FG to Clear Outstanding Wage Awards Before Mid-August, Promotion Arrears Under Processing — Finance Minister
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Government has assured public servants that payment of outstanding wage awards will commence before the middle of August, while long-awaited promotion arrears, including omitted batches, are currently being processed to strengthen workers’ welfare and sustain industrial harmony.
The assurance was contained in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance and signed by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Mr. Efe Ovuakporie, following a meeting between the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, and the leadership of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Trade Side, led by its National President, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir.
Speaking during the meeting, Oyedele said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to honouring agreements reached with organised labour and addressing outstanding workers’ entitlements through dialogue and realistic timelines.
“When government makes commitments, it delivers. We are not in the habit of making promises that cannot be fulfilled. Where there are outstanding issues, we will give realistic timelines and ensure they are implemented,” Oyedele said.
The Minister disclosed that the final processes for the release of funds for the outstanding wage award were being concluded, expressing confidence that eligible workers would begin receiving payments before mid-August.
He also assured labour leaders that promotion arrears were receiving the necessary attention, with the outstanding batches being processed in line with approved procedures.
According to him, government had already begun work on many of the issues raised by the JPSNC even before receiving the Council’s formal communication, adding that officials had been directed to work with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to accelerate action on all pending matters.
“Our objective is to build a system where issues are resolved proactively. We want workers to have confidence that once government gives its word, it will honour that commitment,” the Minister added.
Earlier, the National President of the JPSNC, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, appealed for the speedy resolution of labour issues, including outstanding wage awards, promotion arrears, and salary relativity concerns affecting health workers.
He noted that timely implementation of the commitments would strengthen industrial peace and boost workers’ confidence in government.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Raymond Omachi, reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to work closely with organised labour to ensure approved entitlements are processed without unnecessary delays.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mr. Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, disclosed that Batch 7 promotion arrears, which had been omitted in earlier payment exercises, were now being processed alongside Batch 9.
Danjuma also said efforts were ongoing to address issues relating to the Peculiar Allowance and other labour-related matters in collaboration with relevant government agencies.
Providing further updates, Director of Cash Management at the Ministry, Mrs. Christiana Osho, stated that reconciliation of the outstanding wage award had been completed and that payment releases were at the final stage.
Both the Federal Government and organised labour reaffirmed their commitment to sustained engagement and collaboration aimed at resolving outstanding issues and promoting industrial harmony across the federal public service.
