The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Sir Chidi Lloyd, has dismissed claims that his administration has sacked council workers, insisting that no staff member has been disengaged.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bright Jossy-Elendu, Lloyd described the allegations circulating on media platforms as propaganda aimed at tarnishing his image. He stressed that August salaries are currently being paid to all verified council staff, adding that anyone yet to receive payment should approach the appropriate department rather than resorting to media blackmail.
The chairman explained that the ongoing biometric verification exercise was introduced to eliminate irregularities in the council’s payroll system. He noted that some individuals who failed to present themselves for the verification process—many of whom allegedly hold positions in other state institutions such as Rivers State University—have been making false claims of being sacked.
“You can’t disappear during the biometric verification exercise and suddenly appear during salary payment,” Lloyd stated, emphasizing that verification is the only qualification for receiving salaries.
He further accused past administrations of illegally adding “faceless individuals” to the council payroll, some of whom continue to demand salaries without proof of employment. According to him, his administration has documents exposing such cases of double salary earners.
Lloyd reiterated his commitment to the welfare of all genuine staff, while vowing not to succumb to any organized protest aimed at forcing the council to pay unverified individuals. He maintained that his zero tolerance for corruption, crime, and financial mismanagement will remain unwavering.
The statement urged the public to disregard the “misleading narrative” and assured that the council chairman will not back down from reforms to end long-standing financial irregularities that have hindered development in Emohua.
How did you identify who is a ghost worker since the verification exercise is still on going, let us be truthful to ourselves. Why must it be you in Emohua all the time I know that you are not bigger than the Executive Governor of Rivers State