By SundiataPOST, Abuja
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa on Thursday said that his administration was determined to end the ghost worker syndrome in the state.
Dickson told newsmen in Yenagoa that the menace was not in tandem with the state government’s restoration agenda.
According to him, “my administration has resolved to rid the state government’s payroll of ghost workers to strengthen staff commitment to duty”.
“The on-going verification and biometric capturing programme in the state is a good development and I want every staff member to be part of it for the betterment of the state.
“It will also enable workers to clock in and out from duty as well as tax payment,” Dickson said.
He urged public servants in the state to cooperate with the officers in the exercise to support the government to end ghost workers on its payroll. “We want to be able to identify who our workers are and plan and cater for them.
“I am happy that the measures we have put in place since on board have yielded some dividends.
“I must say that this exercise is the most scientific way to determine, who should be on our payroll.
“The exercise, when completed and fully operational, will enable public servants to use the automated verification cards to have access to their salaries.
“And no level of seniority will stop you from the verification; I believe the verification officers have our mandate to do everything you need to do properly and thoroughly,” he said.
Dickson said the deadline for the exercise was January 2014, adding that workers not captured before the stipulated date would forfeit their salary.