We’ll Prosecute Sponsors Of Ghost Workers’ In State’s Payroll – Governor Mohammed says
…Seeks NUJ support to fight ghost workers
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has said that his administration is taking necessary measures to prosecute those involved in fraud and ghost workers in the state’s payroll.
Mohammed said that already, the state government has established a portal for workers who feel maltreated in the ongoing verification exercise for complaints.
The Governor therefore sought the support of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the fight against ghost workers and other irregularities in the state’s civil service.
Mohammed, who stated these when he received in audience the newly elected executive members of the NUJ, Bauchi State Council, stressed the need for working journalists in the state to sensitize citizens on the motive behind the ongoing verification exercise in the state in order to tackle the challenges facing the sector.
He said; “We have so much issues in our payroll. I request my colleagues in the media to assist me in the ongoing BVN verification for us to free resources to employ new ones in the system.
“I am so much happy that, today members of my profession are visiting me in Government House. Journalism is the only profession that I always wanted to practice.”
Mohammed assured the NUJ that when completed, journalists in Bauchi will benefit from the construction of 2500 housing scheme as part of his contribution towards addressing their plight.
He said that as a veteran journalist, his administration in collaboration with the NUJ will at the end of every year, select some outstanding journalists for award presentation.
He said; “I challenge the NUJ to be selecting some of our young journalists who are committed to their assigned responsibilities for an award presentation in order to encourage performance and competition.”
On the requests of NUJ for the digitization of the state owned media outfits and employment of qualified workers in the industry, Mohammed said the state government is working to overcome the shortage of manpower and equipment in the organisations.
In appreciation for the NUJ’s visit, the Governor donated a Peugeot 406 car to the State Council of the Union and said that the plan of his administration to conduct local governments’ elections is to deepen democracy and ensure good governance.
Earlier, the Chairman of the State NUJ, Comrade Umar Sa’idu, who led veterans and leaders of the various Chapels of the Union on the visit, expressed gratitude to the Governor for his support to working journalists in the state.
Sa’idu also said that the visit was to reaffirm the resolve of the NUJ for continued collaboration with the administration to create awareness on his laudable policies and programmes.
He said; “You have not only proved to us that you are the champion of good governance, but established that, your administration is media friendly, most especially by appointing a professional, committed and transparent members of our union into your administration.
