By Rhapsodi Affos Blog (RAB) Reporter 

Jalingo, Taraba State — Rising frustration over the continued delay in submitting the verification report by the committee chaired by Abdulkadir Haruna has sparked a fresh protest by alleged ghost workers at the TY Danjuma House, Jalingo, just days before Christmas.

The protesters accused the committee of deliberately and consciously frustrating them, alleging that the prolonged delay was a calculated attempt to sabotage their chances of being paid despite completing the screening exercise weeks ago. Many questioned what the committee stood to gain while families continued to suffer without income.

Months ago, these workers staged a protest over unpaid salaries, prompting Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas to assure that legally employed personnel would be verified and paid, while others would also be screened and treated fairly. This led to the verification and payment of 1,410 workers, who received three months’ salary arrears, and were later paid one additional month following approval by the governor.

The remaining workers underwent a screening exercise initially scheduled to last one week but which extended to about three weeks. The governor had earlier stated that payment approval would follow immediately once the committee’s report was submitted.

However, credible sources revealed that during a meeting held yesterday at the TY Danjuma House, the governor requested the committee’s report, but the committee chairman, Abdulkadir Haruna, was absent and the report remained unfinished — sparking today’s renewed protest.

The protesters were initially denied access to the Government House for lacking police approval and were directed to the Police Command. They were later referred to the Secretary to the Government of Taraba State (SGS), Barr. Chief GT Kataps, due to the governor’s absence.

Addressing the workers, Barr. Chief GT Kataps informed them that the committee had not concluded its assignment but assured that the report would be completed on or before December 31.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Chairman of the Alleged Ghost Workers Forum, Abdulrahul Sani, appealed to Governor Kefas to have mercy on his colleagues, stressing that the delay had made life extremely difficult for many families. He urged the committee to expedite its work, noting that hunger and hardship had worsened, especially with the festive season approaching.

The development has further heightened anxiety among the unpaid workers, who warned that continued delays would only intensify public frustration and calls for accountability.