Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has actually ordered immediate recruitment into the state civil service to fill the vacuum that may take place due to employees’ retirements.

The new Head of Service (HoS), Mr Timothy Akwaji, disclosed this on Wednesday throughout his maiden meeting with long-term 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 employees will be exiting the service, having actually finished their necessary 35 years in service and this may produce an administrative vacuum if there is no mentoring of those who may be left to keep the service running.

“The guv has, therefore, given approval for the recruitment of workers to cushion the effect of the impending mass retirement from the state civil service.” NAN quoted him as saying.

The Head of Service stressed the requirement for the long-term secretaries to mentor their subordinates, as directors and for other civil servants to admire them as good example.

He stated mentorship in the service has become necessary to enable civil servants discharge their responsibilities efficiently.