BY Samuel Oyadongha
Yenagoa—The Local Government Verification Committees instituted by Bayelsa State Government to probe the finances of the eight local government councils in the state, yesterday, presented startling and disturbing revelations from the councils, including bloated staff salaries, ghost workers and lack of proper accounting in the management of funds.
The verification committees, which made public their findings in Yenagoa, were inaugurated by the state deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd) sometime in April, to review the system and suggest ways of making the local governments contribute to the development agenda of the state government.
Vanguard gathered that the committees were set up following reports that the third tier of government was bugged by ghost workers, under-aged and over-aged workers, who have not been able to bring positive development to the communities at the grassroots.
The reports presented similar conclusions ranging from cases of over staffing, huge salary bills, over-aged workers, absenteeism on the part of staff and political heads, including elected officials.
In the Sagbama Local Government Area report, the committee chairman, Senator John Braimbaifa, who said they received several death threats and intense lobby from certain quarters, said only 556 persons were found to be genuine workers out of 1,257 found in the employment of the council.
In Ekeremor Local Government Area, the staff verification committee chairman, Chief Thompson Okorotie, said it was disturbing to have more staff as cleaners and clerical officers out of the huge staff strength of 1,791, adding that most workers only collect salaries without reporting for duty.
Vanguard Nigeria