RSG Saves N1.4bn From Payroll Audit

The Rivers State Government (RSG) says it has, as at May, 2013 saved over N1.4billion from the ongoing salary verification exercise in the Rivers State Public Service.

Head of Service, Barr Samuel LongJohn disclosed this last Thursday when the state Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Port Harcourt.

Barr LongJohn who was making some clarifications as requested by members of NMA, said the aim of the exercise was not to reduce anybody’s salary but to correct irregularities discovered in the system, pointing out that a situation where a staff who is supposed to earn N160,000 earns N500,000 is unhealthy for the economy of the state as the heavy monthly salary bill would affect development projects and recruitment of staff in the service.

The Head of Service, who described the situation as haemorrhage, cited other instances where in a ministry of 330 staff, 154 of them earn salaries of over N500,000 each whereas only 10 of such staff should earn about N350,000, stressing that if the situation continues unabated, it would come to a time when the state government would be unable to pay salaries as and when due.

He said the bulk of those affected are workers in the Health sector and others who claim to be Health workers, noting that a major hurdle to the success of the exercise is the inability of the respective departments to provide correct information to the verification committee and solicited the support and cooperation of permanent secretaries and heads of extra-ministerial departments in providing comprehensive data of their staff as well as enlighten them on the essence of the exercise.

Barr LongJohn further pointed out that other areas that have affected the salaries of workers is the recommencement of deductions such as the Contributory Pension Scheme, the National Housing Fund and the implementation of the new tax regime where the entire take-home pay is taxed, including all allowances, as well as loan deals entered into by some staff relating to purchase of plots of land.

He said the new tax regime was a law that has been in existence over the years but was not implemented in the state before now.

The Head of Service, who reiterated the premium placed on the welfare of workers since his assumption of office, said he would do everything possible to protect their interests, citing the suspension of the Tenure Policy for Permanent Secretaries and Directors as one of such moves that has impacted positively on service delivery.

Earlier, chairman of the state chapter of NMA, Dr. Ibitrokoemi Korubo had expressed gratitude to the Head of Service for his support in ensuring improved welfare of medical doctors in the state, and commended the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for his giant development strides especially in the health and education sectors.

He, however, requested clarifications on perceived discrepancies in their salaries as well as the heavy taxation made on their allowances.

The chairman also requested, among others, that the circular on the implementation of GL17 for Medical Doctors be gazetted, fixing of retirement age of doctors at 65, the completion of doctors residential quarters at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, and the inclusion of ambulance drivers in the Ministry of Heath in the health workers salary structure.

Highlight of the visit was the handing over of salary charts to the NMA chairman to enable his members make comparison with their salary payslips and enlighten them on the essence of the exercise.