•As yuletide draws nearer, workers panic
•Mba: Agencies assured of payment this week
Kingsley Nwezeh and
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The federal government has advised civil servants to exercise caution in spending their November salary because of the possible delay in the payment of their remuneration for December.
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan issued the advisory yesterday in a circular.
She said workers should make provisions for Christmas celebration from their November salary because of recurrent trends of shortfall in budgetary allocation and its attendant effect on payment of salary in recent times across various MDAs.
The circular was dated November 25, 2021 and addressed to all staff, Heads of Departments/units and union leaders was titled:”Envisaged Delay in Payment of December 2021 Salary- a Cautionary Advice.”
The circular was signed by Dr. S.A. Adegoke on behalf of the Head of Service.
“It is noteworthy that while it is important to issue this advice, staff are here by assured that the centre is doing everything within its capability to forestall unnecessary delays.
“The contents of this circular should be treated with seriousness it deserves” the circular said.
Meanwhile, sequel to notification by the government, there was panic amongst federal workers and personnel of security agencies yesterday.
A memo issued by the Federal Medical Center, Keffi, Nasarawa State, warned staff of an impending delay in the payment of December salaries.
In the same vein, a similar memo by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, also informed zonal and state commands of the force of an impending delay in the payment of November salaries.
Therefore, the situation has resulted to unease among federal staff and personnel of security agencies 14 days to Christmas.
But Police spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police, said federal authorities gave assurances that the payment would be effected before the week runs out.
In a chat with THISDAY, Mba said police personnel were assured of payment within the week.
“We have been given assurances that the payment would be made before the end of the week.
“Relevant federal authorities gave us assurances that payment will be made this week”, he said.
Meanwhile, the IG has congratulated the Head of Chambers, Legal Section of the Nigeria Police Force and an Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP), Mr. Simon Asamber Lough, who was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
A statement by police said, “the elevation of the officer was on the heels of his outstanding contribution to the development of law in Nigeria, in addition to his enviable feats in the legal profession. He was sworn in on 8th December, 2021 by the Chief Justice of Nigeria following recommendations and approval by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC).”
The statement added: “ACP Simon Lough, a Police prosecutor par excellence, was appointed as a cadet officer (ASP) into the service of the Nigeria Police Force in the year 2000. Twenty-one (21) years down the line in Public Service, ACP Lough has served in various departments of the force including the legal section and held national positions on implementing legal policies for the country.”
