Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has said that he would forgive civil servants who were found culpable of receiving double salaries after the government’s salary automation uncovered 935 people fraudulently being paid for the past ten years.
Uzodinma announced his change of plan while responding to the pleas of the parish priest of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkwo Emeke in Emekukwu of Owerri North Local Government Area.
The governor, who was a guest at the 65th birthday anniversary of Sir Jude Ejiogu told the parish priest that the civil servants who are complaining of not being paid didn’t tell the full story.
He disclosed that those who have not been paid their salaries and arrears are workers in the automated salary scheme caught receiving double salaries for the past ten years.
He said: “I was delighted to have worshipped at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkwo Emeke in Emekukwu of Owerri North Local Government Area for the Thanksgiving Mass of Sir Jude Ejiogu as he marks his 65th birthday anniversary.
“The words of the Parish Priest are valuable resources that I have noted and shall continue to improve on the level of progress we have recorded so far in the development of our dear State. However, I took time to address some observations highlighted by the Parish Priest, an eloquent man.
“In the course, I admonished our people for blackmailing the government without coming forward with the actual truth of events. The automation of salary payment to civil servants uncovered a lot of discrepancies on the path of the workers, especially those who had hitherto earned double salary from Government.”
“Nevertheless, I have rescinded the Government’s initial decision of prosecuting offenders, and we will commence the process of a resolution to enable those in that category receive their salary.”
