Again, the Federal Government (FG) under President Bola Tinubu has announced the above-normal delay in the payment of the salaries of some Federal workers.
The FG in a notice to some of the affected establishments said that the salaries of 12 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will be delayed due to issues related to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
This delay is attributed to the exhaustion of the budget for personnel costs by the agencies, a situation prompted by the recent approval of the new minimum wage.
Other possible reasons include Verification issues, Non-compliance with IPPIS guideline and Incomplete or inaccurate payroll submissions.
The circular issued by the Director of Finance for Director-General, Jack Odeh, on October 22, 2024, titled “Notice of Delay in October 2024 Salary,” explained that the delay was caused by the payment of the 40 percent CONPSS Peculiar Allowance which was not initially included in the 2024 budget.
It further stated that personnel costs from October to December 2024 will be augmented from the Service Wide Vote, hence a slight delay in the payment of salaries.
However, the Director of Press at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, said the issue in question had an impact on not more than 12 MDAs, though he did not provide the specific names of entities involved.
The notice read, “Consequent to the Federal Government implementation of the minimum wage in September 2024, and the non-inclusion of the 40 percent CONPSS Peculiar Allowance in the 2024 budget, the Voice of Nigeria personnel budget has been exhausted.
“VON’s personnel cost from October to December 2024 will therefore have to be augmented from the Service Wide Vote. We regret to inform the staff and management that there will be a slight delay in the payment of salaries for the period of October to December 2024.
“This is due to the ongoing process of augmentation, which requires necessary approvals from relevant authorities for VON and other ministries, departments, and agencies involved. Please take note.”
Speaking to the Punch, a VON reporter confirmed that a circular was sent that salaries for the next three months will be delayed.
The staff said, “Yes, we are affected. We got a circular that our salaries for October, November, and December are going to be delayed, but they didn’t give any tangible explanation.”
Another staff with the News Agency of Nigeria said the issue is true, though some persons have started receiving their salaries.
The staff said, “I haven’t seen my salary but I was informed by our colleagues that they have started paying. It lingered but they have started paying.
“My colleague even informed me that they haven’t paid the new minimum wage. There has been fluctuation since this administration started, unlike past administrations.”
Commenting on the development, Bawa said the issue has been resolved and affected civil servants will start receiving their salaries from today (Thursday).
He said, “That issue is already solved. The affected civil servants will get their salaries. We have taken care of it. For this month, any ministry that hasn’t got will get it from today. They will be paid. I don’t know precisely but they cannot be more than 12 MDAs.”
He also refuted claims that the salary delay will happen till the end of this year.
“No, it won’t be till the end of this year. We have resolved it,” he stressed.
Affected MDAs might include:
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Defence
- Ministry of Interior
- Ministry of Information and Culture
- Ministry of Science and Technology
- Ministry of Transportation
- Ministry of Labour and Employment
- Ministry of Youth and Sports Development
- Office of the Head of Service
- Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
- Other smaller agencies