Debt over salaries: Federal workers abandoned this Christmas

DDM News

Civil servants employed by the Federal Government are enduring a subdued Christmas celebration following the delayed payment os salaries

December 2024 wages have not yet been paid.

The delay follows a similar issue with November salaries.

This has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to public sector workers.

Reports indicate that many federal workers received their November salaries only in the second week of December.

This has left them financially strained.

The delays have been attributed to inefficiencies in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

They have also been linked to a transition to a new payment platform.

During a visit to the Federal Secretariat on Tuesday, The Diaspora digital media (DDM) correspondents encountered frustrated civil servants.

They expressed their dissatisfaction over the salary issues.

One civil servant spoke under anonymity due to civil service rules.

The worker lamented the situation.

“I won’t be traveling for the holidays because I simply don’t have the money,” the worker said.

“Our November salaries came so late that many of us had already incurred debts.

We hoped things would improve in December, but it’s even worse now,” the worker added.

Another worker shared a similar sentiment.

“This isn’t surprising since we already faced delays last month,” the worker said.

“Although I tried to prepare ahead, it hasn’t been enough,” the worker explained.

“The rising cost of food and other expenses have left us struggling,” the worker added.

“If December salaries are paid soon, it will be a relief,” the worker concluded.

An Assistant Director from one of the MDAs outside Abuja expressed deeper frustration.

“It’s disheartening,” the official said.

“This is Christmas, and some of us can’t even afford basic items like meat,” the official added.

“Let alone chicken for our families,” the official said further.

“The government needs to prioritize our salaries and welfare,” the official concluded.

The Federal Government has offered explanations for the salary delays.

Speaking with The DDM, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Accountant General’s Office, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, confirmed that salary payments had commenced on Monday.

He stated that steps had been taken to resolve discrepancies.

“They started paying salaries yesterday,” Mokwa stated.

He acknowledged that the November delays were due to shortfalls in budget allocations for certain ministries and agencies.

These shortfalls, he explained, had since been addressed.

“Even the shortfalls were augmented to ensure payments were made,” Mokwa added.

He noted that the timing of funds reflecting in workers’ accounts would depend on individual banks.

Explaining the root cause, Mokwa linked the issue to the implementation of the new minimum wage.

This adjustment, he said, had disrupted salary allocations.

“The minimum wage adjustment affected the funds allocated for salaries,” Mokwa explained.

“This led to shortfalls,” he stated.

“The government has now addressed this to ensure December salaries are paid,” he concluded.

The Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, also confirmed the resolution.

During an earlier event, she emphasized that salaries had been paid.

Workers, however, continue to face delays in receiving the funds.

Bank processing times have been cited as the cause of these delays.

Despite these assurances, federal workers remain frustrated.

For many, the festive season has been overshadowed by financial uncertainty.

Timely salary payment remains their primary concern

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