Delta State Local Government Service Commission (DSLGSC) has started implementing the principle of ‘no work, no pay’ after its verification exercise revealed ghost workers.
The commission which uncovered several cases of ghost workers during a recent staff verification exercise is helping to save substantial funds for the councils.
Speaking in Asaba, the chairman of DSLGSC, Dr Joseph Otirhue, revealed that many local government employees who had abandoned their posts and relocated abroad were still receiving salaries.
He emphasised that local government council chairpersons were fully briefed on the outcome of the verification exercise, which he described as highly impactful, stating that the names of such individuals had been removed from the payroll following the verification exercise.
Otirhue added that the names of deceased workers, retirees and those found culpable of misconduct had also been expunged from the system.
“Earlier this year, the commission conducted a general verification to identify workers who are actively reporting for duty and those who are not. We cannot justify the government spending significant amounts on salaries when the impact is not being felt. The exercise helped us to save substantial funds for the councils,” he said.
Reaffirming the commission’s mandate, Otirhue stated that its core responsibilities include recruitment, promotion, discipline and capacity-building for local government workers.
He highlighted ongoing training and retraining programmes aimed at improving staff performance and efficiency at all levels of local government across the state.
Describing local government workers as key stakeholders in grassroots governance, Otirhue underscored their role in policy execution, project implementation and effective administration.
On the relationship between the commission and council chairpersons, he said it remains “robust, cordial and beneficial to the people.”
