Bayelsa State government says it has concluded plans to carry out verification of pensioners in their respective communities as part of efforts to address payroll fraud.
Commissioner for information and orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said this on Wednesday at Kaiama, headquarters of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area in continuation of town hall meetings on payroll fraud.
Iworiso-Markson revealed that the monthly wage bill for retirees was N500 million, which amounted to N6 billion annually and described the list of pensioners as ‘too bogus.’
He said Governor Henry Seriake Dickson would soon inaugurate various committees that would visit all communities to physically verify the pensioners in a bid to block leakages in the state public service.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to stakeholders in the area for their support for the reform programme and reassured genuine workers and pensioners not to entertain fears, as the process would place government at a vantage position to effectively handle their welfare.
Commissioner for local government administration, Agatha Goma said the state government has reduced the total wage bill of the eight councils per month from N1.3 billion to N950 million as fallout of the painstaking implementation of the reforms.
Earlier in his address, the chairman, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Council, Wisdom Fafi highlighted the benefits of public sector reforms to include the reduction of the council’s monthly wage bill from about N120 million to N80million.
He thanked Governor Dickson and the Commissioner for Information and Orientation for organising the interactive meeting and assured government of the people’s continued support.
In their separate remarks, the member representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Douye Diri and the Chief Whip of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Isenah said the people would continue to rally round the Dickson administration for the several appointments and projects.
Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers in the area, the Ibedaowei of Opokuma Clan, Okpoitari Diongoli endorsed the reforms describing the policy as well-intentioned for the good of the people.
