Federal civil servants are facing anxiety as approximately 5,000 of them may not receive their November and December salaries due to issues related to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). Dr. Tommy Okon, the National President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), disclosed the situation in Abuja and called on the Federal Government to swiftly resolve the issues.
According to Okon, out of the 17,000 civil servants delisted from IPPIS in October 2023, only those who completed their verification exercise but were mistakenly delisted have had their salaries restored. However, about 5,000 civil servants still face discrepancies in their date of first appointment and date of birth. Only 2,772 have been verified and forwarded to IPPIS for payment without issues.
Affected civil servants are advised to check the Head of Service of the Federation website for updates and information. Okon confirmed that salaries for November 2023 are concluded, and those with discrepancies will not receive their salaries for that month. He assured that some affected workers might receive their December salaries, including arrears from September.
While urging patience from union members, Okon appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action to ensure that December salaries are not delayed. He emphasized the need for resolving issues within the ambit of the laws.
Addressing the recent promotions examination for Directors aspiring to become Permanent Secretaries, Okon highlighted its importance in enhancing the efficiency of the civil service, which plays a crucial role in government policies. He expressed concerns about the quality of civil servants and the need to appoint the best hands for driving government projects and programs.
Okon lamented the decline in the quality of officers in the Civil Service, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue to ensure the effective implementation of government projects and programs. He cited the recent selection process for permanent secretaries, where only a small number demonstrated the required knowledge and skills, as evidence of the challenges faced by the Civil Service.
