In a shocking revelation, the Anambra State Local Government Service Commission has discovered that over 427 workers are receiving salaries from the state government without being actual staff members.
The commission’s chairman, Vin Ezeaka, made the announcement during a press conference in Awka, the state capital. According to Ezeaka, the discovery was made during a staff personnel audit aimed at sanitizing the local government system. The audit revealed several discrepancies in the payroll system that had gone unnoticed for a long time.
Firstly, it was found that 59 staff members of the commission had died long ago but were still receiving salaries. This situation was further complicated by the discovery that 40 other staff members had retired but remained on the payroll. These findings indicate a severe lapse in the system’s ability to update its records and ensure that only active employees receive payments.
Additionally, the audit uncovered that 11 staff members living abroad were still drawing salaries despite not being actively working in the state. This highlights a significant flaw in the monitoring and verification processes of the commission, as these individuals were able to continue receiving funds without fulfilling their job responsibilities.
Another alarming finding was that 222 workers could not be identified as staff members in any of the 21 local government areas yet were still receiving salaries. This suggests the presence of “ghost workers” who exist only on paper to siphon off public funds. The extent of this issue points to possible collusion within the system, allowing such fraud to persist over time.
Moreover, the commission discovered irregularities in the educational qualifications of some staff members. Specifically, some staff members of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, were found to be working with fake certificates. This revelation casts doubt on the integrity of the hiring process and the qualifications of some employees.
To address these issues, the commission has written to the Joint Account to remove these ghost workers from the payroll. Additionally, those who have come forward to voluntarily retire have been refused, as the commission seeks to enforce strict measures against fraudulent activities. Ezeaka stated, “Those caught in this scam will face the full wrath of the law in accordance with civil service rules.”
To further investigate and curb certificate racketeering, a committee was set up to look into the matter within the local government system. The committee identified several individuals who presented suspicious certificates. Upon conducting further investigations, it was revealed that six out of 14 individuals with Imo State University certificates had presented fake documents.
Ezeaka emphasized that the ongoing verification exercise is not a witch-hunt but rather a move to sanitize the system and ensure that genuine workers receive fair compensation for their services. The commission’s efforts have led to the dismissal of even senior local government staff, including deputy directors and treasurers, for presenting fake certificates. This underscores the commission’s commitment to maintaining a transparent and accountable workforce.
To give those working with forged certificates a chance to come clean, the commission has offered a grace period for them to report themselves. Those who fail to do so will face dismissal once the amnesty period elapses. Ezeaka’s stance is clear: “We are committed to rooting out all forms of fraud within the local government system and ensuring that only qualified and honest individuals are part of our workforce.”
In summary, the discovery of over 427 fraudulent salary recipients by the Anambra State Local Government Service Commission highlights significant flaws in the payroll and monitoring systems. The commission’s efforts to address these issues include removing ghost workers from the payroll, investigating certificate fraud, and enforcing strict penalties for those involved in these fraudulent activities.
The ongoing verification exercise aims to restore integrity to the local government system, ensuring that genuine workers receive the compensation they deserve while rooting out all forms of corruption.
