Federal civil servants have appealed to the Federal Government to immediately pay the outstanding two months of the N35,000 wage award, saying the delay has deepened the economic hardship caused by soaring inflation and the rising cost of living.
The workers, who spoke in separate interviews in Abuja on Tuesday, said the unpaid arrears had worsened their financial struggles, with many finding it increasingly difficult to meet basic household needs.
One of the workers, Ijeoma Okigbo, described the prolonged delay as discouraging, noting that civil servants had waited for months without any clear indication of when the balance would be paid.
“Sometimes, in situations like this, you don’t even know what to say because this is the money that we have been expecting. The country is getting hard, the economy is biting, and the inflation is getting worse,” she said.
She urged the government to fulfil its promise before other national issues overshadowed the commitment.
Another worker, Salamatu Umaru, said she had stopped expecting the payment to avoid further disappointment.
“Any expectation from this government, if I see it, I will take it. If I don’t see it, I don’t put my mind on it because it will only make me worried and stressed. Those making these decisions do not even know that you exist,” she said.
Kenneth Ukpara said civil servants remained among the worst affected by the country’s economic challenges, adding that the outstanding payment would enable many workers to buy food and meet other pressing family needs.
He appealed to the government to release the outstanding two months’ wage award in a single payment.
Grace Ekanem also said the wage award would provide temporary relief for workers grappling with rising transport fares, school fees and food prices.
“We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for what was promised. Many workers now borrow before the end of every month because salaries can no longer meet basic needs,” she said.
Abdullahi Musa said honouring agreements with workers would improve morale and increase productivity across the public service.
“When agreements are honoured, workers become more committed and productive. We hope the government will fulfil this promise without further delay because many families are depending on it,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu had announced the N35,000 provisional wage award on October 1, 2023, as a six-month cost-of-living support for treasury-paid federal workers following the removal of petrol subsidy and the resulting increase in living costs.
However, many federal civil servants said two months of the wage award remain unpaid, despite repeated assurances by the government.
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