Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has denied reports suggesting that ghost workers are draining the state’s treasury, insisting that the real challenge lies with improperly recruited civil servants.

Speaking at a media briefing on Friday at the Executive Chambers of TY Danjuma House in Jalingo, the governor said the ongoing biometric verification exercise was designed to sanitise the payroll and ensure only legitimate staff members receive salaries.

“I am convinced that there are workers who are not properly employed, but they are not ghosts,” Kefas explained. “Some names appear on paper, but the people do not exist; others appear and disappear. What we want is to pay those who are genuinely working and also clear pension liabilities.” The governor condemned the practice of senior civil servants allegedly employing their children and relatives “through the back door” at the point of retirement.

He said such actions undermine fairness in recruitment and deny opportunities to qualified graduates without political or family connections.

“This situation is making it difficult for people who are graduates but don’t have connections to get a job,” he said. “I am determined to give people equal opportunities because there are many qualified citizens who deserve a chance.”

On education, Kefas admitted that the state faces major hurdles due to unreliable data and dilapidated school infrastructure. According to him, Taraba has about 3,000 primary and 500 secondary schools, many of which are in poor condition.

“My plan is to meet with headteachers and principals. I will release funds to teachers and mobilise parents and government to repair roofs, supply chairs and begin construction of new classrooms,” he stated.

The governor also called on journalists in the state to serve as independent monitors of government projects across all 16 local government areas.

“When we release money for projects, you should monitor execution so that stakeholders, parents, teachers, and government can be held accountable,” he said.

On criticisms against political appointees, Kefas described much of it as perception, but warned that acts of sabotage would not be tolerated. He cited an incident where a transformer at the Presidential Lodge in Jalingo was allegedly vandalised by government workers.

“I don’t want to be harsh, but when I investigate and find wrongdoing, people will be held accountable,” the governor warned.