Ghost workers’ scam: Reps ask Buhari to employ 23,000 unemployed into federal civil service

House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to replace the recently discovered 23,000 ghost workers with unemployed youths.

Recall that N2.29 billion was reportedly saved from the delisting of the ghost workers in the Federal Civil Service.

The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion raised under matter of urgent public importance sponsored by Dickson Tarkighir (APC-Benue),

Similarly, the House resolved to investigate the number of Nigerians currently holding more than one public office and receiving benefits from such offices in the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion by Abdulahi Faruk (APC-Kebbi), who expressed concern over the allocation of 70 percent to overhead of the total annual budget for the country, at the detriment of other developmental projects.

While ruling, Yakubu Dogara, House speaker, mandated the House Committee on Public Service to investigate the matters for further legislative action and report back to the House within four weeks.

In his lead debate, Tarkighir said the proposed employment of the 23,000 would help in actualising the proposed 3 million jobs of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I am not in doubt of the many curriculum vitae my colleagues have continue to collect from schooled but jobless constituents. This House has the identity of one commitment, which is to ease the plight of Nigerians and of our youths, especially.

“We will therefore, be living the essence of our stewardship if we once again show them that we care about their welfare and progress.

“There is no task more honouring than that. When ghost workers were discovered, we spoke out vehemently asking that Nigerian youth, eager and willing to work are made to replace ghost workers,” Tarkighir said.

He further explained that 23,000 staff drawn from the 36 states of the federation and FCT were about 621 employees from each state.

“This is about 14 person per local government. From Kano State that has 44 local governments, it is about 27 applicants of the unemployed cadre.

“From each of the 23 LG of Benue State, it about 36 applicants off the street. Do the maths per state, federal constituency and you will have a grasp of what effect the decision of this House on this day shall have on the nation,” he said.