How Technology Can Solve Taraba's Payroll Crisis

 

·      Inside Battle for Taraba Payroll Control

 

 

As tension continues to rise over conflicting figures, disputed findings, and allegations of ghost workers in Taraba State's payroll system, a technology expert has outlined a comprehensive digital solution that could permanently end the recurring crisis.

 

Amid the ongoing face-off between the Staff Verification Committee and the Office of the Accountant General, a technology consultant, Umar Ayuba of HW Global Consult, says the state must now shift from manual processes to a full automation model if it wants to achieve accuracy, transparency, and credibility in its wage administration.

 

Speaking on the reforms his firm is proposing, Ayuba said technology offers Taraba State its most reliable path to ending salary disputes, payroll manipulation, and irregular employment entries. The consultant noted that persistent discrepancies—such as disputed staff numbers, allegations of overpayment, and conflicting audit reports—are symptoms of a payroll system still heavily reliant on manual inputs and fragmented data sources.

 

According to him, the proposed solution begins with identifying structural gaps that currently weaken the system. These gaps include manual data handling across ministries and agencies, duplication of staff records, inconsistent documentation, and the absence of real-time verification. "You cannot achieve accuracy in payroll when ministries, boards and LGAs operate separate files that are not synchronized," he said.

 

Ayuba said his team is recommending a centralised, automated payroll platform that integrates HR records, biometric verification, attendance management and salary computation into a single unified system. He explained that such a platform would eliminate ghost workers, stop file manipulation, and drastically cut delays in salary processing.

 

The consultant stressed that the automated system will enforce compliance with all statutory deductions—including PAYE, pension, NHF and other obligations—ensuring deductions are simplified, traceable, and remitted without human interference.

 

He added that transparency remains a central feature of the proposed solution. "With audit trails, real-time reporting and a secure digital interface, the State Government will have full oversight of the entire workforce at every point," Ayuba said, noting that this level of accountability will end the type of disputes currently rocking the verification exercise.

 

Ayuba also emphasized cost reduction and efficiency, saying automation will allow government to maintain a clean, accurate payroll database while eliminating leakages. "If Taraba State wants to be free of salary controversies, ghost names and conflicting audit reports, the answer is a modern payroll system backed by technology," he noted.

 

He said the solution is tailored specifically to Taraba State's administrative structure, and is scalable across ministries, departments, agencies, local government councils, and specialised boards. "It guarantees sustainability, accuracy and a modern standard of financial management," he said.

 

Ayuba expressed readiness for partnership with the state, saying HW Global Consult is prepared to work with government to strengthen the integrity and efficiency of Taraba State's payroll system.