Federal civil servants in Abuja have appealed to the Federal Government to urgently pay the four-month arrears of the ₦35,000 wage award promised to them. The workers expressed frustration that, despite initial assurances, only one month of the award has been paid so far.
The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation had earlier announced that the five-month arrears would be settled in instalments, beginning after the payment of April salaries. Following that announcement, a single ₦35,000 payment was made in May, but nothing has been paid since then.
Dr. Uche Anune, a civil servant, criticized the delay, saying the government should honour its promises without waiting for protests. He added that many workers rely on the wage award to support their families and manage the rising cost of living.
Another civil servant, Joseph Edeh, said he had started to lose confidence in the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare. He called on the authorities to pay the remaining four months’ arrears in full, rather than spreading them out over time.
Miss Franca Ofili, also a federal worker, noted that the ₦35,000 would go a long way in easing financial pressure on many households. She urged the government to take immediate steps to fulfil its promise and restore trust among civil servants.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Accountant-General is also addressing a technical issue that disrupted June salary payments for some workers. A spokesperson from the office explained that once the issue is resolved, the payment of the remaining arrears will resume.
The delay in payment has caused dissatisfaction among civil servants, who say they feel neglected despite their continuous service. They are urging the Federal Government to take their demands seriously and act swiftly to improve their welfare.
