Ebonyi State House of Assembly has uncovered the use of fake certificates by workers in the state’s local government system.

The discovery was made by Mr Vincent Nwibo-led House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, during its ongoing screening of treasurers and head of departments of the 13 councils in the state.

Nwibo, who presented the committee’s interim report to the House on Wednesday, said some local government workers had been working with fake certificates.

“It is disheartening to discover that a blind man works as a treasurer and signs vouchers in a development centre in one of the councils.

“The committee observed that some principal officers who were incapacitated due to ill health were still under the payroll of local governments in the state.

“There are multiple cases of certificate forgery with a large percentage of the principal officers receiving employment and promotions based on forged certificates, ” he said.

He urged the lawmakers to give more time to the committee to enable it make appropriate recommendations that would address the rot in the state’s local government administration system.

“The committee will ensure justice and fairness in the discharge of its duties and restoring peace in the local government service commission,” he said.

Chief Eni Chima, representing Afikpo South West constituency, called on the House to adopt the report as a working document pending the submission of the final report.

He said in his motion that the findings of the committee were thought-provoking had his motion seconded by Mr Chris Usulor, representing Ezza South constituency.

via Punch