The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has urged the federal government to pay outstanding workers’ entitlements, implement a ₦300,000 minimum wage, and address challenges affecting correctional centres nationwide.

Andrew Emelieze, national coordinator of the FWF, made the demands in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Emelieze urged the government to settle the outstanding two-month wage award owed to federal workers since June 2024 and to pay the arrears of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance.

“We remind the federal government of its outstanding obligations to federal workers, including the two-month wage award, peculiar allowance arrears, and the full implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage,” he said.

He also called for the payment of all outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the new national minimum wage for federal workers.

The FWF coordinator urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately review workers’ salaries, saying the current pay could no longer sustain workers amid prevailing economic realities.

“We reiterate our recommendation for a minimum wage of ₦300,000 and a maximum wage of ₦1.5 million for officers on grade level 17. We await an immediate response from Mr President,” he said.

Mr Emelieze, however, alleged that correctional officers were poorly remunerated and compelled to purchase uniforms, boots, belts, rank badges, and other official kits with personal funds.

He also alleged that officers participating in promotion examinations contributed money for the welfare of examiners, while similar practices allegedly occurred within the Federal Fire Service.

“We call for an independent investigation into allegations of extortion during promotion exercises and demand better welfare for correctional officers and other paramilitary personnel,” he said.

The FWF coordinator also described the conditions in correctional centres as deplorable, citing overcrowding, poor feeding, disease outbreaks, and the prolonged detention of awaiting-trial inmates.

According to him, the conditions expose inmates, correctional officers, and surrounding communities to serious health risks, especially the spread of communicable diseases.

“Our correctional centres have become places of torment instead of rehabilitation. No Nigerian should be subjected to such degrading and inhumane conditions,” he added.

Mr Emelieze called on the government to decongest correctional centres through a general amnesty and to grant the prerogative of mercy to inmates who have been awaiting trial for more than five years.

He also advocated speedy trials, urging authorities to ensure that no awaiting-trial inmate remains in custody for more than one year without the conclusion of trial.

“A prison sentence should not become a death sentence. The justice system must prioritise rehabilitation, speedy trials, and respect for human dignity,” he said.

(NAN)