Reps to probe extortion of money from job seekers

The House of Representatives has directed its Joint Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, Anti- corruption, National Ethics and Values and Establishment to investigate alleged extortion of money from  job seekers. The  joint committee has three weeks within which to report its findings.

This resolution followed  a motion by Rep. Tajudeen Yusuf (PDP- Kogi) which was unanimously adopted in Abuja on  Wednesday. Leading the debate, Mr. Yusuf alleged that para-military outfits were indulging in  this unwholesome practice, adding that shortlisted  candidates  were asked to provide items such as T-shirts and canvasses for their  training.

He said  that  desperate and helpless job seekers had fallen prey to the negative attitude of officials in charge of recruitment in the affected agencies. According to him, between  N5,000 and N200, 000 are demanded from  desperate  job seekers. The lawmaker expressed concern that the alleged extortion had not abated as the number  of job seekers increase every year, stressing the need to halt the prevailing situation.

In his contribution, Rep. Peter Akpatason (ACN- Edo) said that employment was being offered  on the basis of cash and carry in place of merit or competency. He stressed the need to investigate it, saying the victims would come up with startling revelations that would assist the joint the committee in  carrying out its assignment.

Rep. Uzor Azubuike (PDP-Abia) said that members of the National Assembly were being blackmailed by MDAs, by asking the prospective candidates to bring  along letters of recommendation from the lawmakers.