IPPIS is pro-corruption, ASUU Owerri zone insists

… Challenges FG to show proof of 70,000 ghost workers uncovered

As members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) continue their battle with the Federal Government over the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the Owerri zone of the union, comprising universities in the Southeast zone, rose from their meeting resolving that they would not support the system, dubbing it as a “pro – corruption” tool

The union also challenged the minister of finance and national planning, Zainab Ahmed to show proof of identities of the 70,000 ghost workers uncovered as a result of the IPPIS scheme.

Addressing journalists at the union’s office in the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), the zonal coordinator, Uzo Onyebinama said the union had begun warning strike in protest against government’s action.

“IPPIS, as it is, is pro-corruption. In addition to its manifest shortcomings in addressing the peculiarities of the university system, its violation of the autonomy of our universities, it does not border on transparency and accountability.”

Onyebinama, said: “Claims by the minister of finance and national planning, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, that IPPIS has flushed out 70,000 ghost workers from the payroll of the Federal Government has not been substantiated by any empirical evidence and is probably fraudulent.

“We make hold to demand answers from the minister to the following questions. What are the identities of the “ghost workers”? How were they enrolled in the payroll of the Federal Government? Who enrolled them? Into what banks were their salaries paid? Who withdrew their salaries from the banks? What actions has the Federal Government taken to prosecute the culprits?”

According to the union, the answers to the questions would help provide empirical evidence of the claim by the minister, charging recovery of the alleged looted funds.

The union also lamented alleged slashing of the February salaries of the university workers, vindicating them of their accusations against the Federal Government.