The Abia State Government has announced significant savings of 220 million naira on monthly wage bills following an ongoing verification exercise in the state's civil service. The Accountant General of the state, Deaconess Njum Onyemenam, disclosed this during a meeting with Governor Alex Otti in Umuahia on Monday.
The savings were achieved through the implementation of a unified payment system and the identification and removal of ghost names from the payrolls. As the verification exercise continues, the state government expects to achieve even more substantial savings in the future.
According to the Accountant General, the ongoing verification has already resulted in the removal of approximately 2,300 ghost names from the payrolls. These individuals did not exist or were not legitimate employees of the state. The implementation of the unified payment system has facilitated the identification and elimination of these fraudulent entries.
Deaconess Njum Onyemenam further stated that the state government has taken proactive measures to address outstanding financial obligations. Following Governor Otti's directive, the government recently cleared the arrears of April salaries left behind by the previous administration. Additionally, June pensions were promptly disbursed to retirees.
Regarding local government staff, the Accountant General explained that some employees were initially excluded from receiving their June salaries due to their alleged failure to submit verified payment schedules. However, the government has resolved to rectify the situation promptly. These local government staff members will receive their salaries in the coming week.
The ongoing verification exercise in Abia State demonstrates the government's commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in the civil service. By weeding out ghost names and implementing a unified payment system, the government has not only achieved substantial cost savings but has also ensured that salaries and pensions are paid in a timely manner.
As the state government continues its efforts to streamline operations and improve fiscal responsibility, it is expected that the verification exercise will yield further positive outcomes. These actions will contribute to the overall development and effective governance of Abia State, benefitting both the government and its employees.
