FG to postpone civil servants' salaries for three months
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A report has indicated that federal civil servants in 12 government ministries, departments, and agencies may face delays in salary payments from October to December 2024.

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Gistreel reports that this issue stems from the exhaustion of the budget for personnel expenses in these agencies, following the recent approval of the new minimum wage. The increase in salary expenses has created a financial strain on the budgets of various ministries, leading to concerns about timely disbursements to civil servants.

A memo sent to employees at the Voice of Nigeria disclosed this information. The circular, issued by the Director of Finance on behalf of Director-General Jack Odeh on October 22, 2024, titled “Notice of Delay in October 2024 Salary,” explained that the delay is due to the distribution of the 40 percent CONPSS Peculiar Allowance, which was not covered in the 2024 budget. This allowance is intended to provide additional financial support to civil servants but its absence in the budget has contributed to the financial challenges faced by the affected agencies.

It also noted that personnel costs for October to December 2024 will be supported by the Service Wide Vote, causing a slight delay in salary disbursements. This means that the funding necessary to cover these salary payments will need to be sourced from a broader allocation, which can often lead to administrative delays.[/p>

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Nevertheless, Bawa Mokwa, the Director of Press at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, stated that this issue affects no more than 12 MDAs. He emphasized that the delay is not widespread but rather localized to specific ministries that have encountered budgetary shortfalls.

However, he did not specify which entities are involved, leaving uncertainty among civil servants about whether their respective agencies are among those facing delays. The lack of clarity has heightened concerns among employees about the status of their salaries.

The notice read, “Consequent to the Federal Government implementation of the minimum wage in September 2024, and the non-inclusion of the 40 percent CONPSS Peculiar Allowance in the 2024 budget, the Voice of Nigeria personnel budget has been exhausted. This situation has led to an urgent need to address the funding gaps to ensure that civil servants continue to receive their salaries in a timely manner.”

“VON’s personnel cost from the month of October to December 2024 will, therefore, have to be augmented from the Service Wide Vote. We regret to inform the staff and management that there will be a slight delay in the payment of salaries for the period of October to December 2024,” the memo stated. This acknowledgment of potential delays indicates an awareness of the difficulties faced by employees during this period.

“This is due to the ongoing process of augmentation, which requires necessary approvals from relevant authorities for VON and other ministries, departments and agencies involved. Please take note,” the notice concluded, signaling that there is an active effort to resolve the situation, albeit slowly.

The PUNCH quoted staff members to have confirmed the situation, stating that a circular was sent earlier revealing that salaries for the next three months will be delayed. Employees expressed frustration over the lack of timely communication and clarity regarding their payment schedules.

The staff said, “Yes, we are affected. We got a circular that our salaries for October, November and December are going to be delayed, but they didn’t give any tangible explanation.” Many employees are left in a state of uncertainty regarding their financial situations as they depend on their monthly salaries for living expenses.

Another staff member of the News Agency of Nigeria said the issue is true, though some people have started receiving their salaries, indicating that the disbursement process may not be uniformly delayed across all agencies. This inconsistency has led to confusion and varying experiences among civil servants.

The staff said, “I haven’t seen my salary but our colleagues informed me that they have started paying. It lingered but they have started paying.” This disparity in payment experiences highlights the ongoing challenges faced by federal employees amidst administrative hurdles.

“My colleague even informed me that they haven’t paid the new minimum wage. There has been fluctuation since this administration started, unlike past administrations,” a staff member noted, expressing concern over the overall stability of their paychecks and the implications of budgetary constraints on their earnings.

Remarking on the situation, Bawa said the issue has been resolved and affected civil servants will start receiving their salaries from today (Thursday). He expressed optimism about the resolution of the payment delays, providing reassurance to concerned employees.[/p>

He said, “That issue is already solved. The affected civil servants will get their salaries. We have taken care of it. For this month, any ministry that hasn’t got it will get it from today. They will be paid. I don’t know precisely, but they cannot be more than 12 MDAs.” His statement aimed to restore confidence in the payment process and alleviate concerns about prolonged delays.[/p>

He also refuted claims that the salary delay will happen till the end of this year. “No, it won’t be till the end of this year. We have resolved it,” he stressed, aiming to provide clarity and calm any anxieties surrounding salary payments moving forward.[/p>