BAYELSA COUNCIL PAYS 101 GHOST WORKERS N10M MONTHLY

Yenagoa - The five-man committee headed by Mr. Dibiya Ayakurai, set up to audit the staff of Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has uncovered a N10 million monthly wage scam. Over 29 dead persons and 72 ghost workers were under the employment of the council and receiving salaries since 2003.

Already, the report of the committee tagged The Finance and General Purpose Committee of the Sagbama Council, instituted by Chairman of the council, Prince Peres Peretu, has been forwarded to the office of the Deputy Governor, Werinipre Seibarugu and the Local Government Service Commission.

The report indicated that apart from the more than 29 dead discovered to be collecting salaries since 2003, no fewer than 44 others were found to have falsified their age or on sick bed due to old age.

The list includes 14 persons discovered to be non-indigenes of the council and working in other local government areas of the state, while many were alleged to have fraudulently scanned appointment letters and collecting salaries in the council.

Prince Peretu, who received the report in company of members of the legislative arm of the council led by the Deputy Leader, Mr. Toby Ibikedimie, said though the report was certified by the legislators, those involved would not be prosecuted but advised to accept the verdict of the committee.

He said: 'The legislative arm of the council investigated the report and confirmed that it was true and we signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, that they should be sacked. But we also advised that they should not be

prosecuted since they are our people.'