PLEA: Reps Urge FG to Replace 23,000 Ghost Workers With Unemployed Youths

ABUJA—THE House of Representatives yesterday told the Federal Government to replace the 23,000 ghost workers discovered recently with unemployed youths.
The House, presided over by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, in its resolution on a motion on matter of urgent public importance, sponsored by Dickson Tarkighir (Benue -APC), told the government to do everything possible to come to the aid of the teeming unemployed youths.
Tarkighir had in the motion, explained that since the government had demonstrated the financial capacity to withstand the pressure of catering for 23,000 and the none existing staff, there was need to engage 23,000 unemployed youths.
He said: "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 honoring 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."
He further explained that with the unemployed youths from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, it would be enough to take over from the 23,000 ghost workers.
"This is about 14 persons per Local Government (LG). From Kano state that has 44 LG, its about 27 applicants off 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.
Tarkighir reminded that President Muhammad Buhari's government had promised to create three million jobs.
Meanwhile, the House has 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 sequel to the motion sponsored by Abdulahi Faruk, APC, Kebbi, and was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.
Faruk had in the motion, expressed concern that too much money was being spent to maintain public officials, to the extent that about 70 per cent yearly budget was allocated for recurrent expenditure.
He added that this was to the detriment of other developmental projects.
He said: "There is a need to put an end to the illegal and unjust enrichment of such individuals with public funds to the detriment of millions of other Nigerians, especially at this period of fall in oil price.
"That stopping the practice of public officials holding multiple appointments and earning emoluments therefrom would help in reducing the recurrent expenditure of the government and curb this act of corruption."
In the resolution, the House urged the Committee on Public Services Matters to conduct investigation to determine the number of Nigerians currently holding more than one public office.