BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR

ABUJA – Against the backdrop of plans by the Police Service Commission to employ 800 Police Cadets and ASPs, the Federal Character Commission, FCC, yesterday implored the PSC to ensure that strict adherence to the policy of equal national spread was applied in the recruitment of the officers.

Speaking when he led a delegation to the Police Service Commission, Chairman, Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee of the FCC, Dr. Martins Okey, disclosed that by virtue of section 153 of the 1999 constitution, the Federal Character Commission had a duty to ensure that things were done in a manner that would command national satisfaction.

“We have been told that 400 cadet inspectors and 400 ASPs will be recruited, making it 800 officers. Our visit to the PSC is to emphasize the need to ensure equitable distribution and spread during the recruitment.

“It should be such that the interest of every geo-political zone in the country is protected,” Okey charged.

Explaining that standards should not be lowered or merit overlooked during the recruitment, Dr. Okey said adhering  to constitutional provisions would only make the process more credible and acceptable to stakeholders.

In his response, Chairman, Police Service Commission, DIG Parry Osayande (rtd), commended the FCC for showing interest in the planned recruitment of the officers, saying all government agencies should be seen to be working together to achieve national objectives.

He said:  “Today, the PSC is the largest employer of labour and this is because the police have serious role of providing security, ensuring law and order for all Nigerians, even in the remotest village.

“Aside that, the PSC came about to ensure that the rights of the minority are not trampled upon in matters of recruitment.”

He assured that the recruitment would be done in such a way that it was distributed equally among states, local government and districts levels, but warned that merit would not be sacrificed.

He also noted that the character of those recruited would play a big role because “we want people who will maintain law and order, not rogues or fraudsters.”