Why We Can't Increase Salaries - Buhari Tells Civil Servants

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1500"] Buhari meeting with Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria[/caption]

The president while receiving the Central Working Committee of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria(ASCSN) at the State House, Abuja, said the review of salaries cannot be done as the government was working within tight revenue constraints caused by the diversion of resources to urgent security threats nationwide.

The President of the ASCSN, Dr Tommy Okon, had called for an increase in salaries of civil servants, following increasing cost of living, restoration of full payment of gratuity at retirement, harmonisation of public service salaries and allowances, and increase in the budget of the National Housing Fund.

A statement signed by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, titled; 'Oronsaye report will lead to fundamental changes in our civil service, President Buhari assures' read;

"I wish to urge you to appreciate the revenue constraint being presently faced by the government, which is caused mainly by the activities of unscrupulous citizens through the theft of our crude oil, a major contributor to our revenue base.

"This is compounded by the global economic downturn as a result of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, which has led to price increases not just in the costs of goods and services globally, but also in the transportation of these goods and services across the globe.

"You are also aware of the enormous burden placed on our finances by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, let me note the significant investment we have had to make in security over the last seven years, which means other sectors of the economy have not been able to receive as much funding as we would have liked. Only when our country is secured that we are able to proceed and take on other aspects of our economic challenges.ÔÇØ

Responding to the request for restoration of the payment of gratuity to public service employees, the statement quoted the president as saying;

"Therefore, implementing your request for the payment of a bulk sum of gratuity to retired civil servants would negate the intent and provisions of the Act.

"It should be acknowledged that a change in the implementation of the Act will require an amendment by the National Assembly. But more importantly, the Pension Reform Act is a better designed and robust system that allows for safety of pensioners' funds and their payment.ÔÇØ