Cross River Uncovers Over 2,000 Suspected Ghost Workers In Payroll Audit
Government Flags Major Payroll Irregularities
THE Cross River State Government has uncovered more than 2,000 questionable payroll records following an ongoing verification exercise aimed at sanitising the state’s wage structure.
The discovery includes invalid Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), duplicate entries, and suspected ghost workers, particularly within the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Audit Designed to Protect Public Funds
The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Victor-Felix Idem, disclosed the findings during an engagement with labour leaders and journalists in Calabar.
He explained that the exercise was initiated to ensure that only genuine workers receive salaries and to strengthen accountability in public wage administration.
According to him, some BVNs were allegedly linked to multiple salary payments, raising serious concerns about system abuse.
Government Rejects Half-Salary Allegations
Idem dismissed claims that teachers and other workers were being paid half salaries, stating that his ministry does not process or disburse wages.
He clarified that local government councils are responsible for salary payments and challenged critics to provide evidence of underpayment for investigation.
Verification Linked to Salary Suspensions
The commissioner added that workers affected by temporary salary suspension due to BVN discrepancies would be reinstated once they provide valid banking details verified by their financial institutions.
He also noted that labour representatives have been given access to verification data to support transparency.
Labour Unions React
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Cross River said its intervention followed complaints from members experiencing salary disruptions during the audit process.
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) supported the exercise, describing it as necessary to eliminate fraud, but urged stronger collaboration between government and labour unions.
Promotion Dispute Clarified
The Auditor-General for Local Government explained that the suspension of some promotion implementations was temporary, aimed at reconciling records and assessing financial implications before approval.
