Dikko Umaru Radda, Katsina State Governor, has received the comprehensive report of the Biometric Screening Committee on staff of the 34 Local Government Councils and Local Education Authorities, just as the State recovered no less than ₦4.6m from salary fraudsters, with 3,488 unqualified staff removed.
The exercise screened 50,172 workers and created the first-ever unified digital database of all LGC and LEA staff in the state’s history, while projecting monthly savings of N453.3 million if recommendations are fully implemented.
Speaking while receiving the report, Radda praised the Committee for delivering credible results despite political pressures and warnings from critics.
“We have been in the system for a long time, and we know these things exist. Many people complained and even warned me that the Committee’s work could damage my politics and cost me elections. But I was not worried, because the situation in Katsina required reforming the system and doing the right thing,” the Governor stated.
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He directed that the report should become a White Paper for full implementation, emphasising that every recommendation must be carried out with honesty and fairness.
Abdullahi Gagare, Committee Chairman, revealed that out of 50,172 staff screened, 46,380 were successfully verified while 3,488 were removed for presenting fake credentials, absconding from duty, engaging in fraud, or refusing to appear before the Committee.
The exercise uncovered irregularities, including falsification of birth dates, fake certificates, underage employment, ghost workers, absenteeism, illegal promotions, and cases where staff positions were sublet to others.
The Committee recovered ₦4.6 million from officers drawing double salaries from state and federal agencies, and six others who continued collecting salaries while on leave of absence.
The Committee condemned the Education Secretary of Zango LEA, who, with collaborators, created 24 ghost workers and presented them for screening, described as a serious breach of trust and abuse of office.
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Governor Radda disclosed that local governments currently have about half a billion naira saved, which will reach ₦5.7 billion with the Committee’s findings.
“Despite high revenue allocations, many local governments in Katsina still struggle to pay salaries. Councils such as Kafur, Malumfashi, and Daura carry very heavy wage bills, mostly due to workers who are not genuine,” he explained.
The Governor emphasised that reducing this burden will free up more funds to support grassroots development.
“I did this to save the state from the grip of a few. This is how we can have money to work for the general people in our local governments,” Governor Radda concluded.
