The Federal Government has blamed the delay in payment of October salaries in some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to the fact that the 2020 Budget was passed into law before the conclusion of negotiation on the new minimum wage and its consequential adjustment.
It said the provision made for salaries of some MDAs based on previous salaries had been exhausted, hence the delay in the payment of October salaries of some workers.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, made this known in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Information, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Olawunmi Ogunmosunle.
Some of the affected workers were said to have stormed the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation at the Federal Secretariat Complex in the early hours of Monday to demand the payment of their salaries.
Yemi-Esan said, “The delay is due to the fact that the 2020 Budget was passed before the conclusion of negotiation on the new minimum wage and its consequential adjustment.
“A lump sum was however provided in the 2020 Budget for minimum wage and its consequential adjustment.
“A committee made up of representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Budget Office and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation has been set up to determine the shortfalls of Ministries, Extra- Ministerial Departments and Agencies.
“The shortfalls are to be paid from the lump sum already set aside in the budget for the minimum wage and its consequential adjustment.”
The HOCSF added that the committee was expected to conclude its work by the end of this week so that salaries can be paid.
“While appreciating civil servants for their patience, the Head of Service also informed them that she is in touch with the Director-General, Budget Office, who assured her that salaries will be paid by the end of this week,” the statement said.
It was learnt that at least 428 MDAs in the federal civil service have reportedly exhausted their 2020 personnel costs and are therefore unable to pay salaries.
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