A wave of anxiety is sweeping through the ranks of federal civil servants in Nigeria, with about 5,000 of them facing the possibility of not receiving their November and December salaries. This concern comes following issues with the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
According to a report by The Guardian, Dr. Tommy Okon, National President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), brought this issue to light in Abuja. He is calling on the Federal Government to address these challenges swiftly to avoid further distress among the workers.
Dr. Okon explained that out of the 17,000 civil servants initially delisted from IPPIS in October 2023, only those who had previously completed their verification but were erroneously removed have seen their salaries reinstated. He noted that the remaining 5,000 civil servants are still facing discrepancies related to their date of first appointment and date of birth. He confirmed that 2,772 of these workers have been verified and cleared for payment.
Dr. Okon advised affected civil servants to stay informed by regularly visiting the Head of Service of the Federation website for updates. He mentioned that six teams are working diligently to ensure the verification exercise is completed promptly.
“We have confirmation that the salary process for November 2023 is concluded. Therefore, those affected will not receive their salaries for November,” said Dr. Okon. However, he offered some reassurance, stating that some workers might receive their December salaries, including arrears from September.
Dr. Okon urged the Federal Government, through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, to expedite action to avoid delays in December salary payments. He called on union members to remain patient, assuring them that all efforts are being made to resolve these issues quickly and within legal parameters.
Addressing the recent promotions examination for Directors aspiring to become Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Okon emphasized its importance in enhancing the efficiency of the civil service, which is vital in implementing government policies. He highlighted the Public Service Rule (PSR) that outlines a competitive selection process for these roles, involving written exams, ICT proficiency tests, and oral interviews.
Dr. Okon expressed concern over the declining quality of senior civil servants, crucial for driving government projects and programs. He referenced the recent selection exercise for permanent secretaries, where only a fraction of the candidates demonstrated the necessary skills and knowledge.
“This situation reflects the current state of our civil service. It is imperative that we focus on improving the quality of our senior civil servants, who are expected to embody exceptional character and competence,” Dr. Okon concluded.
