Borno verification detects 9,347 ghost workers

About 9,347 ghost workers have been detected by the Borno State government through the biometric data capturing exercise of civil servants, the state Governor, Kashim Shettima has said.

The exercise, which was carried out by the Bio-metric Data Capture Committee (BDCC) for six months was defended by the governor in Maiduguri while presenting the state budget of N183.84 billion to members of House of Assembly.

He said the committee has completed its assignment and as soon as the report was submitted, government will determine the ‘authentic captured workforce’ on payrolls of every Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the State Government.

He said the ongoing biometric exercise was to finally put an end to ghost workers’ syndrome, which had bedeviled the civil service for several decades with lose of millions of Naira to ghost workers.

He assured the legislators that the saved money from the 9,347 ghost workers would be used to employ graduates and create various opportunities for self-employment by youths.

On 21-day ultimatum issued by Ramat Polytechnic workers, he said: “As it relates to their grievances on the ongoing biometric exercise, it is pertinent to clarify some of the issues, so as to enable all our citizens fully understand what is actually going on.

“As at June, 2016, the total workforce of Borno state was 27,368 persons and this include Political Office holders, students and Ulamas.”

Shettima disclosed: “Presently as a result of the ongoing biometric verification exercise, a total number of 18, 021 already cleared and paid. It represents 80 per cent of the total workforce. Again 2,295 are absentees who have not submitted even their forms and 3,441 have outstanding issues to clear and they represent only 12 per cent.”

According to him, the Committee has drawn up a timetable to visit the MDAs to check and clear all outstanding cases and that all those who have genuine cases or claims would be paid.

Shettima warned: “It is not fair to allow the few minority hold the majority to ransom and therefore appeal to all those aggrieved to give peace a chance and allow the existing industrial harmony to reign.

“At the end of the bio-metric exercise; any person who is found to have engaged himself or herself in any act of illegalities or irregularities or illegal employment, replacement, receiving double salaries and any other breach or violation would be reprimanded, penalized or brought to justice in accordance with extent laws or public service rules and regulations.”