Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Jigawa State Government said it has uncovered no fewer than 240 ghost workers among the 4,500 temporary teachers working under its J-Teach Programme.
Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, Mr Sagir Musa, disclosed that the ghost workers were identified in a staff validation report conducted in May.
“The State Executive Council (EXCO) has deliberated on a Memorandum presented by the Secretary to the State Government on Jigawa State Staff Validation Committee (J-Teach Beneficiaries Verification Report) submitted to the former Gov. Mohammed Badaru on May 9.
“Sequel to the presentation, the council has deliberated on some key issues from the findings, which include the identified 240 ghost workers among the beneficiaries,” Musa said.
According to him, 255 persons have fake certificates, 72 with no certificates at all.
He also stated that there were discrepancies between the list of beneficiaries from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and Local Education Authorities.
“Duplication of names of beneficiaries and inappropriate replacement of competent candidates with incompetent candidates.
“Some beneficiaries were found to be completely living outside the shores of the state and some beneficiaries hired others to stay on their behalf.”
Musa added that improper supervision of the beneficiaries constituted some problems for the scheme’s examination conducted before the employment was declared null and void due to the issues highlighted.