Niger State Government Clarifies Forged Appointment Letters

The government of Niger State has underscored the importance of the current screening process for political appointees, emphasizing that participation in this exercise is not optional but mandatory for all individuals in these roles.

Currently, there are around 4,000 individuals who have been appointed to various positions within the government. However, it has been clearly stated that only those who successfully navigate and pass this screening will be eligible to receive their salaries.

This measure is aimed at ensuring that only legitimate appointees are compensated, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the government’s payroll system.

Hon. Binta Mamman, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, provided these insights in an official statement. She explained that the primary purpose of this screening exercise is to facilitate proper documentation of all appointees.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce unnecessary expenses and alleviate the financial burden on the government.

It is worth noting that just a few days prior to this announcement, a group of appointees expressed their dissatisfaction with the delayed payment of their salaries for September during a protest outside the government house.

This situation highlights the urgent need for the government to address issues related to salary disbursement effectively.

In her statement, Hon. Mamman addressed some alarming developments, stating, “Our attention was drawn to some unscrupulous elements who forged political appointment letters thereby causing the government to pay heavy salaries including those who are not genuine appointees of the government.”

This revelation points to serious concerns regarding the authenticity of some appointees and the potential financial repercussions for the state.

The commissioner clarified that, officially, the government has issued appointment letters to about 4,000 political appointees across various levels and roles.

These include positions such as Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Coordinators, and Special Assistants, among others.

The intention behind this broad array of appointments was to foster an inclusive government that brings diverse voices and perspectives into the decision-making process.

This approach aims not only to tackle unemployment but also to instill a sense of belonging among citizens. Unfortunately, the presence of individuals who have attempted to exploit the system by forging appointment letters has marred these good intentions.

Hon. Mamman articulated the financial implications of these forgeries, revealing that the government is incurring salary expenses exceeding N600 million.

In light of this significant expenditure, the government has resolved to identify the legitimate appointees through the ongoing screening process.

“This screening is the only way to checkmate, so as to reduce the expenses and burden on the government,” she remarked, indicating the necessity of this initiative for the overall fiscal health of the state.

Furthermore, she emphasized, “We cannot do otherwise other than to look inward and flush out those parading themselves with the fake appointments as being part of the system.”

By taking decisive action against those misrepresenting themselves, the government hopes to redirect funds toward other critical areas that require financial support and attention.

This proactive approach is aimed at ensuring that public resources are utilized effectively and that the government can fulfill its obligations to legitimate appointees and the citizens it serves.