Cross River uncovers over 2,000 questionable payroll records during verification exercise

By Ike Uchechukwu

CALABAR — The Cross River State Government has identified more than 2,000 questionable payroll records during a current verification exercise. The records include invalid Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) and duplicate entries.

The findings emerged while staff records were being checked across local government payroll systems. A large portion of the flagged entries were linked to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Chief Victor‑Felix Idem, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, revealed the information during an interactive session with labour leaders and journalists in Calabar. The meeting followed concerns raised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) about salary issues.

Idem said the exercise aims to strengthen payroll integrity and ensure that salaries are paid only to properly verified workers.

He noted that the verification process uncovered instances where the same BVN appeared multiple times in payroll records, prompting further scrutiny.

“We have discovered over 2,000 invalid and questionable records in the payroll system. In some cases, a single BVN appeared in multiple payroll entries. The objective is to ensure accountability and protect public funds while guaranteeing that legitimate workers receive their salaries,” he said.

The commissioner added that many of the records under review were connected to SUBEB payroll data.

Addressing allegations of half‑salary payments to teachers, Idem explained that the Ministry of Local Government Affairs uploads payroll information, while local government councils handle salary disbursements.

“This ministry does not pay salaries. We only upload the payroll. Local government councils are responsible for salary payments. Anyone with concerns regarding salary payments should provide relevant details and evidence to enable proper investigation,” he said.

He assured affected workers that records would be reviewed once valid BVNs and other required documentation are submitted.

Idem also revealed that labour leaders have been granted access to relevant verification records to help identify and resolve discrepancies.

During the meeting, NUT Cross River State Chairman Comrade Greg Olayi acknowledged the government’s efforts to cleanse the payroll system but noted that some teachers who had complied with the verification process were still facing salary challenges.

Olayi also raised concerns about delays in promotions and salary adjustments.

Similarly, Comrade Leko Otabe, President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Cross River State, supported the verification exercise and called for ongoing engagement between the government and labour unions to address emerging issues.

The Auditor‑General for Local Government, Elder Bassey Abam Eko, explained that the implementation of some promotions had been temporarily suspended to allow for record reconciliation and assessment of financial implications.

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