In a move to eliminate fraud and bring about efficiency in payment of salaries to civil servants in Abia State, the Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has inaugurated the steering committee of the Abia state Automated Workforce Identity Verification and Payroll Management system.

Inaugurating the committee at Government House, Umuahia, Ikpeazu stressed the need to identify genuine workers given that a huge chunk of government funds go into the payment of workers’ salaries.

He expressed hope that Zenith Bank, which is partnering with the government on the project, has the capacity to tackle the problem and warned all criminally-minded workers to turn a new leaf or be ready to face the wrath of government.

Dr. Ikpeazu assured workers in Abia that he would always work to promote their welfare, just as his administration was working to create a new culture where workers and appointees of government should have loyalty to Abia State. “I am confident that better days lie ahead for genuine workers,” the Governor said, adding: “I know that incentives bring out the best in workers.”

Earlier, the leader of the development partners and Regional Manager of the Zenith Bank, Gabriel Okenwa, had explained that the automated payroll system would eliminate the ghost-worker-syndrome, engender efficient salary payment and entrench efficient and fraud-free pension payment administration as they would deploy an ID-card that incorporates ATM card and photo ID-card which would give the holders access to various government services.

In his response, the chairman of the committee and Secretary to the State Government, Dr Eme Okoro, assured the governor that they would deliver on their mandate.

•Photo shows Governor Ikpeazu.