Cross River HoS Defends Personnel Audit Before Labour Leaders

Cross River State Head of Service, Mr. Orok Bassey Okon, yesterday in Calabar,told organised labour that the ongoing Audit and Personnel Verification Exercise is not a ploy to victimize workers in the state adding that the exercise is only designed  to sanitise the state’s payroll system.

The Head of service made the remarks during an interactive session with labour leaders in Calabar.

Okon stated  that the exercise  which will run until the end of the year is being carried out to identify and eliminate those with fake credentials, unmerited promotions, ghost workers, and other personnel-related discrepancies.

He emphasised that the verification reflects government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and efficient public service management.

“Only duly qualified and legitimately employed personnel will remain on the payroll after the process.

“‘This exercise is not intended to victimise anyone,’ Okon was quoted as saying. ‘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 also had Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Comrade Clarkson Otu, in attendance.

On why the meeting was held between the leadership of organized labour and the Head of service, the Head of service stated that the meeting provides an opportunity or platform for officials of  Government and representatives of organised labour  to brainstorm on issues troubling government and the organised labour and probably seek clarifications on the verification process.

Earlier, Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman, Comrade Gregory Olaye, raised 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 workers faced during the exercise. Okon responded point by point and provided detailed clarifications.

He assured labour leaders that unresolved issues would be addressed during the physical verification stage. Okon also disclosed that consultants handling the exercise have been briefed to resolve genuine cases and rectify verified errors.

The meeting ended on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming commitment to dialogue and collaboration to advance workers welfare in Cross River State.