Local News
Katsina Unmasks 3,488 Ghost Workers, Forgeries in LG Payroll
The Katsina State Government has uncovered 3,488 ghost workers, certificate and birthday forgers and underage employees under its local government payroll as part of ongoing efforts to revamp the local government system in the state.
The defaulters were uncovered by the government through a Biometric Screening Committee on staff of the 34 Local Government Councils and Local Education Authorities.
Presenting its findings at the State Executive Council Meeting, the Chairman of the Committee, Abdullahi Gagare, said some of the 3,488 personnel indulged in other fraudulent acts such as illegal promotions and abscondment from duty.
He said out of the 50,172 staff screened by the committee, 46,380 were successfully verified while 3,488 were removed for presenting fake credentials, absconding from duty, engaging in fraud and refusing to appear before the committee.
“The committee uncovered serious irregularities including falsification of birth dates, fake certificates, underage employment, ghost workers, absenteeism, illegal promotions, and cases where staff positions were sublet to others”, he added.
He reiterated that the committee recovered N4.6 million from the local government workers who collect salaries from both the state and federal agencies and six others who receive salaries while on leave of absence.
He further disclosed that the education secretary of Zango local education authority, alongside his accomplices, had presented 24 ghost workers before the committee for screening, describing their action as a serious breach of trust and abuse of office.
Receiving the report, Governor Radda directed for the immediate production of a white paper for its full implementation, adding that every recommendation must be carried out with honesty and fairness.
He said the findings of the committee would save the state from the “grip of a few” and bring more funds to support grassroots development and boost the socio-economic activities of the local government areas.
Governor Radda disclosed that local governments currently have about half a billion naira saved, which will reach N5.7 billion with the committee’s findings.
Disassociating the inauguration of the committee from politics, Radda said: “Many people complained and even warned me that the committee’s work could damage my politics and cost me elections.
“But I was not worried, because the situation in Katsina required reforming the system and doing the right thing. I did this to save the state from the grip of a few. This is how we can have money to work for the general people in our local governments.”
He, however, commended the committee for delivering credible results despite political pressures and warnings from critics of the government.
