'Dead workers still on Ondo payroll'

‘Dead workers still on Ondo payroll’ 24 Aug 2015 12:42 AM  The Ondo State Government said that it embarked on another verification exercise in the state’s civil service in order to remove fake workers and pensioners from its payroll. The Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, said this on Saturday during a briefing with journalists. Akinmade said that the outcome of the ongoing verification carried out in the civil service showed that many fake workers were earning income from the government in the 18 local government areas of the state. The commissioner stressed that the verification became imperative because the allocation accruing to the state from the Federation Account and the Internally Generated Revenue were being drained by workers’ salaries. He said, “At the commencement of the exercise, some workers were discovered to be receiving salaries meant for grade levels higher than their levels, while those who have died, resigned from service or retired, were still drawing salaries from the government. “For instance, at a primary school in Ikaramu-Akoko, someone who had died about a year ago, was discovered to be receiving salary till date. An important aspect of our discoveries was that those that had retired are still receiving salaries as if they are in active service.” Akinmade said that the pensions and salaries were being collected by persons impersonating retirees and those who had died. The commissioner said the verification would block the leakages and enable the government to pay salaries conveniently. He said, “About a year ago, a verification exercise was carried out in the MDAs after which we digitalised our payroll system. Despite the high number of retirees in the last one year, which should have naturally translated into a reduction in wages, the reverse has been the case.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: editor@punchng.com