Ex-Rector, Imo Polytechnic allegedly still receiving salaries after retirement

In an institution where some staff still lament underpayment of salaries and payroll omissions, findings indicate that former Rector of the Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Rev. Fr. (Dr) Wence Madu may still be receiving salaries several months after his retirement.

Wence according to available records was born on 28th September 1955 and retired on the 28th of September 2020.

In a list of paid workers published by the Imo state government, Wence was listed as one of the staff of the State’s Polytechnic who has been paid their salaries up to date.

Dr. Wence who draws his salaries via CMF, St. Dominic C.C. Afara was listed with Identification number 000549/-229 and serial number 212 in the record obtained by newsmen.

A source at the Polytechnic said that it was not actually the job of the Polytechnic management to stop salary payments.

“What we do is to shortlist those personnel that are due for retirement and forward to the Government and that we have done. Everyone in this institution understands that salaries are paid by the government and it is not the responsibility of the institution who gets paid or who does not. It is therefore the responsibility of Government to delist such personnel whose names have been forwarded as due for retirement from the payroll. If government is still paying any of such personnel, it is possible they may have been re-assigned or re-absorbed by government.”

The Bursar of the institution, Mr. Linus Okafor had some days before told newsmen that he was unaware that the former Rector was still receiving salaries from the Polytechnic and promised to verify and revert.

But when contacted by our correspondent, he declined to comment saying that our correspondent had no right to call him up on a Saturday to discuss official matters.

“You cannot just call me up on a Saturday to discuss official matters. This is a weekend and you are calling me to discuss official matters. Come to the Polytechnic on Monday and speak with the relevant officials. He dropped the call.”

Contacted also, the Imo state Accountant-General, Mr. Reginald Obiezu, apparently surprised, said he was unaware of the development and promised to look into the matter.

Calls put through to Dr. Wence Madu did not connect.