The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, HCSF, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has provided an update on the lingering issue of ghost workers in the civil service.

DAILY POST reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had at the 2024 Civil Service Award and Gala Night, said civil servants who had relocated abroad while drawing salaries without formally resigning, must refund the wages they received during the period.

Speaking at a press conference to mark her 100 days in office on Monday, the HCSF said some of such workers have returned to their job in Nigeria while others resigned honourably.

She vowed that the momentum would be sustained to fish out such workers as it is a continuous process.

“On the civil servants who have ‘japa’, the issue came up and there was verifications done. One of them returned to the country to continue working while some other resigned honourably,” she said.

“Right now, it’s just to sustain the momentum. We’re still scrutinising using the IPIS HR and the IPIS payroll to know who is there and who’s out.

“I think that’ll be a continuous process to ensure that people are not having their cake and eating it by going outside and still receiving their salaries.

“Progress has been made in this regard and we’ll ensure that it is completely dealt with.

On the issue of harmonisation of workers’ salaries, the HoS said “the issue has been on for quite some time. When I came in I tried to find out where we are on that I’m aware that the National Wages, Income and Salary Commission is working very hard on that. I’m also aware there is a Presidential committee on Salary.

“And being a member of that committee, I can assure you that the committee is working hard to deal with all the issues concerning salaries. I want to remind you that just before the minimum wage was approved, there was what we called a wage award and that also was very beneficial to the salaries of civil servants.”