FG to punish supervisors approving salaries for japa workers

President Bola Tinubu has ordered that all government employees who receive salary after moving overseas must return the money.

The President further ordered that the offenders' department heads and supervisors face consequences for their complicity in the fraud while they were in charge.

At the award ceremony held by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on Saturday to celebrate 2024 Civil Service Week, Tinubu issued the directive.

A few exceptional civil servants from key ministries were also being honoured at the event.

The President voiced his displeasure with the ghost workers' attitude through George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

"Recently, while I was in South Africa, I kept abreast of the week’s activities.
The information disclosed by the Head of Civil Service concerning workers who had moved overseas and continued to receive their salaries without formally resigning particularly affected me.

"The fact that steps are being taken to address this issue is encouraging, but we need to make sure that those who are at fault are held accountable and that compensation is given."

"The money that the offenders have wrongfully amassed must be returned.

According to Tinubu, "their department heads and supervisors must also be punished for encouraging and abetting the fraud while they were watching."

He restated that all necessary steps would be taken by the government to ensure that they were prosecuted and that the money was returned to the public coffers.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the issues facing the civil service sector.

"The difficulties facing the civil service are recognised by our administration.

In order to provide the best performance possible for the advancement of our country, I want to reassure you that we are dedicated to guaranteeing the welfare and development of every civil servant.

"For the past year, I have given the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation all the assistance required to guarantee the civil service's continuous stability.

The President stated, "I also assisted the office in putting into practice comprehensive policies and reforms that can enhance efficiency and service delivery."

The top three prizes were awarded to the winners, and 40 employees received additional N500,000 in cash prizes as part of the festivities.

Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, the HOCSF, gave the presentation and revealed the top three awards that three fortunate officers had won from the occasion.

"A brand-new 2023 JAC JS4 Luxury Model SUV is the star prize; a two-bedroom semi-detached bungalow is the second; and

A 400 square metre serviced plot of land is the third place winner.

Additionally, I'm happy to announce that, in honour of 2024 Civil Service Week, the Nigeria Customs Service has kindly agreed to donate six Toyota Camry vehicles.