Bayelsa probes alleged illegal employment in Yenagoa council

Bayelsa State Government has set up a six-member committee to probe allegations of illegal employment of some primary school academic and non-academic staff by the Yenagoa Local Government Council.

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the state Deputy Governor, announced the committee which is chaired by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Konbowei Benson, during a meeting with council chairmen and local government education authority secretaries at the Government House, Yenagoa.

The constitution of the investigative panel came barely four days after Ewhrudjakpo cautioned local government bosses against payroll racketeering and illegal employment in their council areas.

Ewhrudjakpo said the committee was mandated to determine the propriety and legality of the recent replacement of retired staff by the Yenagoa local government council in view of the challenge of high wage bill facing the various councils and the state government.

He urged the committee to be thorough and objective in the discharge of its task, pointing out that the embargo on employment in the state was still in force.

He stated that it was improper for any local council to employ workers now that the state was grappling with high wage bill and dwindling resources.

Ewhrudjakpo advised the leadership of the various councils to be circumspect in their dealings and not to play to the gallery by taking decisions to promote their personal egos and political interests at the detriment of the common good.

He said, “A situation whereby the wage bill of our state is higher than most states with larger population is unacceptable. The Prosperity Government is desirous of changing the narrative, and bequeathing a worthy legacy of transparency and accountability to serve as a deterrent.”

The deputy governor said the government would probe allegations of illegal employment in councils and those found wanting would be sanctioned according to the extant laws of the state. (Daily Independent)