Gov Ben Ayade
From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
Several pregnant women and nursing mothers were among thousands of applicants who thronged the U.J Esuene Stadium on Saturday as the Cross River State Government commenced the first phase of the screening exercise for recruitment into its Green Police.
The exercise which started with a two-kilometre walk from UJ Esuene stadium through MCC and Murtala Muhammed Highway and back, saw thousands of young people aged between 18 and 35 years queue up as early as 7 am to be shortlisted as cadets.
Others included former councillors as well as those above 40 years who are unemployed.
Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River said he was saddened by what the exercise in Calabar had clearly revealed – a depressing unemployment situation not only in Cross River but the entire country.
He said: “I feel very sad that this is the kind of situation that confronts us as a people and as a nation.
” I have always maintained that my government is for the very poor. I completely agree with the philosophy of my predecessor, His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke that governance should be taken to those who need it the most. I am guided by this philosophy.
“What I have seen here today, the challenge is on me to create more jobs for our teeming unemployed youths.”
Speaking at the venue of the recruitment exercise, Permanent Secretary, Forestry Commission, Dr Perpetua Aji, said that she was overwhelmed by the turnout including pregnant women whom she described as unfit for the paramilitary job.
“The exercise was borne out of Governor Ben Ayade’s desire to increase the forest cover of the state, with aggressive and massive planting of trees, raising nursery beds, so we need people to participate to actualize this dream.
“The purpose of establishing Green Police in the state is to protect the forest, plant trees, protect the coastal land amongst other environmental conservation programmed in their respective communities under Forestry Commission,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary also disclosed that although the advertisement was restricted to OND and NCE as the highest qualifications, those with higher qualifications including PhD have also been jostling to be employed into the Green Police due to lack of employment.
One of the pregnant women and mother of three, Mrs Esther Manson, from Akamkpa Local Government Area who attended recruitment said.
“I know it is risky for me to do this exercise, I want to assist my husband to support the house. I don’t want to be left behind, she said.
More than 8,000 people submitted applications for the recruitment exercise.
The first phase of the recruitment exercise covered the seven local council areas of the Southern Senatorial District attracted 4,000 applicants.
Recruitment will also take place in the central and northern senatorial districts of the state.
About 1,500 persons would be recruited into the special force by the state government which also promised to create 1,000 jobs in his hundred days in office.
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