Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has dismissed allegations that ghost workers are draining the state’s finances, insisting that the real problem lies with individuals who were improperly engaged in the civil service.
Speaking on Friday at the EXCO Chambers of TY Danjuma House in Jalingo, Kefas explained that the ongoing biometric verification exercise is aimed at sanitising the payroll system and ensuring that only duly employed workers are paid.
According to him, “I am convinced that there are workers who were not properly employed, but they are not ghosts. There are two categories: some names exist only on paper with no actual workers, while others appear and disappear intermittently. Our priority is to pay those who are genuinely working and clear outstanding pension liabilities.”
The governor further disclosed that some senior civil servants, upon retirement, have been known to illegally employ their children and relatives through the back door.
He condemned the practice, stressing that it prevents qualified graduates without connections from accessing jobs.
“People must not get jobs through connections. We must create equal opportunities because there are many competent young people being sidelined,” he stated.
Kefas emphasised that the verification process would curb waste and make resources available for genuine employees and retirees. “I can’t eat anybody’s money. That is the essence of this verification exercise – to make sure things are done properly,” he said.
Turning to education, the governor acknowledged that Taraba is facing a crisis due to unreliable data, revealing that the state has about 3,000 primary schools and 500 secondary schools, many in deplorable condition. He pledged to partner with teachers, parents, and relevant agencies to tackle infrastructure decay, beginning with roof repairs, classroom construction, and provision of chairs.
“My plan is to meet with headteachers and principals, release funds directly to teachers, and mobilise both parents and government for school rehabilitation. We will start by repairing roofs, supplying chairs, and building new classrooms,” Kefas announced.
He also called on journalists to act as independent monitors of government projects across Taraba’s 16 local government areas. “As journalists, you must organise yourselves into monitoring teams. When funds are released for projects, you should track implementation so that parents, teachers, and government are held accountable,” he urged.
Responding to concerns about political appointments, Kefas noted that much of the criticism is perception-driven. However, he warned against acts of sabotage, citing an alleged case where a transformer at the Presidential Lodge in Jalingo was vandalised.
“I don’t want to be harsh, but when investigations reveal wrongdoing, those involved will be held accountable,” he declared.
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