Economic Crunch: Salary increment not feasible, Buhari tells civil servants
President Muhammadu Buhari has turned down a request for salary review for civil servants, saying the current economic realities of the nation makes it impracticable.
The president on Friday expressed his thoughts when he hosted the Central Working Committee of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) at the State House, Abuja.
Though he acknowledged that high inflation has made the urgent need for a general salary review in the federal public service imperative, Mr Buhari listed various economic challenges being faced by his regime.
“I wish to urge you to appreciate the revenue constraints being presently faced by the government which is caused mainly by the activities of unscrupulous citizens through the theft of our crude oil, a major contributor to our revenue base.
“This is compounded by the global economic downturn as a result of the on-going Russian – Ukrainian war, which has led to price increases not just in the costs of goods and services globally, but also in the transportation of these goods and services across the globe.
“You are also aware of the enormous burden placed on our finances by the COVID-19 pandemic,”
Mr Buhari further said the huge investment in fighting insecurity had taken a large chunk of government expenditure that would have been expended on workers welfare.
“Furthermore, let me note the significant investment we have had to make in security over the last seven years, which means other sectors of the economy have not been able to receive as much funding as we would have liked.
“Only when our country is secured, that we are able to proceed and take on other aspects of our economic challenges,’’ he added.
The civil servants were led to the meeting by ASCSN chairman, Tommy Okon.
Mr Okon noted that the increasing cost of living had made it difficult for many public servants to carry on in spite of the minimum wage review. He advised that benefits of all public servants should also be harmonised for fairness.
“There should be equal pay for jobs of equal value,’’ he added.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Tinubu advised me never to negotiate with criminals, Gov Ododo says
“I don’t play with criminals, and I don’t negotiate with them. I can tell you that, as far as Kogi State is concerned, we don’t have a department for ransom payment,” he said.
Heading 1
U.S. has spent $37.5 billion on Iran war: Hegseth
“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” Mr Hegseth said.
Lagos
Slain Lagos NURTW organising secretary buried amid tears
Mr Ajiboye died days after he was attacked by gunmen.
Africa
144 refugees, migrants dead, missing off Mauritania coast: UNHCR
“The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe,” the agency said.
World
U.S. govt condemns Ortega’s ban on elections in Nicaragua
Mr Rubio urged the international community to rise against Mr Ortega’s dictatorship.
World
Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s top general after firing defence minister
Mr Syrskyi’s dismissal came days after Mr Zelensky fired Ukraine’s defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that sparked protests across the country.
