Screening Crisis: Delta Govt Exposes Civil Servants Faking Age or Living Abroad to Pocket Salaries

The Delta State Government has uncovered a widespread misconduct among civil servants, revealing that some officials are falsifying their ages or residing abroad while still collecting their salaries.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports the state government made the revelation amidst ongoing controversial screening exercise which had pitted some officials against the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.

State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, who drop the hint on Monday, said that the Government will not suspend the exercise, warning that it will not condone falsification of age, abuse of leave of absence, or indecent dressing in the workforce

Addressing newsmen, Aniagwu clarified that the screening exercise was designed to sanitize the service and restore integrity.

He explained that many officers had manipulated their records by presenting unrealistic primary school certificates that made it appear as though they began school immediately after birth.

Aniagwu stated that the government would not reverse the decisions of the screening committee, especially on officers advised to proceed on retirement.

He added that those who had abused leave of absence by staying abroad for years while still drawing salaries from Delta State’s payroll would be removed, with steps taken to recover funds illegally earned.

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“If there is anybody that has been advised by the screening committee to retire, government fully supports that decision,” Aniagwu said.

“We cannot continue to accommodate individuals who falsify their age or live abroad while collecting salaries meant for those working here.”

On the recently re-emphasized dress code for civil servants, Aniagwu said the rules were not new but anchored on provisions of the Civil Service Rules, particularly section 04314 on page 42.

He noted that just as every profession has an expected mode of dressing, the civil service requires its workforce to appear decent and corporate.

“When you come to work in spaghetti straps or slippers, you demean the image of the service. The civil service is not a free party where people can dress as they please,” he stressed.

“We are not telling you how to dress at home, in church, or at nightclubs. But during official hours, we expect decency.”

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Aniagwu argued that enforcing the dress code was about protecting the image of the government and ensuring respect for public institutions.

Reiterating the administration’s commitment to reforms, he said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s government will continue to uphold discipline, transparency, and professionalism in the civil service as part of its MORE Agenda.