The Katsina State government has uncovered 3,488 ghost workers from the payroll of the 34 local government councils (LGCs) and the local education authorities (LEAs), following a biometric screening.

Speaking while receiving the report on Thursday in Katsina, Governor Dikko Radda praised the committee for delivering credible results despite political pressures and warnings from critics.

“We have been in the system for a long time, and we know these things exist. Many people complained and even warned me that the committee’s work could damage my politics and cost me elections.

“But I am not worried, because the situation in Katsina required reforming the system and doing the right thing,” Mr Radda said.

Mr Radda disclosed that local governments currently have over half a billion naira saved as a result of the committee’s work.

“I did this to save the state from the grip of a few,” said Mr Radda. “This is how we can have money to work for the general people in our local government areas.”

He directed that the report should become a “White Paper” for full implementation, emphasising that every recommendation must be carried out with honesty and fairness.

The committee chairman, Abdullahi Gagare, revealed that out of 50,172 staff screened, 46,380 were successfully verified.

He added that the remaining 3,488 were removed for presenting fake credentials, absconding from duty, engaging in fraud, or refusing to appear before the committee.

According to him, the committee is projecting monthly savings of N453.3 million if the recommendations are fully implemented.

“The exercise 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 said.

He further revealed that the committee recovered N4.6 million from some officers who were collecting double salaries from state and federal agencies, as well as six others who continued to collect salaries while on leave of absence.

Mr Gagare unveiled a shocking revelation, where the committee condemned the attitude of an education secretary in one of the LEAs who, with collaborators, created 24 ghost workers and presented them for the screening.

The chairman described the act as a serious breach of trust and abuse of office.

(NAN)