Ghost Workers Drain Ebonyi LG Funds, Some Dead Since 2009

Kehinde Fajobi

Chinedu Uburu, chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Ebonyi, has revealed that some local government workers who died in 2009 are still receiving salaries from the state’s payroll.

Uburu made the disclosure on Monday when executives of the Ebonyi chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by Samson Nwafor, paid him a courtesy visit in Abakaliki.

He said the discovery was made during an ongoing verification exercise across local government areas.

Expressing concern over the financial strain on local councils, Uburu noted that the recent minimum wage increase had made it difficult to meet salary obligations.

He urged unpaid workers to remain patient as efforts were being made to resolve the issue.

“The verification exercise is not targeted at anyone. Workers don’t realise that council chairmen are trying to help them,” he said.

“Last year, the president signed the minimum wage bill into law, and with the current number of staff, we can’t even pay salaries.”

Uburu commended the NUJ leadership for upholding professionalism, stressing the media’s role in providing accurate information.

Responding, Nwafor highlighted the importance of a strong relationship between journalists and the government, assuring that the NUJ would continue to support ALGON’s development efforts.

“Journalism is no longer about attacking the government; it’s about supporting it, advising when necessary, and ensuring the state’s progress,” he said.

“We are part of the society, and our work should aim to contribute to the betterment of Ebonyi.”

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