Bauchi suspends 2 perm secs over 'ghost workers'

Bauchi State Government on Tuesday announced the suspension of 22 senior staff of the State and Local Government service over their alleged culpability in the ‘ghost workers’ scam.

A statement issued by Malam Abubakar Al-Sadique, Press Secretary to Governor Mohammed Abubakar, said the State Chief Executive had approved their suspension.

Among those affected were two Permanent Secretaries and six Directors.

Also suspended were all Pension Desk Officers in the 20 Local Government Areas of the state.

“His Excellency has approved the immediate suspension of officers found wanting in the course of the verification in the state and other related issues.

”Pursuant to this, the Civil Service Commission and the Local Government Service Commission are to formalize the decisions where applicable.

”A committee to investigate the degree of culpability of all those found wanting, is to be set up,” said the statement.

Meanwhile, the governor also directed that the committee charged with the responsibility of compiling case files on ghost workers in the state, should wound up its activities and submit its report.

He also directed that a Complaints Desk be established in the Office of the Head of Service to receive complaints from workers verified but were yet to be paid their salaries.