The Jigawa State Government has revealed that 6,348 ghost workers were discovered during a statewide staff verification exercise, saving the state over N3.7 billion annually. This announcement was made on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports, and Culture, Mr. Sagir Musa, in Dutse.
According to Musa, the audit, which involved biometric data capture and validation, uncovered fraudulent salaries costing the government N314.6 million each month. He described the discovery as a major step towards promoting transparency and accountability in the state’s payroll system.
Government Moves to Strengthen Payroll Management
The State Executive Council has approved the establishment of a Continuous Capture Centre (CCC) at the Office of the Head of Civil Service. Musa explained that the center will ensure the data capture and validation process continues seamlessly as part of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Management System (IPPMS).
“This initiative aims to fast-track the ongoing data capture and validation exercise while maintaining the integrity of the payroll system,” he said.
Highlighting the scale of the savings, Musa stated, **“The exercise resulted in the detection of 6,348 ghost workers and significantly saved costs with an average of N314,657,342.06 per month and N3,775,888,809.72 per annum.”**
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Improved Accountability for Jigawa
The verification exercise is part of the government’s efforts to ensure that public funds are directed toward legitimate staff salaries and other developmental projects. The commissioner emphasized that the move reflects the administration’s commitment to tackling corruption and enhancing fiscal responsibility.
The Jigawa State Government’s action is expected to free up resources for other critical needs in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. With the CCC in place, Musa assured citizens that the government will continue to monitor and improve the payroll system to prevent similar fraudulent practices in the future.
This development marks a significant achievement in Jigawa’s push for accountability and efficient use of resources. It also sets an example for other states striving to curb financial leakages through rigorous auditing processes.