Reps suspends FCT agency’s staffing over federal character concerns

THE House of Representatives has suspended the recruitment of 600 persons recently enrolled in the Internal Revenue Service ( IRS) of the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT).

Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, Abubakar Kusada, ordered the suspension after an interactive meeting of the committee and the FCT IRS Chairman, Abdullahi Attah, and other senior officials of the agency over the issue at the National Assembly.

The exercise, according to Kusada, was done in flagrant disregard and non- compliance with the provision of Chapter 2 ( 14) ( 3) and the Third Schedule Part 1 C & ( 1) of the Constitution on the agency’s recruitment of staff.

Consequently, the lawmakers resolved that the recruitment be suspended till the committee is satisfied that the provision of the law on Federal Character is complied with by the agency.

Sequel to this, the Committee Chairman vide a letter on October 13, 2021 referenced NASS / HR/ 9/ CT/ 37/ 27/ 17 had requested that the Executive Chairman FCT IRS, Abdullahi Attah, avail the committee the documents relating to the exercise.

The lawmaker further requested that 50 hard copies and a soft copy of the documents requested be submitted by the agency to the committee’s secretariat not later that Monday October 18, 2021.