The Federal Government has announced plans to commence screening and examinations for senior cadre officers in the nation’s paramilitary services to address existing vacancies at top management levels.

The Chairman of the Civil Defence, Corrections, Fire and Immigration Service Board and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this during a media briefing following the board’s meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

Tunji-Ojo stated that the vacancies exist at senior managerial levels across the four paramilitary agencies: the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigerian Correctional Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

To fill these gaps, he said officers below the ranks of Deputy Controllers and Assistant Controllers will be considered for promotion to these positions within the next month.

“Most of our services now do not have Deputy Controller-Generals, and if we have, there are not many. Therefore, in line with the federal character principle, these positions have to be filled. It was one of the key decisions taken during our meeting that these positions should be occupied with immediate effect, including that of Assistant Controller-General,” he said.

Represented by the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Engineer Jaji Abdulganiyu, the minister emphasised that a rigorous screening exercise would be conducted, followed by an examination to select eligible officers for these key positions.

Highlighting the significance of these ranks in enhancing service efficiency and management, the minister noted that some agencies currently have officers covering duties without formal appointments, which is not ideal for effective governance.

He said, “As a result of that, the board has decided that this process will commence from Monday, March 9, when the accreditation of officers for the exercise will take place. The accreditation will run from March 9 to March 11.

“By the end of March, the exercise should have been concluded. That is the decision of the board for the positions of Deputy Controller-General and Assistant Controller-General in the four services.”

Tunji-Ojo also revealed that discussions were held on the official handbook for the board, adding that an approval process is underway.

According to him, the handbook, once finalised, will be circulated to all services and made accessible to the public. (The PUNCH)