The Bonny Integrated Recruitment Center (BIRC) has been under persistent and unnecessary incursion over the past months, over claims of unfounded system impropriety and misgivings against Finima Community. Ordinarily, the BIRC would have simply continued with the fair and balanced discharge of our established functions without a reaction to such empty accusations. Fortunately, the Stakeholders in Bonny Governance structure would have us remain accountable to the people irrespective of how spurious and ridiculous the allegation may be.

First of all, we have to understand and establish the following facts:

• Employment management and regulation is 100% the function of Government

• There is one and only one legitimate agency established and recognized by constituted authorities in Bonny Local Government Area to oversee and administer all matters relating to employment in Bonny Local Government Area.

• The interest and effort of any individual or group of people under any guise or nomenclature (community, skill association, youth organization, etc) to wield authority, manage employment or discharge any functions of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without legislation shall only be an effort in futility, only to cause disorder and disaffection amongst the citizenry.

I believe that the explanation above makes it easy to understand that there won’t be multiple employment administrators/agencies in Bonny Local Government Area, besides the Bonny Integrated Recruitment Centre (BIRC). Therefore, we call for the ceasefire of all attacks and clandestine manoeuvring to become a parallel employment administrator. Misnomers of this sort may have happened in the past in different communities where economic opportunities are present, as a people of one LGA and under one Government; we need to understand and embrace the reality that the days of communities, youth organisations and skill associations exercising the authority and functions of Government are over.

It is public records that on the 23rd of February 2006, a resolution was reached in a Bonny Stakeholders Meeting held before a former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Gabriel Toby. The resolution established an employment ratio that gave Finima Community employment quota of 40% and 60% to the rest Communities in Bonny LGA; Bonny Integrated Recruitment Centre has maintained and implemented this pact meticulously for transparency, accountability and administrative ease. These noble ambassadors partake, supervise and receive records of employment and quotas due them in accordance with the subsisting employment sharing ratio.

It is imperative to state that the Bonny Integrated Recruitment Centre is not responsible for the choice and person that is nominated by the respective Chieftaincy Houses and stakeholders to represent their family interest, it is within the purview of the House Leadership to nominate anyone: youth leader or any male/female youth of their House that they deem fit to represent them. It is not the exclusive right of any youth or community leader to assume representation at the BIRC or become a makeshift employment administrator simply by default. I make bold to state that as at the time of the publication of this press release, the Vice Chairman of the Bonny Integrated Recruitment Centre is a respected son of Finima Community; also the three Chieftaincy Houses in Finima Community are lawfully represented by their nominees.

May I seize this opportunity to state for the records that the 40% employment ratio due Finima Community as enshrined in the resolution reached in the Bonny Stakeholders Meeting of 23rd February of 2006 has always been upheld and shared as follow: Brown House 60%, Tobin House 20% and Attoni House 20%. Therefore, let it be known that Finima Community and the Chieftaincy Houses therein have never and will never be shortchanged by the BIRC as records of available employment opportunities, applicable quotas and distribution ratios are always made available for public knowledge and scrutiny.

To checkmate the current situation that make it still possible for employment racketeering by some unscrupulous elements, BIRC under the present leadership is working hard at digitalizing the entire processes of Employment in Bonny LGA. This will be made public soon.

God bless you all, abundantly.

Amasenibo Louis A. Banigo, Jnr

Chairman, Bonny Integrated Recruitment Centre (BIRC)