…Begins Issuance Of Automated Pay-slips

The Rivers State Government, has announced the commencement of its automated public accounting system. This new system would greatly check the high wage bill of the state, simplify the payment process and put in place a transparent remuneration system.

The state Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside told newsmen in Port Harcourt that henceforth, pay slips would be issued to all civil servants at the end of every month.

He said, “the pay slips, which will be sent to all ministries, departments and agencies (MDA’s) through the e-mail address    created by the state government would subsequently be printed by their respective Heads of Accounts and Administration and then distributed to all employees. “This will make for a transparent policy where civil servants are aware of their remunerations and any deductions.”

“The new automated payroll system has been designed to identify and expunge ghost workers from the system while accurately aligning wages to specific employee grade-levels and salary structure,” he said.

Peterside noted that the ministry would for the first time generate the state government’s payroll to be used for salary payment this July.

Selection of vendors for the implementation of the automated accounting system was fully on course, according to Peterside, as plans were being concluded to engage the services of world class information technology and accounting experts before the end of August.

Meanwhile, the commissioner has reiterated the plan of the Rivers State Government to comply with international public sector accounting practices by initiating training of its accounting and finance directors.

According to him, “the training on the transition to International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) will take place at the TINAPA Business Resort, Calabar in August with participants drawn from account departments of all MDAs in the state. The training will expose the participants to key concepts and practices of modern international public sector accounting that is based on accrual methods rather than cash accounting”.

The state Ministry of Finance has also announced plans to commence revenue enhancing programmes, one of which is the RIV-LOTTO lottery scheme recently approved by the Governor Chibuike Amaechi-led administration to diversify the revenue base of the state and help fund free social services.

The commissioner added that the idea of installing toll booths at the new Abuloma-Woji Bridge currently under construction in Port Harcourt had also been approved.

“These revenue enhancing programme will all be technology-driven to ensure easy tracking and maximum efficiency while eradicating misuse of public funds,” he said.