GOVERNANCE: In an attempt to cushion the effects of inflation and the difficulty it has inflicted on Nigerians, civil servants has approached the federal government to demand for salary increase, but met rejection from the presidency, Clariform Newsdesk has learnt.
- Nigerian civil servants have made a demand for increase in their salaries from the federal government in the face of the current hardship in the country.
- Their demand was rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari, who also tried explaining the reasons why it is not possible at the moment, despite his wish to comply with their demand.
- The president has now reopened the 11 year old Steven Oraseye`s report, which was submitted under the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan
What We Know
President Buhari on Friday stated reasons why the Federal Government could not increase civil servants’ salaries. This is despite his wish to do so.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, which quoted Buhari as adducing these reasons when he received the Central Working Committee of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria at the State House, Abuja.
He said this in a statement titled ‘Oronsaye report will lead to fundamental changes in our civil service, President Buhari assures’.
While responding to the committee’s request for the review of civil servants’ salaries, the President said the government wished to do so as it would cushion the effects of global inflation but the Federal Government is currently working within tight revenue constraints caused by the diversion of resources to urgent security threats nationwide.
Notable Quotes
“I wish to urge you to appreciate the revenue constraint being presently faced by the government, which is caused mainly by the activities of unscrupulous citizens through the theft of our crude oil, a major contributor to our revenue base.”
“This is compounded by the global economic downturn as a result of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, which has led to price increases not just in the costs of goods and services globally, but also in the transportation of these goods and services across the globe.”
“You are also aware of the enormous burden placed on our finances by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, let me note the significant investment we have had to make in security over the last seven years, which means other sectors of the economy have not been able to receive as much funding as we would have liked. Only when our country is secured that we are able to proceed and take on other aspects of our economic challenges,” the president was quoted as saying.
Immediate Implementation of Report
The President however said that he had directed that the Orosanye White Paper Report be reviewed immediately for the Federal Government to implement its general recommendation.
Buhari disclosed that the review was about to be completed and its implementation would bring some fundamental changes to the structure of the civil service.
While noting that public service, as the engine room of government, should attract the best and the brightest, the President further said:
“I have directed that the Orosanye White Paper Report be subjected to immediate review to enable the government to take the most appropriate decision on its general recommendation.”
“I am aware that the review is about to be completed. While some may complain about the length of time it has taken thus far, the outcome of the various review teams will lead to some fundamental changes in the structure of our civil service and as such, it must be subjected to rigorous review and scrutiny before presentation and implementation.”
Next on the Report
He assured that Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation would submit the harmonised white paper once it had been concluded.
The President noted that his regime remained focused on strengthening the civil service and ensuring that it helps the government to fulfil its objectives.
Buhari also took time to appreciate civil servants for their role in helping to realize the targets of the Federal Government.
The President also told the ASCSN that its request for restoration of the payment of gratuity to public service employees was one of the landmark provisions addressed in the 2004 Pension Reform Act.
In his words: “Therefore, implementing your request for the payment of a bulk sum of gratuity to retired civil servants would negate the intent and provisions of the Act.”
“It should be acknowledged that a change in the implementation of the Act will require an amendment by the National Assembly. But more importantly, the Pension Reform Act is a better designed and robust system that allows for safety of pensioners’ funds and their payment.”
The president said that a committee had been set up for the purpose of harmonizing salaries in the public service which reports directly to the Minister of Finance.
Buhari further stated that the Head of Service of the Federation had been directed to liaise with other relevant government agencies to see how the 2023 budget estimates could accommodate an increase in the budget of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board.
He explained that investment in security assets had been at a huge cost after several decades of negligence.
The president also expressed “unshaken” confidence in the Nigerian Armed Forces saying:
“Recent reports have shown the message is now being heard and the dividends of our seven years of investments are now maturing.”
He continued:
“I implore our forces to continue with the current effort and determination until we rid our land of these miscreants.”
On the other hand, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said members of the ASCSN had been supportive in actualising the programmes and policies of the current regime, describing the leadership as mostly public servants who were vast in civil service procedures.
Ngige said: “So when you negotiate with them, it is easy; and when you make the right point, they know.”
The President of the ASCSN, Dr Tommy Okon, had earlier called for an increase in salaries of civil servants, following increasing cost of living, restoration of full payment of gratuity at retirement, harmonisation of public service salaries and allowances, and increase in the budget of the National Housing Fund.
Catch-up
The Stephen Orosanye report was submitted more than a decade ago under the administration of the former president Goodluck Jonathan.
The Stephen Orosanye led committee was set up to look into the Nigerian civil service system and make recommendations on to overhaul it to achieve efficiency and avoid wastage.
The report was submitted in 2011, but has been a subject of controversy as it proposes, among several things, the merging and outright scrapping of over 263 government agencies.
It also proposed that the law establishing the National Salaries and Wages Commission be repealed and its functions taken over by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Responsibility Commission to save the government N2bn.
