Coalition of Taraba Youths for Reform and Governance (CTYRG) have passed vote of confidence on Governor Agbu Kefas led civil service reform and staff verification exercise
The Chairman of the coalition, Manly Joshua, in a press briefing held in Jalingo, Taraba State, said the group has carefully followed the civil service reforms and staff verification exercise initiated by the administration of the governor and has confidence it would bear fruitful results in the near future.
“Our review shows that between June 2023 and July 2025, the staff strength of the Taraba State Civil Service increased from about 19,000 to 25,000, resulting in 6,528 names being irregularly introduced into the payroll system without due executive approval.
“The governor ordered for staff verification exercise in November 2024, followed by the constitution of a Biometric Verification Committee in 2025, headed by the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Government House.
CTYRG said, according to the committee’s findings, 6,528 individuals were expected to be verified; 3,183 persons appeared for verification, 3,345 persons failed to appear while 1,049 individuals who appeared were not found in the payroll records of any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA).
The youths, further, stated that clarification revealed a huge number of 1,049 individuals that were not on the official payroll, but had purchased appointment letters from unscrupulous civil servants who acted against the interest of the state. “These actions clearly point to an internal sabotage of the civil service system rather than genuine employment.
“As a direct outcome of the verification and screening exercise, the committee successfully reduced the state salary bill to about ₦3 billion monthly, inclusive of political appointees, thereby restoring fiscal discipline and freeing resources for governance and development.
“In view of these facts, the Coalition hereby passes a Vote of Confidence on the Dr. Agbu Kefas administration and fully endorses the work of the Civil Service Verification Committee and strongly dissociate ourselves from sponsored protests aimed at discrediting this reform”, Joshua stated.
