By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Taraba State Government has approved the immediate reissuance of appointment letters to over 3,000 civil servants known as ghost workers who had reportedly gone unpaid for more than a year, amid earlier concerns of verification in the state payroll.
The decision was reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday, 26th May 2026, and presided over by Governor Agbu Kefas.
According to the resolution, affected workers are to be reinstated without delay following the conclusion of administrative reviews.
In a related development, the Governor also directed the Head of Service, Dr. Hamidu Ahmed Kara, to work with the Taraba State Civil Service Commission to commence the recruitment of an additional 1,800 workers.
The recruitment exercise is aimed at addressing perceived gaps and correcting federal character imbalance identified in previous civil service engagements.
In a media briefing in Jalingo, the Head of Service Dr. Ahmed Hamidu Kara, and the Commissioner for Information, Barr. Zainab Jalingo said that,
“Gov. Agbu Kefas after chairing the State Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, 26th May 2026, approved that over 3,187 unpaid civil servants who have gone without salaries for over 12 months be issued fresh appointment letters.
The Commissioner, for Information, Barr. Zainab Jalingo, said that during the Executive Council meeting, they were able to sort out issue on the ghost workers that have been like a drama for quite sometimes.
“I am happy to let you know that this administration is civil service oriented and the Governor was able to put to an end this issue of ghost workers to rest.
On his part, the Head of Civil Service, Dr. Ahmed Hamidu Kara appreciated Governor Dr Abgu Kefas for bringing the ghost Workers issue to an end.
“You could remember that when the committee for the screening finished work, we have 7,000 people on the list that were not properly employed and decided to screen further. We made announcement for people to come for screening, but out of the group, only 3,187 appeared in person while the remaining over 3,000 that didn’t appear for screening, we deleted them on the civil service list. Until today, nobody has come back to claim that their names are deleted, so we assume that they never existed.
He said that the government will not resume their payment, because they never existed, but for the 3,187, they will be invited and formerly employ as civil servants in its payroll.
“We will advise them to apply engage, Interwie and give them fresh employment.
“The Governor has also approved additional 1,805 to be employed across board for each Local Government to be represented.
The Head of Civil Service pointed out that the new people would be employed based on merit, adding that it is going to be advertise on New Media, purchase of Forms and be screened.
He use the medium to commend Governor Dr Abgu Kefas for being civil service friendly and for allowing the process to continue to an end.
“Let me remind you also that the Governor has paid gratuities to several civil servants and improve the salaries of Workers. He has paid N70,000 minimum wage, send many civil servants for training. There are lots of civil servants that are in National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies NIPPS, Kuru, Plateau State, the next batch will be going next month and we are just back from International Civil Service Conference in Abuja, just to mention but few.
He also use the medium to thank the Commissioner for Finance Sarah Adi, the Accountant General for their dedication, patience and cooperation in ensuring that the exercise come to an end.
“For the ghost workers, I say thank you for your patience, it is over Eleven months and today we are here celebrating – he said.