A fake commissioner has been detected by the payroll of the Plateau state government, following a recent ‘cleansing measure’ by the government to curb corruption practices in its public service.

The Plateau state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Abraham Yiljap, who disclosed this in Jos, said “the discovery of the fake commissioner in the state service is one of the many corrupt practices found in the system’”

According to him, the alleged fake commissioner had been earning the salary and allowances attached to the office.

“This fake commissioner’s name was found on the payroll of Plateau State Government. I mean somebody appointed himself as commissioner and has been receiving salaries and other perks of office as one” he said.

The commissioner noted it was sad that workers had continued to thwart the government’s efforts to cleanse the system. ” the state has a monthly wage bill of N1.7bn…a sum that is incredulous and unacceptable…that huge wage bill is taking its toll on our efforts to execute capital projects.” he lamented.

Citing other corrupt practices in the public service, Mr. Yiljap said “some people are on Grade Level 8 but receive salaries meant for level 16 officers. Others have primary school certificates and are retiring on grade level 14.”

He also revealed that “in another instance, some of the workers connived and stole N66m scholarship funds. Some are no longer in the service but they are maintained in service. People are maintaining fictitious names and drawing salaries,”