FG TO PAY OUTSTANDING WAGE AWARD BEFORE MID AUGUST, PROMOTION ARREARS TO FOLLOW
The Federal Government has assured public servants that payment of the outstanding wage award will be made before the middle of August, while processing of promotion arrears is ongoing.
The assurance was given by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, during a meeting with the leadership of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, JPSNC, Trade Side, led by its National President, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir.
The Minister said government had already commenced work on many of the issues presented by the Council even before receiving its formal communication, adding that the administration remains committed to resolving legitimate labour concerns through constructive engagement.
“When government makes commitments, it delivers. We are not in the habit of making promises that cannot be fulfilled. Where there are outstanding issues, we will give realistic timelines and ensure they are implemented,” he said.
The Minister disclosed that the necessary release for payment of the outstanding wage award was at its final stage and expressed confidence that eligible public servants would begin receiving the payment before the middle of the month.
According to a statement by Efe Ovuakporie, the Ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations, the Minister also assured the delegation that promotion arrears were receiving priority attention, with outstanding batches being processed in line with established procedures.
The Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mohammed Danjuma, said Batch 7 promotion arrears, which was inadvertently omitted during the earlier payment exercise, is now being processed alongside Batch 9.
He expressed confidence that beneficiaries would begin receiving their payments once processing is completed.
Danjuma further stated that government is working to address the issue of the Peculiar Allowance and other outstanding labour-related matters in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.
Providing an update on the payment process, the Director, Cash Management Department, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Christiana Osho, said reconciliation for the outstanding wage award had been completed and that the payment release was at its final stage
“Once the release is effected, eligible public servants will begin receiving the outstanding wage award, while processing of the outstanding promotion arrears continues in line with the approved schedule.”
The Minister directed officials to immediately review all documents presented by the Council, work with relevant MDAs, and accelerate action on all outstanding matters requiring government intervention.
Earlier, the JPSNC National President, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, commended the Minister for receiving the delegation and appealed for the speedy resolution of pending labour issues, including the outstanding wage award, promotion arrears, and salary relativity concerns affecting health workers.
He said timely implementation of the outstanding commitments would further strengthen industrial harmony and boost workers’ confidence in government’s resolve to address their welfare.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Raymond Omachi, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with organised labour to ensure that approved workers’ entitlements are processed and released without avoidable delays.
He stressed that constructive dialogue remains the most effective path to sustaining industrial harmony.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to sustained dialogue and collaboration to ensure the timely resolution of outstanding labour issues across the Federal Public Service.
