Abuja – The Federal Character Commission (FCC) on Monday called for a comprehensive database for equitable infrastructure and manpower distribution in the country

The Director, Monitoring and Enforcement in the commission, Mr David Fakeye, made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

“The database would ensure equity and fairness.”

Mr David Fakeye

The second mandate of the commission is to monitor the distribution of socio-economic amenities, projects and programmes to ensure equity and fairness.

“A comprehensive database in key sectors of the economy will enable the commission to track, monitor and evaluate whether they meet the geographical spread,” Fakeye said.

Over the years, he said the commission had consistently mobilised Nigerians, especially the major stakeholders to buy into the concept of nation building through collective fair sharing of opportunities.

“The frightening lopsidedness in the manpower distribution of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) is a product of history and redress will take gradual process, particularly at the entry level”, he added.

He listed none advertisement of vacant positions and not giving the stipulated duration of advertisement notices by various government offices as part of the commission’s challenges.

Others are none submission of candidates’ short list to the commission prior to interview, not allocating slots to states or zone prior to interview, and refusing to summit nominal rolls and quarterly returns.

He said there were other offices that had refused to declare vacancies arising from deaths, resignations, dismissals, retirements, among others.

“These are the ruinous infractions, if left unchecked, could risk not only the commission’s principles, but the corporate existence of the country.

“This explains why the commission has been mobilising all stakeholders, especially the MDAs to buy into the principles of the commission.

“Unfortunately, most elites feel a sense of exclusive privilege and entitlement regarding certain governmental positions occupied by them; they use such positions to entrench their interests.

“This is inimical to unity and peaceful co-existence of the nation”, he said.

Fakeye added that the commission would continue to discharge its duties and would not be deterred by the activities of some Nigerians, who he described as “unpatriotic.”

– NAN