Cross River Commission Uncovers 800 Ghost Workers in Local Government Service

The Cross River Local Government Service Commission (CRLGSC) has uncovered 800 ghost workers who had been illegally drawing salaries from local government funds across the state.

Chairman of the commission, Mr. Darlington Bassey Eyo, made the disclosure in Calabar after the conclusion of a personnel audit and verification exercise conducted in all 18 local government areas.

According to Eyo, the audit was aimed at sanitising the public service, cutting down the state’s wage bill, and ensuring that only genuine staff remain on the payroll.

“During the exercise, the commission discovered 800 ghost workers whose names have now been removed from the payroll,” he said, while reaffirming the commission’s commitment to building a unified, efficient, and productive local government service.

He further explained that harmonising the payroll would help guarantee the timely payment of salaries to legitimate staff in their areas of assignment.

Eyo also commended Governor Bassey Otu for granting approval to recruit new workers into the local government service.

He dismissed claims that employment slots were being sold, stressing that the process remained transparent.

In addition, the chairman directed all local government staff to obtain their voter cards from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices in their respective areas.

The exercise marks one of the most decisive efforts by the CRLGSC to reform the state’s local government system and strengthen accountability in the public sector.