Pay roll scam: Bayelsa loses N2.6 billion annually

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry on pay roll fraud has presented the volume 1 of its report to the government with a shocking discovery.

The Chairperson of the Commission, Hon. Justice Doris Adokeme while presenting the report to Governor Seriake Dickson at the Executive Chamber, Government House, Yenagoa on Wednesday blamed over bloated wage bill on the activities of fraudsters in the system.

A statements by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said it uncovered 6,280 unauthorized employments at the eight constitutionally recognized local government areas and thirty-two Rural Development Authorities which amounted to an annual loss of N2.61 billion.

The commission in its findings discovered 3,243 unauthorized employees at Rural Development Authorities and 3,037 at the eight constitutionally recognized Local Government Areas.

Ekeremor led the chat with 1.162 employees followed by Southern Ijaw, Yenagoa, Ogbia and Brass.

The Justice Adokeme led Commission gave Kolokuma/Opokuma local government and RDA a clean bill of performance with  employment of 505 staffers, adding that in spite of their strength, the workers are putting up optimal performance.

The commission in its findings attributed over bloated wage bill at the third tier of government to illegal transfer of service, substitution of names of retirees, illegal inheritance of death resulting of legal employee and back dating of appointment.

It, therefore, called for holistic implementation of the recommendations of the Commission, arguing that this is only way to curb the activities of pay roll fraudsters and reduce wage bill.

Governor Dickson after receiving the report of commission commended the efforts of its members for being painstaking in their findings and assured that government would look into it and take necessary steps.

He described the issue of pay roll fraud in the state as pathetic but assured the people that his administration would get to its root and put a stop to it.

Dickson asked the commission to beam its searchlight on education sector, describing it as another critical sector that is giving the administration sleepless nights.

The governor said his administration is waiting to receive other volumes of the reports, especially reports on the main stream civil service.

He added that a committee would be inaugurated to carry out the re-organization in the Ministry of Environment.

The governor equally announced that henceforth the employment of sanitary inspectors should commence.

UNIAFRICA receives over 6,000 applications from students

Over 6,000 candidates have applied to study at the newly established University of Africa, Toru Orua in Sagbama local government area, Bayelsa state.

The university is running remedial and degree programmes in Medicine, Architecture, Engineering, Law, Agriculture and Environmental and Management sciences.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Registrar of the University, Bennaiah  Oye and made available to the newsmen in Yenagoa.

The admission portal of the University which was opened barely a week ago, according to the statement, has received application of over 6000 intending students within and outside the state.

It described the development as an indication of acceptance of the institution as a world-class university that will be known for academic excellence, rich socio-cultural activities and high ethical standards.

Also, the establishment of the University is aimed at complementing the Niger Delta University and reducing its burden as a result of the large number of intending students seeking for admission.

The statement however assured the intending students of government’s commitment to qualitative education, adding that upon completion of their studies, successful applicants will be privilege to study in affiliated universities in United Kingdom and United States of America

The intending students will undergo screening at a date to be announced by the school authority just as it encourages those who are still interested to take advantage of the opportunity to apply before expiration of deadline.