Federal Workers in 90 MDAs Await January Salaries

• Approximately 90 MDAs, including OHoCSF, Ministry of Information, Education, and others, are still awaiting January salaries, causing frustration
• The delay is attributed to technical issues on the GIFMIS platform, affecting federal workers nationwide and causing inconvenience and financial constraints

Reports indicate that approximately 90 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) within the federal civil service are still awaiting their January salaries, as disclosed by Daily Trust.

Among the affected MDAs are the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHoCSF), the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Ministry of Education, the National Population Commission, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), and the Voice of Nigeria.

Workers, expressing their grievances to both Daily Trust and Premium Times, voiced dissatisfaction, citing the recurrence of delays similar to those experienced with December 2023 salaries.

“Three of my colleagues and I are yet to receive payment. Given the escalating prices of essential goods, this situation is unjust,” one worker lamented.

Several employees suggested the delay reflects a lack of government concern for the populace’s hardships.

December’s salary delay was attributed to technical glitches related to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). January’s delay, however, is linked to a technical fault within the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS), as reported by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).

GIFMIS, an IT-based system to enhance budget management and accountability, has encountered challenges in finalizing the 2024 appropriation.

A memo circulated on January 31 by the bursary department of the National Mathematics Centre, Abuja, acknowledged the delay and attributed it to ongoing efforts to finalize the 2024 budget on the GIFMIS platform.

Similar delays were reported in Ekiti State, affecting various institutions and agencies, including the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

Wole Balogun of FUOYE emphasized the urgency of salary disbursement, given employees’ prevailing hardships.

Folashade Daramola from the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, highlighted the financial strain caused by delayed salaries, particularly affecting loan repayments.

In Katsina State, federal workers voiced similar concerns, noting the impact on their daily commute and work schedules.

The delay has disrupted Faruk’s routine. He is an engineer at the Federal University, Dutsin Ma, who faces challenges in fulfilling his responsibilities due to financial constraints.

Jude Abugu of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Edo State described the delay as a recurring issue in recent months.

Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the OAGF, acknowledged the impact, stating that uploading the 2024 budget caused the delay, affecting approximately 90 offices across MDAs.

While many workers began receiving salaries on Thursday, others received them on Friday and over the weekend, assuring that any remaining delays would be resolved promptly.