ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Government has firmly rejected allegations of clandestine recruitment and the marginalisation of qualified indigenes in the ongoing employment exercise into state-owned health institutions, insisting that the process remains transparent, merit-driven and open to all eligible applicants across the state.
The rebuttal followed protests staged by some aggrieved community members at the Oghara Teaching Hospital, where demonstrators accused the Ministry of Health of conducting what they described as “secret employment” while allegedly sidelining local applicants and disregarding community recommendations.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, the government acknowledged the constitutional right of citizens to peaceful protest but cautioned against the spread of misinformation capable of creating unnecessary tension within the state’s healthcare system.
The commissioner described the allegations as misleading and inconsistent with the realities surrounding the recruitment exercise, maintaining that the process was designed from inception to comply with established procedures that guarantee fairness, transparency and equal opportunity.
According to him, the employment exercise is structured and verifiable, with applications being assessed strictly on professional competence and qualification, rather than ethnic, communal or political considerations.
Dr. Onojaeme explained that while the government recognises the interest and concerns of host communities where health institutions are located, recruitment into the health sector must remain guided by competence in order to sustain quality healthcare delivery across the state.
He further dismissed insinuations that employment opportunities were being secretly allocated or influenced by external interests, stressing that no recruitment slots had been reserved for any individual, pressure group or community.
The commissioner also refuted claims suggesting that employment placements were being commercialised, warning that such allegations, if left unchecked, could undermine public confidence in a process intentionally structured to uphold integrity and credibility.
He assured applicants and relevant stakeholders that all submissions were undergoing thorough evaluation under uniform standards, adding that no qualified candidate would be denied consideration on the basis of origin, affiliation or community background.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to equity, Dr. Onojaeme said the state government would continue to provide a level playing field for all applicants while sustaining engagement with community leaders and stakeholders to strengthen mutual trust and understanding.
He urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified claims or engaging in actions capable of disrupting healthcare services, noting that dialogue and constructive engagement remain the most effective means of addressing grievances.
The health commissioner reiterated that the administration of Sheriff Oborevwori remains committed to fairness, accountability and excellence in public service recruitment, assuring residents that the exercise would continue to reflect global best practices in transparency and merit.
Dr. Onojaeme commended Governor Oborevwori for approving the recruitment of 700 medical and non-medical personnel into the state health sector, describing the move as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening manpower capacity and improving access to efficient and quality healthcare services across Delta State.
