….saves N23.7m monthly since 2021
…..inducts 305 supervisors, 115 others to ensure compliance
Gombe State Government on Thursday said its has deployed no fewer than 4,000 biometric machines attendance register to tackle absenteeism in civil service.
Speaking at the Gombe State University old auditorium venue of induction of 305 supervisors and the 115 others, engaged for the effective deployment of the register, Deputy Governor Dr Manassah Jatau, described absenteeism as the major challenge the civil service is bedevilled with.
He noted that the register is Governor Muhammadu Yahaya’s attempt to curb the challenge and yield the deserved efficiency in service.
Jatau said, “The system was paying people that were not working and so in actual sense should have no wages.The above has been of very great concern to His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who has transparency, accountability, prudence, morality and good governance as his watch words in everything he does.
Basically, the introduction and deployment of 4,000 Biometric Machines Attendance Register” across the state is his own solution to the issue of unknown workers, ghost workers or “yan alfarma”, who in turn “retire” to be “ghost retirees” thereby dishonestly placing financial burden on governments at all levels. Money that would have been used to solve socio-economic problems confronting the society/residents is paid to non-working workers. Apart from capturing the biometric features of civil servants, it captures the documentation of all the employees.”
Jatau disclosed that the introduction of the register has given credence to government, adding that about N23 million is being saved monthly since 2021
“So far this novel initiative of the governor has; saved government, a monthly sum of N23,758,858 since 2021.
Drawn the recognition and support of international organisations, for example, the World Bank, Development Partners like the Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunisation which saw this a model to be emulated by others.
“Move towards knowing the exact staff strength of government employees. My dear 305 supervisors and the 115 others engaged for the successful, timely, seamless and efficient operations of these machines, I wish to sincerely commend you for having met the requirements for you to be engaged, out of the numerous interested persons that applied,” Jatau added.
Also speaking, Managing Director of Human Capital Managers, Ismail Jibrin, said out of about 1.4 billion recovered from no shows at work, 1.5 billion was used for procurement of additional machines.
“Currently, 4,000 machines have been purchased and distributed. There is no single place where there is three people that there is no biometric machines,” he added.
