Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas denies ghost workers draining state funds, highlights biometric verification to ensure only properly employed staff are paid.
Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has dismissed claims that ghost workers are draining the state treasury, insisting that the issue lies with improperly engaged staff.
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Speaking on Friday at the EXCO Chambers, TY Danjuma House in Jalingo, Governor Kefas explained that the ongoing biometric verification exercise aims to sanitise the payroll and ensure only legitimately employed workers receive salaries.
“I am convinced that there are workers who are not properly employed, but they are not ghosts,” Kefas said.
He categorised the problem into two groups: “Some names appear on paper but the people do not exist; others appear and disappear.
We want to pay those actually working and clear pension liabilities.”
The governor further noted a worrying practice where senior civil servants nearing retirement employ their children and relatives “through the back door,” making it difficult for qualified graduates without connections to secure jobs.
Kefas emphasised his determination to provide equal employment opportunities.
“This exercise will stop wastage and free resources for genuine workers and retirees,” he added.
Addressing education challenges in the state, Kefas admitted that unreliable data complicates efforts, with about 3,000 primary and 500 secondary schools suffering from dilapidated facilities.
He pledged to mobilise teachers, parents, and government authorities to repair school infrastructure, starting with roof repairs, supplying chairs, and constructing new classrooms.
“My plan is to meet with headteachers and principals, release funds to teachers, and mobilise parents and government to support these efforts,” Kefas said.
The governor also urged journalists to act as independent monitors of government projects across Taraba’s 16 local government areas, encouraging them to organise monitoring teams to ensure accountability.
Responding to criticism of political appointees, Kefas described much of it as perception but warned against sabotage.
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He recalled an incident where workers allegedly vandalised a transformer at the Presidential Lodge in Jalingo.
