TheCable

The Jigawa state government said on Thursday that no fewer than 240 ghost workers were uncovered among the 4,500 temporary teachers working under its J-Teach programme.

Sagir Musa, the commissioner for information, youths, sports and culture, said this in a statement issued in Dutse.

Musa stated that the ghost workers were identified in a staff validation report conducted in May.

“The State Executive Council (EXCO) has deliberated on a Memorandum presented by the Secretary to the State Government on Jigawa State Staff Validation Committee (J-Teach Beneficiaries Verification Report) submitted to the former Gov. Mohammed Badaru on May 9,” he said.

“Sequel to the presentation, the council has deliberated on some key issues from the findings, which include the identified 240 ghost workers among the beneficiaries.”

He also stated that there were discrepancies between the list of beneficiaries from the ministry of education, science and technology and local education authorities.

“Duplication of names of beneficiaries and inappropriate replacement of competent candidates with incompetent candidates,” he said.

“Some beneficiaries were found to be completely living outside the shores of the state and some beneficiaries hired others to stay on their behalf.”

Musa said improper supervision of the beneficiaries constituted some problems for the scheme’s examination conducted before the employment was declared null and void.

The statement added that at the end of its deliberation, the council with Umar Namadi, the state governor, presiding, “unanimously agreed to adopt the report earlier approved for implementation by the previous administration”.

It added that the council further resolved to set up a committee to study the findings with a view to recommending a way forward.

It stated that council directed the immediate suspension of the salaries of all J-Teach beneficiaries until the committee’s report is submitted within four weeks from December 13.

“Equally, the council has agreed that all genuine J-Teach beneficiaries duly verified will be paid in arrears,” the statement added.