The Jigawa government said on Thursday that no fewer than 240 ghost workers were uncovered among the 4,500 temporary teachers working under its J-Teach programme.

Information commissioner Sagir Musa said this in a statement, disclosing that the ghost workers were identified in a staff validation report conducted in May.

“The State Executive Council (EXCO) has deliberated on a Memorandum presented by the Secretary to the State Government on Jigawa State Staff Validation Committee (J-Teach Beneficiaries Verification Report) submitted to the former Governor Mohammed Badaru on May 9.

“Sequel to the presentation, the council has deliberated on some key issues from the findings, which include the identified 240 ghost workers among the beneficiaries,” the statement explained.

According to the Jigawa government, 255 persons have fake certificates, and 72 have no certificates.

The government also stated that there were discrepancies between the list of beneficiaries from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and Local Education Authorities.

“Duplication of names of beneficiaries and inappropriate replacement of competent candidates with incompetent candidates. Some beneficiaries were found to be completely living outside the shores of the state, and some beneficiaries hired others to stay on their behalf,” said the government.

It added that improper supervision of the beneficiaries constituted problems for the scheme’s examination conducted before the employment was declared null and void due to the issues highlighted.

The statement added that the EXCO, at the end of its deliberation, with Governor Umar Namadi presiding, “unanimously agreed to adopt the report earlier approved for implementation by the previous administration.”

It added that the EXCO further resolved to set up a committee to study the findings to recommend a way forward on the present administration’s decision to absorb 3000 of the 4,500 J-Teach into permanent and pensionable appointments.

It stated that the EXCO directed the immediate suspension of the salary of all J-Teach beneficiaries until the committee’s report is submitted within four weeks from December 13.

“Equally, the council has agreed that all genuine J-Teach beneficiaries duly verified will be paid in arrears,” the statement added.

(NAN)