based on available positions in the service.
Some of the candidates expressed satisfaction with the seamless process of the exercise.
They thanked Governor Umo Eno for creating a conducive environment and said the exercise was credible.
Dr. Victor Edom, an indigene of Uruan Local government, thanked Governor Umo Eno for creating a conducive environment and said he was invited after scoring over 70 in the CBT test.
“I got the email inviting me to the test on Friday and I thank God I have been able to make it to the oral interview today. I appreciate the Governor for this transparent process.”
