All Political Appointees must be screened – Commissioner

… Says only about 4,000 are genuinely appointed

As part of efforts to dispel insinuations on salary delay, the Niger state government has disclosed that the ongoing screening exercise for political appointees in the state is compulsory, adding that “only about 4,000 are genuine and only those who scale through would be paid their salaries”.

While making this known in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Binta Mamman and made available to newsmen on Friday, the government said the exercise is for proper documentation and to flush out those who forged their appointments.

It should be noted that some appointees few days ago protested the delay in the payment of their September salary at the government house.

Hon. Mamman said “our attention was drawn to some unscrupulous elements who forged political appointment letters thereby causing the government to pay including those who are not genuine appointees of the government.

“We assure you that, the screening exercise is ongoing to enable the government identify the real beneficiaries”.

She added that, “for the record, the government only gave letters to about 4,000 political appointees of different cadres ranging from Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Coordinators, Special Assistants and others.

“This was done to have an all inclusivity government; to bring everyone on-board so as to reduce the rate of unemployment and then give the people a sense of belonging. But unfortunately, some bad eggs went ahead to cause unnecessary scene by forging appointment letters.”

Rueing the heavy salaries amounting to over N600 million, Hon. Mamman said “the government has decided identify the real appointees. This screening is the only way to checkmate, so as to reduce the expenses and burden on the government. This way, monies can be channelled to other very important areas in the system”.

Furthermore , she explained that, the Governor, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago has good intentions with the idea of inclusivity and deliberate attempt to bring everyone on-board.

She stated categorically that, “we can not do otherwise other than to look inward and flush out those parading themselves with the fake appointments as being part of the system.

“The screening is still ongoing, and all genuine appointees must appear before the committee and those parading themselves with forged appointments will be flushed out.”

She further urged the appointees to cooperate with the committee saddled with the exercise so that it will be seamless. “At the end of the day, everyone will go back smiling immediately after the documentation is done, because those who are genuine will get their salaries paid”, she added.