[Nigeria] Official assures that Cross River personnel audit is not a witch-hunt

In Cross River State, Nigeria, the Head of Service has assured organised labour leaders that the ongoing Audit and Personnel Verification Exercise is intended to ensure the integrity of the state’s payroll system and not to victimise individual workers, The Guardian reports.

At a meeting with labour leaders in Calabar, Orok Bassey Okon stated that the exercise, which will run until the end of the year, will identify and eliminate irregularities such as fake credentials, unmerited promotions, ghost workers, and other personnel-related discrepancies.

Mr Okon reportedly said that the verification forms part of the government’s broader commitment to transparency, accountability, and efficient public service management. He added that only duly qualified and legitimately employed personnel would remain on the government’s payroll after the process.

“This exercise is not intended to victimise anyone,” Mr Okon said. “Rather, it is to ensure integrity in our workforce and payroll system. We have allowed enough time, until the end of the year, so that all concerns and outstanding issues can be properly addressed.”

The meeting was also attended by the Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Comrade Clarkson Otu. It provided a platform for Government and labour representatives to discuss concerns and seek clarifications on the verification process.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Gregory Olaye, had previously raised several issues, including discrepancies in dates of birth and first appointment records, matters relating to pensioners, code security, implementation of the new minimum wage, and other challenges encountered by workers during the exercise.

The Head of Service reportedly responded point by point and provided detailed clarifications on all concerns raised. In addition, he assured labour leaders that any unresolved issues workers had encountered would be addressed during the physical verification stage.

Mr Okon added that the consultants handling the exercise had been adequately briefed to resolve genuine cases and rectify verified errors.

The meeting concluded with Government and labour leaders reaffirming their commitment to continuous dialogue and collaboration in advancing worker welfare and improving public service administration in Cross River State.

Source: The Guardian

(Quote via original reporting)

In Cross River State, Nigeria, the Head of Service has assured organised labour leaders that the ongoing Audit and Personnel Verification Exercise is intended to ensure the integrity of the state’s payroll system and not to victimise individual workers, The Guardian reports.

At a meeting with labour leaders in Calabar, Orok Bassey Okon stated that the exercise, which will run until the end of the year, will identify and eliminate irregularities such as fake credentials, unmerited promotions, ghost workers, and other personnel-related discrepancies.

Mr Okon reportedly said that the verification forms part of the government’s broader commitment to transparency, accountability, and efficient public service management. He added that only duly qualified and legitimately employed personnel would remain on the government’s payroll after the process.

“This exercise is not intended to victimise anyone,” Mr Okon said. “Rather, it is to ensure integrity in our workforce and payroll system. We have allowed enough time, until the end of the year, so that all concerns and outstanding issues can be properly addressed.”

The meeting was also attended by the Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Comrade Clarkson Otu. It provided a platform for Government and labour representatives to discuss concerns and seek clarifications on the verification process.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Gregory Olaye, had previously raised several issues, including discrepancies in dates of birth and first appointment records, matters relating to pensioners, code security, implementation of the new minimum wage, and other challenges encountered by workers during the exercise.

The Head of Service reportedly responded point by point and provided detailed clarifications on all concerns raised. In addition, he assured labour leaders that any unresolved issues workers had encountered would be addressed during the physical verification stage.

Mr Okon added that the consultants handling the exercise had been adequately briefed to resolve genuine cases and rectify verified errors.

The meeting concluded with Government and labour leaders reaffirming their commitment to continuous dialogue and collaboration in advancing worker welfare and improving public service administration in Cross River State.

Source: The Guardian

(Quote via original reporting)