ICPC uncovers 45,000 ‘ghost’ workers in federal ministries

Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Ekpo Nta

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission said it had uncovered 45, 000 ghost workers in the Federal Ministry of Finance and all other federal ministries, a development that had robbed the country about N100bn.

The chairman of the anti-graft agency, Mr. Ekpo Nta, stated this while defending his 2015 budget before the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and anti corruption in Abuja.

He said, “Sir, of course you know what we have done in the Ministry of Finance, on the issue of ‘ghost’ workers, where over 45,000 ‘ghost’ workers were discovered, that has saved over a N100 bn.”

He said the ICPC had a robust relationship with the Federal Inland Revenue Service and had actually jailed some of their staff that are not doing the right thing.

He also said the Bureau for Public Procurement was also working hand in hand with the ICPC to stop wastage within the system.

“So if anyone provides false statistics through bidding exercise they will refer you to us and that has now started cleaning out that sector,” He added.