The Nasarawa State Government says it has concluded plans to conduct screening of staff at the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to ascertain the actual number of workers.
Mr Peter Ahemba, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Gov. Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs stated this at a press conference on Friday in Lafia.
Ahemba explained that the state Economy Council had constituted a five-member committee to carry out the exercise for proper developmental planning.
According to him, the state had fully complied with the autonomy of LGAs and had given the local authorities free hands to operate.
He explained, however, that the LGAs are collaborating with the state government to ensure the smooth running of activities, better welfare for the workers, and good governance at the grassroots.
“It is given the above that the state had recently constituted the State Economic Council, Chaired by Emmanuel Akabe, Deputy Gov of the state.
“The Economy Council had recommended the immediate screening of area council staff to fish out ghost workers and ascertain an actual number of staff.
“The screening became imperative because of the overblown salaries of workers despite retirement, death, and transfer of service.
“The screening will help the new authorities at the local government level to plan for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage and other welfare issues,” he added.
The SSA further added that the government had abolished joint account system and said that the allocations of the area councils goes directly to their account.
He further said that the Revenue Service Board is collaborating with the LG Chairmen to boost the internally generated revenue of their councils in line with the local government laws of the state.
On the recently attacked by gunmen in Tatara community of Karu LGA, he said that the governor had gotten the necessary approval to establish a Super Military Camp in the area to forestall future occurrence.
“The governor had released N200 million for the establishment of the military camp to protect the people in the area and its environs.
“Security is a topmost priority of this administration and the governor will do everything possible to ensure the protection of lives and property everywhere in the state,” Ahemba added.
On the rumour appointment of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG(, the governor’s aide called on the public to disregard the rumour in its entirety.
He explained that the governor is consulting and would soon make names of new Commissioners and the SSG public. (www.krestnews.com).