A staff audit conducted on behalf of the Osun State Government in 2023 has raised concerns over the presence of alleged ghost workers on the state?s payroll ? a claim swiftly rejected by the Nigerian Labour Congress, Osun State chapter.

The audit, carried out by a consultant between July and August 2023, involved physical verification, biometric data capture, and the presentation of credentials by all civil servants and pensioners under the state government.

The exercise initially began at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, before being decentralised to the nine federal constituencies across the state.

Despite initial resistance from labour unions, who cited past hardships following similar audits, the exercise proceeded.

In some ministries, departments, and institutions, the audit report indicated a high number of individuals drawing salaries without any evidence of active service.

At Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, about 280 out of a little over 300 staff were reportedly tagged as ?ghost workers.?

This staggering figure included senior officials such as the Rector, Deputy Rector, Registrar, and Bursar.

An affected staff member, speaking anonymously due to fear of reprisal, confirmed:

?About 280 members of staff were declared ghost workers, including the institution?s top administrators.?

Likewise, the audit report on Osun State University, Osogbo identified approximately 257 staff, including over 100 professors, as non-existent or improperly documented.

Reacting to the findings, the Osun State Chairman of the NLC, Christopher Arapasopo, dismissed the audit?s claims outright, asserting that there are no ?ghost workers? currently in the state.

In a terse message to The PUNCH, Arapasopo wrote: ?The answer is straight ? No ?ghost workers? for now. We are still auditing.?

Attempts to obtain an official response from the Osun State government proved unsuccessful.

Calls placed to the Head of Service, Mr. Ayanleye Aina, rang out. When reached via text, he simply responded: ?Request noted.? (The PUNCH)

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