Job Pledge Row: Ikom, Boki Constituents Seek Lawmaker's Scorecard

By NSAN NDOMA-NEJI, Calabar 

Constituents of Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency in Cross River State have demanded a comprehensive scorecard from their representative in the House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Abang, over alleged unfulfilled federal employment pledges.

The demand was made by a coalition of Concerned Youths and community stakeholders from the two Local Government Areas of Ikom and Boki, who accused the lawmaker of reneging on promises to facilitate federal jobs for qualified indigenes of the constituency.

According to one of the group leaders, Mr. Charles Bissong, the employment promise was made ahead of the 2023 general elections as part of a broader plan to tackle youth unemployment and restiveness in the area.

He explained that following the assurance, names were compiled and Curriculum Vitae submitted across wards, but three years after, there has been no tangible result.

"We were told our sons and daughters would be considered for federal opportunities. We compiled names, submitted CVs, but till today nothing has come out of it," a youth leader from Boki lamented.

Another stakeholder from Ikom Local Government Area, Mr. Sylvester Ndifon, said the agitation should not be mistaken for political patronage, but a call for transparency on what has been achieved so far and what should be expected going forward.

The group therefore called on Hon. Abang to publicly give an account of his stewardship by making available the number of federal employment slots attracted to the constituency since assuming office, the list of beneficiaries, and concrete steps being taken to fulfil the outstanding pledges.

Ndifon stressed that their demand is driven by the need for effective representation and economic survival adding that the group have no personal grudge against the law maker stressing that all they are asking for is his Scorecard.

Reacting to the issue in a telephone interview, Hon. Abang dismissed the allegations, describing them as attacks sponsored by the opposition. "Tell the people what you have for them rather than criticising me who has done so much for our people," he said.