The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, in a statement, says the Federal Government would address the N35,000 wage arrears owed to government workers.
The AGF, speaking in Abuja, on Wednesday, acknowledged that the delay in payments was attributed to insufficient revenue and competing government expenditures.
Highlighting the government’s dedication to fulfilling its obligations to all Nigerians, including workers, Madein revealed that strategic initiatives were underway to bolster revenue streams and meet the financial commitments.
She emphasized that the N35,000 wage award, designed to span six months until a new national minimum wage is agreed upon, would not be neglected.
“The limited nature of government revenue and pressing issues demanding attention caused some delay. We cannot overlook monthly salaries to prioritize the wages award,” stated the AGF.
She further clarified that as government revenue improves, the commitment to meeting obligations, including the wage award, would be honoured.
The backdrop of this commitment lies in President Bola Tinubu’s announcement, shortly after the removal of the petrol subsidy, promising a N35,000 wage award to workers to alleviate the impacts of the subsidy removal.
However, as of September and October 2023, the government only disbursed payments for the wage award.
In response to the delay, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued a warning of dire consequences if the government ceased the payment of the wage award.
Civil servants, expressing concern over the outstanding arrears, urged the FG to expedite the settlement to alleviate the financial burden on workers.
The government’s efforts to enhance revenue and address fiscal challenges are closely monitored as Nigerians anticipate the timely disbursement of the wage arrears.
