Anambra LGs reportedly pay salaries and pensions to 'ghost workers'

Some local government areas in Anambra state pay pensions and salaries to "ghosts workers", the Chairman, Anambra State Local Government Service Commission, Vin Ifeanyi Ezeaka, has alleged.

Ezeaka disclosed this during an ongoing familiarisation tour of LGAs in Anambra state on Monday, Nov. 28.

He condemned workers in the state who engage in such activities as a fraudulent means to shoot up their wage bills.

He urged government workers in the state to shun all forms of malpractice or be ready to face the sanctions.

To combat malpractices, he decreed that all workers above grade level 10 are prohibited from serving as local government cashiers.

He said that henceforth workers’ salaries would be paid based on the number of times they come to work.

He said, "The familiarisation tour is in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s matching orders to bring Anambra State local government system to its original mandate geared towards ensuring sustainable development of the grassroots.

"We can’t understand why deceased workers and retirees should be included on the payroll system.

"The purpose of the tour is to restore the lost glory of the local governments as well as attending to the challenges facing the various councils which hamper productivity and effective service delivery.

"The present board of the commission was inaugurated on October 19 to transform, revive and bring back discipline in the unified local government system.

"The resolution of the board to introduce biometric electronic monitoring machine in the local government system is to monitor workers’ attendance to work. Workers' salaries will soon be paid based on the number of times they come to work."

Ezeaka pointed out that heads of departments found wanting in their duties would be demoted, adding that the commission would no longer condone any negative attitude that will undermine the commission and the local government system.

"The issue of sharing of staff claims without due process must stop. Government has promised to bring back local government councils revenue windows back to LGAs, provided the workers are ready to change their attitude to work and abide by government’s policies and directives," he added.