Rivers targets ghost workers with statewide biometric verification driveThe Rivers State Local Government Service Commission has launched a comprehensive biometric verification exercise to eliminate ghost workers from the state’s local government system.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Israel Amadi, revealed this in Port Harcourt during an interview with journalists.
Dr. Amadi said that the process conducted both online and physically, aimed to ensure that only legitimate employees remained on the government payroll.
“This exercise is critical to sanitising the system, promoting accountability, and improving service delivery at the grassroots,” Amadi said.
The biometric screening is taking place simultaneously across all 23 local government areas in the state.
Teams have been deployed to collect and verify employee biometric data, while also cross-referencing existing employment records.
Amadi further emphasised that adequate security measures have been implemented to guarantee transparency and a smooth process.
He also expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for backing the initiative, saying it reflected the administration’s commitment to clean governance and efficient resource management.
The verification, Amadi added, would also help expose cases of multiple employment, salary duplication, and fraudulent payroll entries longstanding challenges in the local government system.
Amadi urged all local government workers to cooperate fully with verification officers, stressing that the process is not punitive, but part of broader reforms to build a more reliable and transparent workforce.
“Only a credible and verified workforce can deliver the quality of service the people of Rivers State deserve,” he said.
