By Edem Ekpo
The Cross River State Local Government Service Commission, in collaboration with the Office of the Auditor-General for Local Governments, has concluded a comprehensive, state-wide verification of staff under the Unified Local Government System.
Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Darlington Bassey Eyo, said the audit was aimed at cleansing the payroll of ghost workers, reducing the wage bill, and creating fresh job opportunities.
“When we resumed at the Commission, we were confronted with an over-bloated payroll. Even with massive retirements, the wage bill remained high.
Some people had absconded or were working elsewhere while still drawing salaries from the councils,” Eyo explained.
“With the Governor’s approval, we embarked on this verification to sanitize the system and make room for genuine job seekers.”
The exercise, which began over a month ago in the Southern Senatorial District, moved to the Central and Northern zones before its completion. Eyo emphasized that the audit was not meant to cause hardship but to reposition the councils for efficiency and growth.
He reaffirmed Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s commitment to his People-First agenda, noting that the administration prioritizes empowerment through sustainable employment rather than temporary handouts.
“When we came in, unemployment was high, and the councils were almost empty. We appealed to the Governor to allow us to recruit staff, which he graciously approved.
Those employed have since started receiving salaries.
This initiative gives people the chance to build a career for up to 35 years,” he said.
On reports of job racketeering, the chairman warned that no one is authorized to sell employment letters on behalf of the Commission, cautioning that offenders will face stiff penalties.
He noted that the verification exposed cases of absentee staff and other irregularities, which would now be addressed to restore discipline in the service.
The audit team included Commissioners in the Local Government Service Commission, the Permanent Secretary, and other senior staff who visited council areas to monitor the exercise.
Eyo assured that the outcome of the exercise would drastically reduce ghost workers and improve productivity across the state’s local government system.