Federal civil servants will begin receiving full payment of their allowances by January, according to Minister of Labour and Employment — Dr Chris Ngige, as soon as President Muhammadu Buhari approves the payment.
Ngige said this when answering questions from reporters on Thursday.
He asserted that, in contrast to rumours that the federal government was considering raising public servants’ salaries, the reality was that the allowances for federal civil servants will be paid in full as soon as Buhari approved the payment.
The minister said: “The idea of paying the allowances to the federal civil servants was muted as part of measures to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship in the country.
“Contrary to speculations that the Federal Government is proposing a salary increase for civil servants, the true position is that the federal civil servants’ allowances would be paid in full as soon as Buhari approves the payment.
“Buhari is humane and kind-hearted but those who don’t know him or who are not close to him will think that he is wicked. Having worked closely under him, I can attest to the fact that he is a responsible and trustworthy man.
“This current administration is working very hard to finish strong and needed the support of all Nigerians at this dying minute.”
