Committee Discovers 3,488 Ghost Workers In Katsîna State

By; SULAIMAN AHMED MISAU, Katsina

Committee set up by Katsina State Government to screen staff of the thirty four (34) Local Governments and Local Education Authorities in the state has discovered three thousand four hundred and eighty eight (3,488) Ghost Workers in the payroll out of the fifty thousand one hundred and seventy two (50,172) personnel validated.

Consequently, the state Government would accrue additional funds amounting to 453,374,110.00 million Naira on monthly basis.

This development underscored Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration commitment to justice, equity and zero tolerance for discipline in the implementation of single treasury system.

Chairman of the Committee Alhaji Abdullahi Gagare disclosed this while presenting the committee’s report to the State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda in his office at General Muhammadu Buhari (Government) House, Katsina.

Alhaji Abdullahi Gagare hinted that, irregularities on the employment of workers were uncovered by the committee.

According to Alhaji Gagare the irregularities discovered by the Committee includes:- unjustifiable changes of date of birth, over stay in service and indiscriminate use of fake schools living certificates and employment of underage.

This he said, was in addition to non-stoppage of salaries after death or retirement, over grading of workers and employment of non-indigenes on permanent and pensionable appointments as well as the existence of ghost workers among others.

Alhaji Abdullahi Gagare explained that, the committee had also screened and incorporated one thousand and thirty five (1,035) new staff into the database.

They includes:- one thousand and nine (1,009) elected and political appointees from across the thirty four (34) Local Governments, recruitment of new staff of the State primary health care development Agency and the appointment of additional district and village heads.

Alhaji Abdullahi Gagare maintained that, twenty six (26) new staff also recruited by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) were also captured during the screening.

Responding, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda thanked the Committee Chairman for the job done.

Governor Dikko Radda directed Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Abdullahi Garba Faskari to constitute a white paper drafting committee to study and examine the report and come up with the summary for implementation.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda assured that, the State Government would implement every bits of the report. pointing out that, “Where there is disciplinary issue, appropriate measure would be taken by appropriate authorities.”

Governor Dikko Radda stressed that, the monthly savings amounting to about five billion (5) naira uncovered from the exercise could be used for the execution of more projects across the Local Governments.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda said despite the high increase in revenue, some Local Governments are still battling in the payment of staff salaries.