Taraba Workers Dismiss Extortion Claims, Back Gov Kefas’ Verification Exercise

A group of reabsorbed workers into the Taraba State Civil Service has dismissed allegations of extortion and political manipulation in the ongoing verification and reabsorption exercise instituted by the state government.

Speaking on behalf of the workers in Jalingo, their leader, Abdulrauf Sani, described the process as transparent and aimed at restoring credibility to the state’s civil service system.

Sani said no beneficiary was compelled to pay any fee to participate in the exercise, contrary to reports circulating in some quarters.

He explained that the verification exercise was introduced to identify genuine civil servants and eliminate irregularities that had affected the system over the years.

According to him, workers whose salaries were previously suspended underwent multiple stages of screening, beginning at the Bureau for Local Government Affairs before proceeding to the Civil Service Commission for final documentation and confirmation.

He said the process had helped distinguish legitimate workers from individuals who allegedly attempted to gain access to the payroll without proper employment records.

“Some people who were never part of the payroll tried to take advantage of the process by presenting certificates and claiming to be affected workers. Those individuals were screened out, while genuine workers were allowed to continue with the exercise,” Sani said.

The workers’ leader also rejected claims that participants were asked to pay money at any stage of the verification exercise.

“The Head of Service assured us from the beginning that nobody would pay any money. We were informed that forms would ordinarily cost money, but Governor Agbu Kefas directed that the government should bear the cost. The only expenses incurred by applicants were for photocopying personal documents,” he stated.

Sani commended Governor Agbu Kefas for approving the reabsorption of affected workers, describing the decision as a major relief for thousands of families across the state.

He said about 5,000 workers were affected by the exercise, adding that the governor’s intervention demonstrated commitment to workers’ welfare rather than political considerations.

“This exercise is not political. It is about correcting mistakes and ensuring that those who are genuinely qualified are given the opportunity to serve. Many of us suffered during this period, but the outcome has shown that the process was intended to do the right thing,” he said.

Sani urged beneficiaries to justify the confidence reposed in them by remaining disciplined, dedicated and productive in their respective duties.

The development comes amid wider efforts by the Taraba State Government to clean up the civil service payroll and strengthen accountability in public service administration.