Bauchi Approves Monthly Stipends For Imams, Pastors, Uncovers 3,000 Ghost Workers

The Bauchi State Economic Council has approved the payment of monthly stipends to Imams and Pastors across the state.

Governor Bala Mohammed, on Friday, presided over the Economic Council meeting, which had in attendance key stakeholders from the financial and revenue sectors in the state.

Speaking with journalists on the outcomes of the meeting, the State’s Head of Civil Service, Barr. Mohammed Sani Umar, disclosed that the council deliberated extensively and the governor approved the payment of monthly stipends to Imams of various Juma’at Mosques across the state, as well as clerics of different Christian denominations.

According to him, the payment of allowances to Imams and Pastors will be carried out irrespective of sects and denominations.

“The final step is to work out the economic and financial implications for the effective implementation of this policy,” the Head of Service added.

He further revealed that the council also discussed the commencement of salary payments to the newly appointed Emirs and District Heads across the state, noting that the government has made adequate cash flow provisions to ensure their sustainability.

On his part, the Governor’s Chief Economic Adviser, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu Haruna, said the council reviewed the state’s salary administration process. He explained that the government worked with Onyx Investment Advisory Limited, a consulting firm, to identify and eliminate ghost workers from the payroll.

He disclosed that the exercise led to the discovery of over 3,000 ghost workers, saving the state more than N4.16 billion.

“By August 2024, the state government took over salary payments from the consulting firm. Previously, the process was riddled with complaints, but since the exercise was concluded, there have been no further complaints,” he stated.