News Obiaks News

   Kaduna State Government Sunday called on public servants in the state to cooperate fully with the on­going payroll verification exercise.

In a statement by Governor Nasir el-Rufai's Spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, he said that the verification is already helping the state to save N500 million monthly, and is nearing completion.

The statement commended the state's workers for their pa­tience and contribution to the success the verification exercise has recorded.

Aruwan explained that, anyone who has any doubts about the need to ensure that public funds are not frittered on ghosts should note that federal allocation to the state last month was N2.8 billion.

According to the statement, "It is in the wider public interest to establish precisely who works for the government, to ensure that public funds are not being drained to pay ghost workers. It is also in the personal career interests of each worker that the payroll is not distorted or bloated by non existent workers.

"Steady progress has been made since the verification process for workers and pensioners commenced in June 2015. The results so far show that the payroll for wages and pen­sions has declined from the N2.7 billion it cost to pay workers in May 2015.

"The government is pushing to make further savings by unmasking more ghosts. To build on this success and ensure the integrity of the payroll, the government is pressing ahead with the concluding phase of the verification exercise. This is expected to end in April 2016.

He said, the government is pushing to make further savings by unmasking more ghost workers

"To build on this success and ensure the integrity of the payroll, the government is pressing ahead with the concluding phase of the verification exercise.

"This is expected to end in April 2016. Workers who have patiently partaken in the exercise since June 2015 should demonstrate the same spirit now that verification is close to the finishing line.

"As an employer, the government regrets that some workers have encountered hitches during the verification process. The process we have launched to end in April will give a conclusive picture of public service data and hasten redress for the affected workers.Employees should update their personnel records fully.''