As part of ongoing efforts to reform the state’s local government system, the Katsina State Government has uncovered 3,488 ghost workers, certificate forgers, underage employees, and individuals with falsified birth records on the local government payroll.
The discovery was made by the government through a Biometric Screening Committee set up to audit staff across the 34 Local Government Councils and Local Education Authorities.
Presenting the findings at the State Executive Council meeting, the Chairman of the Committee, Abdullahi Gagare, revealed that some of the affected personnel were also involved in fraudulent activities such as illegal promotions and abandoning their posts.
According to him, out of 50,172 staff screened, 46,380 were successfully verified, while 3,488 were delisted for presenting fake credentials, deserting their duties, committing fraud, or failing to appear before the committee.
“The committee uncovered serious irregularities including falsification of birth dates, fake certificates, underage employment, ghost workers, absenteeism, illegal promotions, and cases where staff positions were sublet to others”, he added.
Gagare further stated that the committee recovered N4.6 million from local government workers who were illegally drawing salaries from both state and federal agencies, as well as from six individuals who continued receiving salaries while on leave of absence.
The chairman also disclosed that the Education Secretary of the Zango Local Education Authority, along with his accomplices, had presented 24 ghost workers to the committee for screening, an act he described as a serious breach of trust and abuse of office.
After reviewing the report, Governor Dikko Radda directed the immediate preparation of a white paper to ensure its full implementation, emphasizing that every recommendation must be executed with honesty and fairness.
Radda noted that the committee’s findings would help liberate the state from the control of a few individuals and redirect more resources toward grassroots development, thereby boosting socio-economic activities across the local government areas.
He revealed that local governments currently have savings of about ₦500 million, a figure expected to increase to N5.7 billion following the implementation of the committee’s recommendations.
Addressing concerns about political implications, the governor clarified that the committee’s formation was not politically driven.
“Many people complained and even warned me that the committee’s work could damage my politics and cost me elections.
“But I was not worried, because the situation in Katsina required reforming the system and doing the right thing. I did this to save the state from the grip of a few. This is how we can have money to work for the general people in our local governments.
He also commended the committee for delivering credible results despite political pressure and criticism from opponents.
