– ABUJA (OHoCSF’ REPORT)
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita has said that government is exploring phased payments of Federal Civil Servants benefits incurred through service wide staff claims, particularly those bothering on promotion areas, first 28 days, repatriation allowance and death benefits, among others which amounts to about N293bn (Two hundred and ninety three billion naira).
While speaking at a press conference held in her office recently in Abuja, as part of the activities marking the 2016 Civil Service Week Celebration, Oyo-Ita said that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to explore ways of making the payments.
She said that the federal government has not been able to pay the claims largely because of the financial challenges the country is facing presently.
Oyo-Ita further stated that the affected workers will be paid their benefit claims after the conclusion of the phased payment formula that is being reconciled in collaboration with the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
She assured that staff welfare would be addressed from many fronts, noting that the service was exploring the possibility of providing bulk payments of rent allowances for workers within this financial year.
The Head of Service disclosed that a committee has been set up on national salary review and would sit with the relevant stakeholders to take a decision on pay rise. Adding, there was no plan to retrench workers, “It is cruel to throw people into the labour market”.
