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.
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.
A memo sent to employees at the Voice of Nigeria disclosed this information. The circular, issued by 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.
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.
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.
However, he did not specify which entities are involved.
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.
“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.
“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 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.
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.”
Another staff member of the News Agency of Nigeria said the issue is true, though some people have started receiving their salaries.
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.
“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.”
Remarking on the situation, Bawa said the issue has been resolved and affected civil servants will start receiving their salaries from today (Thursday).
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.”
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.