CAPTAIN WADA SET TO STAMP OUT GHOST WORKERS

In view of the alarming increase on the Kogi state wage bill to N3billion naira monthly as against the N1.4 billion naira, the state government has flagged off the commencement of the Biometric Data Capturing exercise for all civil servants n its pay roll.

The Biometric capturing of the state workforce is in collaboration between the Kogi state government and the Skye Plc.

While flagging off the exercise at the State Secretariat Complex on Wednesday, the state Governor, Captain Idris Wada said the data capturing had become necessary in view of the alarming rate in the salary wage bill of the civil service inherited from the immediate past administration to implement the payment of the N18,000 naira minimum wage.

The governor clarified that the exercise was not aimed at retrenching civil servants but targeted at ensuring that salaries are centrally coordinated for efficiency in payment to workers.

"Government is committed to bringing on board a plat form of improved integrity in the payment of salaries. It is our duty and responsibility as government to know the actual number of staff working for the state.

Captain Wada directed the civil servants in the state to make themselves available for the exercise in their on interest noting that the proceed from the exercise would be used to improve on their welfare.