Govt loses N1bn to ghost worker in Bayelsa

GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has expressed resignation over whopping sum of N1billion lost to service ghost workers in the local government councils, and charged newly inaugurated members of the new local government service commission to sanitise the system.

Performing the inauguration inside Government House, Yenagoa, the governor identified indiscipline, pay roll fraud, unruly behaviour and lack of proper record keeping as some of the setbacks bedevilling the system.

Dickson, therefore, directed the commission to take out those who are overdue for retirement, absentee workers, as well as those who have been illegally employed as the government loses over N1billion to service ghost workers.

He therefore asked the new commission to get to work immediately and look into‎ those teething problems, noting that no local government in the state is viable because of the attitude of the staff that most times stay away from work but receive salaries at the end of every month.

Dickson reiterated that since the inception of his government, the state does not interfere with local government funds‎ and called on all stakeholders in the state to team up with the commission and ensure a working local government system so it will not collapse.

‎”I congratulate all of you because it is a well deserved appointment and also charge you to look into any employment made from 2012 till now and consider it as illegal, because we have not employed anyone since the inception of this administration.”

Making his remark, chairman of the Commission, Hon Adolphus Ofongo, thanked God for using Governor Dickson to change the local government service, adding that it takes only a bold heart to handle the affairs of the third tier of government and promised that they will do their best.

‎In his remark, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon Jonathan Obuebite, after the swearing in told newsmen that the governor’s desire is to see a performing local government system that will complement the state government.

Members of the commission are; ‎Berry Negresse, Hon James Agari, Dr Mrs Mary John, Amakiri Etebu, Freedom Josiah Osain, George Okrinya and Uroh Kiani.‎