FG assures workers of wage award payment before mid-August

By Onu Okorie

Federal Government has assured public servants that the outstanding wage award will be paid before the middle of August, even as promotion arrears continue to be processed as part of efforts to meet its commitments to workers.

The assurance came from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, during a meeting with leaders of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council JPSNC, Trade Side, led by National President Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir.

Oyedele said the government had already begun work on many of the issues raised by the Council before receiving its formal communication, stressing that the administration remains committed to resolving labour concerns through dialogue.

“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,” he said.

He disclosed that the release for payment of the wage award was being finalised and expressed confidence that eligible public servants would begin receiving payment before mid-month. He added that promotion arrears were also receiving attention, with outstanding batches being processed according to established procedures.

The minister directed officials to review all documents submitted by the Council, liaise with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and speed up action on pending matters.

While acknowledging labour’s concerns over delays in implementing past agreements, Oyedele pledged that government would keep strengthening trust through openness, consultation and prompt action. “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,” he said.

Responding, Comrade Minjibir commended the minister for receiving the delegation and appealed for speedy resolution of pending issues, including the wage award, promotion arrears, and salary relativity concerns affecting health workers, among others. He said timely implementation would strengthen industrial harmony and boost workers’ confidence in government.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Raymond Omachi, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring approved entitlements are processed without avoidable delays, describing dialogue as the most effective path to industrial harmony.

Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, said government was making steady progress on outstanding entitlements. He disclosed that Batch 7 promotion arrears, earlier omitted from a payment exercise, is now being processed alongside Batch 9, and that government was also working to address the Peculiar Allowance and other labour-related matters.

Director, Cash Management Department, Christiana Osho, said reconciliation for the wage award had been completed and the payment release was at its final stage, with disbursement to eligible workers expected once approvals are effected.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue to ensure the timely resolution of outstanding labour issues and sustained industrial harmony across the Federal Public Service.