Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has purchased instant recruitment into the state civil service to fill the vacuum that might take place due to employees’ retirements.

The new Head of Service (HoS), Mr Timothy Akwaji, divulged this on Wednesday during his first meeting with irreversible secretaries on Wednesday in Calabar.

Akwaji stated the production of Akwa Ibom from Cross River in 1987 caused a mass exodus of civil servants to the brand-new state, leading to mass recruitment by the state federal government to fill the attendant vacant positions.

“Most of these workers will be leaving the service, having completed their compulsory 35 years in service and this may create an administrative vacuum if there is no mentoring of those who might be left to keep the service running.

“The guv has, therefore, given approval for the recruitment of employees to cushion the impact of the upcoming mass retirement from the state civil service.” NAN estimated him as saying.

The Head of Service worried the requirement for the permanent secretaries to coach their subordinates, as directors and for other civil servants to admire them as good example.

He stated mentorship in the service has actually become required to enable civil servants discharge their duties effectively.