The Computer Based Test (CBT) recruitment exercise by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), on Saturday, was delayed due to technical problems from the JAMB-approved centre in Kuje.
The exercise was scheduled to commence at the Islamic Leadership Academy at 8 a.m.
JAMB and NNPC officials began the screening exercise for candidates at 7 a.m.
However, the examination could not start at the centre because more than half of the systems were not responding and some were not coming up at all.
Addressing the candidates after an hour of waiting, an NNPC official pleaded with candidates to exercise patience until the problem was resolved.
He said that the technical problems were not from NNPC nor JAMB, stating that the challenge was from the centre.
“I will implore us to exercise some patience. I am an official from NNPC, we have been here since yesterday with officials from JAMB to ensure that everything was okay with the systems.
“In the early hours of this morning, all these systems were coming on and everything was okay but all of a sudden when the light went off, some of the system are not coming up again.
“It’s better that is happening now, not when the exam has already started. But I want to assure you that this exam will definitely hold. The JAMB officials have contacted their office and we are hoping to get a feedback soon,” he said.
Mr Adamu Usman, one of the candidates, said that JAMB centres nationwide also had such technical problems.
He said that the problem was not new to the centre because during the JAMB examination, a lot of the students had to write in batches because most of the systems malfunctioned.
After the centre’s systems failed to function three and half hours behind schedule, a JAMB official addressed the candidates.
The official, who did not give his name, said that instead of waiting indefinitely for the system to function, candidates slated for the 8 a.m. examination would sit for it at 2pm at Central Emirates in Anagada along Zuba-Gwagwalada road.
He said the NNPC would make buses available to convey affected candidates to the new venue.
No fewer than 60,000 candidates sat for the exercise in the country.
Mr Isaiah Inuwa, Chief Operating Officer Corporate Services, disclosed this to newsmen while monitoring some of the CBT centres in Abuja.
He said that the exam was ongoing in about 94 centres in 22 states.
“This is fantastic, you can see everything is going on well. We have two centres here and you see the orderly way people are being screened for accreditation.
“What you see here is on going in about 94 centres in 22 states across the federation.
“This is another way the corporation is showing transparency in carrying out its activities and this has also given Nigerians the opportunity to hold their leaders accountable.
“All the candidates are scheduled with time. Some 8am, some 9am and the questions are not the same because they are computer generated,” he said.
He said that the corporation in collaboration with some instituition worked together to ensure the success of the programme.
At the various centres while some had finished the test, others were awaiting and some were being accredited.
Some of the the candidates said that the process had been transparent so far.
Mr Nkwouh Charles, a candidate at Sanscon International School centre in Maitama said: “The process was smooth, we were identified and given accreditation. There was no confusion here and they started in good time.
“I wrote for graduate category and I am just coming out from the exam hall. I am very hopeful,” he said.
Mr Abraham Joshua, at JC Best International School centre Life camp, said that apart from not starting in good time, acreditation was fast and okay.
“I commend the NNPC for this, this is the first time I have been invited for an interview since I have been applying for jobs.
“I do not know anybody but short listing me in the first place gave me hope that this process will work.
“I believe that since I have gotten to this stage that I will be successful. I am very hopeful,” he added.
But Mr Tunji Ade at the same centre who was supposed to write at 10am but as at 11.30am had not gotten accreditation frowned at the delay.
“Nobody had told us anything but I learnt that they did not start early here.
“I will wait until it is my turn but I am not happy with the delay in time,” he said.
Armed security personnel were present at the various centres visited within the FCT.
