Federal civil servants in 12 ministries, departments, and agencies are facing potential delays in their salaries from October to December 2024.
This is due to budget constraints related to the recent minimum wage increase.
Investigations indicate that many agencies have exhausted their budgets for personnel costs, leading to this situation.
A notice from the Voice of Nigeria informed employees of the delays.
The communication detailed that the challenges arose from the payment of a 40 percent CONPSS Peculiar Allowance, which was not factored into the initial 2024 budget.
As a result, personnel costs for the affected months will need additional funding from the Service Wide Vote, causing a temporary halt in salary disbursements.
The Director of Press at the Accountant-General’s office acknowledged that the problem affects a limited number of agencies but did not disclose their names.
The notice read, “Consequent to the Federal Government implementation of the minimum wage in September 2024, and the non-inclusion of the 40 per cent 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.”
Some members of staff who spoke to Punch confirmed the situation.
A VON reporter confirmed that a circular was sent 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 with the News Agency of Nigeria said the issue is true, though some persons have started receiving their salaries.
The staff said, “I haven’t seen my salary but I was informed by our colleagues 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.”
In response to the situation, the Director of Press reassured that the matter has been addressed and that civil servants would begin to receive their salaries promptly.
He said that the issue would not extend into the year and that affected ministries would see their payments processed without further delay.
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 will get it from today. They will be paid. I don’t know precisely but they cannot be more than 12 MDAs.
“No, it won’t be till the end of this year. We have resolved it.”
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