5,000 Federal Civil Servants Face Potential November, December Pay Delays

Approximately 5,000 federal civil servants are facing uncertainty as they may not receive their salaries for the months of November and December. The revelation was made by Dr. Tommy Okon, the National President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), during a press briefing in Abuja.

Dr. Okon urged the Federal Government to promptly address the issues leading to the salary discrepancies. He highlighted that out of the 17,000 civil servants delisted from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) in October 2023, only those who had previously completed the verification process but were mistakenly delisted have had their salaries reinstated.

The core issue lies in discrepancies related to the date of first appointment and date of birth for 5,000 civil servants. Dr. Okon noted that 2,772 individuals have been successfully verified and forwarded to IPPIS for payment, as they encountered no issues during the process.

Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Dr. Okon advised affected civil servants to regularly check the Head of Service of the Federation website for updates. He assured that six dedicated teams are actively working to ensure a swift resolution to the ongoing challenges.

Despite confirming the conclusion of the salary processing for November 2023, Dr. Okon cautioned that those affected would not receive their salaries for that month. However, he expressed optimism that some of the affected workers might receive their salaries for December, along with arrears from September.

In a plea to the Federal Government, Dr. Okon, through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, urged expedited action to prevent any delay in December salaries. He reassured union members that all efforts are being made within the framework of the law to resolve the issues promptly.

Dr. Okon also addressed the recent promotions examination for Directors aspiring to become Permanent Secretaries. He highlighted the importance of such examinations in enhancing the efficiency of the civil service as the engine room of government policies.

Expressing concern about the quality of civil servants, particularly at the senior level, Dr. Okon stressed the need to prioritize competence and character. He lamented the decline in skilled officers within the Civil Service, citing the recent selection process for permanent secretaries that revealed a significant gap in knowledge and skills among candidates.

In conclusion, Dr. Okon underscored the critical role of highly skilled and knowledgeable officers in driving government projects and programs, urging a reevaluation of the system to ensure the appointment of the best-qualified individuals to key positions.