FG Vows to Soon Clear Workers’ Salary Backlogs

By Dipo Olowookere

The backlog of salaries of workers as well as their allowances would soon be settled if the latest assurance from the Federal Government is what can be taken to the bank.

During a meeting held on Friday in Abuja, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Chris Ngige, said government was commitment to putting smile on the faces of public servants in the country.

The meeting had in attendance the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr Udo Udoma; Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, represented by Mrs Batagarawa, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Head of Service; and Director General of the Budget Office, Mr Ben Akabuze.

Mr Ngige said yesterday’s meeting further demonstrated government’s commitment to permanently resolve the lingering issue of unpaid salary arrears and allowances of public servants.

According to him, the meeting, held in furtherance of the directive of the Federal Executive Council of May 24, 2017, displayed the efforts and iron cast determination of the Federal Government to clear all arrears such as outstanding allowances on promotion, 28 days relocation, repatriation, training, burial expenses and death benefits to public servants .

He added that government’s decision was anchored on a clear understanding that clearing these arrears form part of the palliative measures being taken to cushion the harsh economic realities on the public servants.

The Minister further stated that the Federal Government since that Federal Executive Council decision, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation was already processing the sum of N10 billion for the payment of promotion arrears with modalities for payment being worked out to make sure that wrong persons are not paid this first olive-waving step of the Federal Government.

Mr Ngige similarly noted that a disbursement of the sum of N14.6 billion had earlier been done in early 2017 to take care of the salary arrears arising from the shortfalls in the 2016 budget.

It will be recalled that the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria had earlier issued 14-day strike notice on the Federal Government over the issue. The ultimatum ended on May 30, 2017.