… “System Corrective Not Punitive” Says Finance Commissioner
By Adamu Abubakar, Gombe
Gombe State Government has stated that the Biometric Attendance System it has adopted in the state civil service has started yielding positive results as the state save hundreds of millions of Naira after the full implementation of the system.
This was made known by the Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Mallam Muhammad Gambo Magaji while entertaining questions from newsmen in his office.
Hon. Magaji explained that, the biometric attendance system was a well-thought policy initiated by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s Administration to improve productivity while maintaining efficiency in service.
He said the government was consistent and strategic in implementing the policy, expressing optimism that the policy will reposition and modernize the state civil service in tune with Governor Inuwa’s reforms and long term visions.
The commissioner dispelled the insinuations that the implementation of the biometric attendance system was ill-iitended. He said “government has no intention whatsoever to deliberately hurt any body. The system is corrective not punitive.
People are going through a lot of hardships already and government is very much aware of that and is doing everything possible to bring succor”, he added.
He noted that the implementation of the Biometric Attendance System has generated a lot of employment opportunities, increased productivity, saved hundreds of millions of Naira for the government which will be used to improve workers welfare and pay gratuities, and lots more.
“In addition, we are monitoring to see possible redeployment of workers from agencies, departments or ministries with more workers than required to places where there is paucity or scacity of workforce” he said.
Answering questions on whether the machine can be by-passed, Magaji said “it is not possible, the machine is programmed and dated, it shows the date and time of the thumbprint, therefore you cannot thumbprint in advance” he clarified.
He acknowledged the receipt of complaints on issues that have to do with holidays, annual leave, study leave etc, and promised that all the issues will be incorporated into the system so that no worker will be intimidated.
“The system is new, therefore it is normal to face challenges like these, but we are working round the clock to address them once and for all”.
Hon. Magaji pointed out that government provided a strong technical committee that is working closely with the consultants towards tackling problems that may arise in the course of the implementation of the project.
Any worker whose salary was held due to being absence at his place of assignment, that worker can produce all his genuine documents and approach the technical committee. We will look into it, and if he justifies his absence, then his salary will be duly released.
Speaking on the delay in the payment of January, 2024 salaries, Hon Magaji said since the inception of this administration, more than 95% of salaries were paid on or before 25th of every month.
“The delay in January, 2024 salaries was as a result of system glitch. The salaries were placed as usual on 25th but our service providers encountered a system downtime, the system could not work effectively.
“We got on top of the matter and it was processed again and every worker received his salary. But unfortunately some received double salaries. We successfully retrieved most of the salaries with the exeception of some few who had already withdrew their money. So these workers will not get their February salaries”, he explained.
Biometric Attendance System is one of the Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s digital reforms aimed at repositioning the state on the path of sustainable growth and development while ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.