…As 300 teachers yet to receive September salary
From Suleiman Lawal, Lafia
Avery disheartening situation continued trailing public service as names of 500 dead class teachers and retirees from service of Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) are recycling in payment vouchers.
Investigation confirmed that this number kept accumulating since 2012 till this year where monthly pay remained as it is while pension in its higher-up.
Our correspondent gathered that this trend is an easier way for money marking by paying cashiers in collaboration with Education Secretaries of their respective councils.
Findings revealed that Karu Local Government Area has the highest number, while other councils have their own share of combating public funds entrusted on them to their personal pockets without minding the consequences of their actions.
To this regard, the state Commissioner of Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Yusif Aliyu Turaki has authenticated report in one of their Join Account meetings with council chairmen, in Lafia.
He expressed displeasure on the way and manner financial officers turned public funds to their personal interest without fear of God.
A statement signed by the Public Relation Officer of the ministry, Comrade Ibrahim Adamu Shigafarta, a copy of which was made available to The Triumph in Lafia, quoted Turaki as saying: “The number of ghost teachers uncovered is alarming as no government will fold its arms watching few elements stealing its little resources.
” According to the statement, the figure was mainly from the list of the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB).
Turaki called on stakeholders in the councils to give him maximum support and cooperation in a quest towards reviving and developing of local government administration in the state. Meanwhile, more than 300 teachers are yet to receive their September salaries.
Some of the affected persons told our correspondent that nonpayment of their salaries has constituted serious challenges in their day-to-day activities.
They appealed to the authorities concerned to look into their situation with a view to finding a lasting solution on the matter.
Our correspondent gathered that recently, 36 primary school teachers, who were employed and absorbed into the LGEA by Umar Tanko Al-makura administration had protested seeking the state House of Assembly’s intervention to get their salaries paid.
According to them, since April this year, they have not received monthly payment. As at the time of going to the press, all efforts to contact officer in charge of schools in the SUBEB, through its Public Relation Officer, Baba Gana, proved abortive.
