The Plateau House of Assembly has invited the state Commissioner of Health, Dr Lar Ndam, to appear before it and explain issues relating to recent employments done by his ministry.

Also invited to appear before the house on Dec. 22 is the Chief Medical Director, Plateau Specialist Hospital, the Chairman, state Civil Service Commission and Chairman, Plateau State Health Management Board.

The decision to invite the officials was taken after a motion of urgent public importance raised by Mr Philip Dasun (APC, Pankshin South) during plenary on Thursday.

Dasun, who is the Deputy Majority Leader, told the House that  the Ministry of Health recently employed new staff but failed to follow the federal character principle.

He said that Plateau had 17 local government areas,and that any employment into the state service should cover all of them to ensure fairness, justice and equity.

“Our constituents have been asking questions on how the employment was done and as their representatives we do not have answers.

“The people are feeling that they have been shortchanged because the federal character principle was not obeyed.

“We want to know the yardstick that was used in engaging the new staff.

“We cannot sit here as representatives of the people and allow our people to be shortchanged,” he said.

The lawmaker said that another concern about the recruitment was that those who had been serving the state as ad hoc staff were not considered in the exercise.

All members who contributed to the debate agreed that the concerned officials should appear before the legislature and brief it on the issues raised.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Abok Ayuba, therefore, approved the constitution of a committee chaired by Mr Livinus  Kwapfuan (APC Shendam) to collate the complaints raised and make recommendations to the assembly.(NAN)

– Dec. 17, 2020 @ 18:54 GMT |