PUBLIC COMPLAINTS COMMISSION (OMBUDSMAN) AND WORKERS’ RIGHTS IN AKWA IBOM STATE PUBLIC SERVICE

Abstract

The issue of careless infringement on the fundamental rights of workers by the employers has become a problematic scenario in Nigeria. The Public Complaints Commission has a primary mandate to address the menace. This study examines the role of Ombudsman in its mandate to investigate, issues regarding unlawful dismissal of employees and careless infringement on the fundamental rights of employees of workers in Akwa Ibom State Public Service. Structural Functionalism Theory was used to guide the study, descriptive survey design with a study population of 2175 and sample size of 338 reviewed cases. The study utilized data from primary (quantitative) and secondary (qualitative) sources, Content analysis was used to analyze the hypotheses. The study revealed that Public Complaints Commission (Ombudsman) endeavored to checkmate excesses in Akwa Ibom State Public service. The study recommended that: the Public Complaints Commission ACT CAP 377, Section 237(5) of the 1999 constitution should be reviewed to expand the scope of Ombudsman; that every state in the country should be prevailed upon to replicate the provisions of the commission to reflect the geopolitical structure of each state; and that both the Public Complaints Commission should be properly funded for effective performance of their duties

Keywords: Public Complaints Commission, Ombudsman, Public Service, Workers’ Rights, Akwa Ibom State.