Finance Commissioner inspects biometric capturing exercise for primary school Teachers

As part of the State Government’s efforts to ensure the smooth sail of the ongoing Biometric capturing exercise for Primary School Teachers under Local Education Authority, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan has embarked on an inspection visit to Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency centre.

The Commissioner who was accompanied on the visit by the Permanent Secretary, Elder Nse Ekefre, State Accountant General, Sir Udo Isobara, and other high ranking Officers from the Ministry were received on arrival by the representative of Skyebank Plc, the Biometric Consultant for the State, Mrs Emem Ekong who took them round the designated centre at Government Primary School, Ikot Ekpene to access the conduct of the exercise.

The Commissioner in an interactive  session with the Teachers, described the Biometric system as a modern and scientific method of keeping records which involves capturing of  bio-data of public servants which makes it easier for prompt payment of salaries directly into their accounts. He further stated that the approach involves fingerprint identity, issuance of valid unique numbers for staff identification throughout their service years and retirement which he said stem the tides of discrepancies in record of service, and above all, rid government payroll of ghost workers.

Mr. Bassey Akpan pointed out that the program is very cardinal to the State government, as its full implementation in the core Civil service has led to significant reduction in the personnel cost, which informed its deployment to all MDAs and LEAs. This, he said, will go a long way in making public funds available for other important programs and projects.

He said it was expedient to disabuse their minds as the Biometric system is no tool to witch-hunt any individual but an avenue to authenticate the actual number of Staff in government employ, and therefore solicited their support and co-operation for the attainment of the set goals.

The Permanent Secretary ,Elder Nse Ekefre commended the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio for putting the Biometric system in place, saying it has added value to Public Service and expressed satisfaction at the orderly conduct of participants during the verification and capturing processes. He said the mechanism will be extended to the 31 Local Education Authorities in the state. 

On his part, the State Accountant- General, Sir Udo Isobara lauded the Biometric concept which according to him has complemented the E-payment system, paving way for the propagation of cashless society in the country, as transactions can now be carried out on-line. He said that the initiative in the LEAs will expose people in the grassroots to the global trend in that regard.

Speaking on behalf of the Teachers, the Secretary, Ikot Ekpene Local Education Authority, Mr. Francis Ekpotu thanked the Finance Commissioner and his team for the visit and assured them of maximum support and co-operation of the Teachers for the success of the exercise.