Massive Ghost Worker Scandal Rocks Taraba Civil Service
A comprehensive payroll audit in Taraba State has uncovered a staggering 7,000 ghost workers on the government's payroll, sparking significant tension within the state administration. The revelation comes from the State Staff Verification Committee, which Governor Agbu Kefas described as conducting an exhaustive, transparent and courageous investigation.
Verification Committee Exposes Massive Fraud
The verification committee, established to address concerns about bloated salaries and irregular employment practices, conducted a thorough examination of the state's civil service payroll. Committee chairman Abdulkadir Haruna presented the shocking findings in Jalingo, revealing that out of approximately 7,800 workers initially flagged for scrutiny, only 1,410 were cleared after rigorous screening processes.
Haruna emphasized that those workers who successfully passed the verification should be reinstated immediately and paid all outstanding entitlements owed to them. The massive scale of the ghost worker problem represents a significant drain on state resources that could have been directed toward development projects and essential services.
Tension Mounts in State Administration
The submission of the committee's report has reportedly created a simmering rift between the verification committee and the Office of the Accountant General. This tension underscores the sensitive nature of the findings and the potential implications for various departments and officials involved in payroll management.
Governor Agbu Kefas has fully endorsed the committee's work, praising their transparency and courage in exposing the systemic issues within the state's payroll system. The audit represents a crucial step in the governor's broader reform agenda for the Taraba civil service.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the committee noted that several higher institutions in the state, including Taraba State University, the state polytechnic, and college of education, are currently on holiday, potentially affecting the verification process for academic staff.
This payroll reform initiative marks a significant effort by the Taraba State government to combat corruption, improve fiscal responsibility, and ensure that public funds are properly allocated to genuine civil servants who contribute to state development.
