Oyedele: FG Will Settle Wage Award Before Mid-August, Clear Promotion Arrears
ABUJA – The Federal Government has assured public servants that payment of the outstanding wage award will commence before the middle of August, while outstanding promotion arrears are also being processed as part of efforts to fulfil its commitments to workers.
The assurance was given by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, during a meeting with the leadership of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Trade Side, led by its National President, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir.
Oyedele said the government had already begun addressing many of the concerns raised by the Council even before receiving its formal communication, stressing that the administration remains committed to resolving genuine labour issues through continuous dialogue.
According to him, the necessary approvals for the payment of the outstanding wage award are being finalised, expressing confidence that eligible public servants will begin receiving the payments before the middle of August.
“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,” the Minister said.
He also disclosed that the processing of outstanding promotion arrears was progressing in line with established procedures, while directing relevant officials to work closely with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to expedite action on all pending labour-related issues.
The Minister acknowledged concerns raised by organised labour over delays in implementing some agreements but assured workers that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen trust through transparency, regular consultations 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 added.
Earlier, the National President of the JPSNC, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, commended the Minister for engaging with the union and appealed for the speedy resolution of outstanding labour issues, including the wage award, promotion arrears, salary relativity concerns affecting health workers and other welfare-related matters.
He noted that prompt implementation of the outstanding commitments would promote industrial harmony and boost workers’ confidence in the government’s commitment to their welfare.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Raymond Omachi, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with organised labour to ensure approved workers’ entitlements are processed and released without unnecessary delays.
Omachi said the Ministry would continue collaborating with relevant government institutions to fast-track the resolution of outstanding labour issues, describing constructive dialogue as the most effective means of sustaining industrial peace.
The Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, disclosed that Batch 7 promotion arrears, which had been inadvertently omitted during an earlier payment exercise, are now being processed alongside Batch 9.
He expressed confidence that beneficiaries would receive their payments once processing is completed, adding that the Federal Government is also working to resolve issues relating to the Peculiar Allowance and other outstanding labour matters.
Providing an update on the payment process, the Director of the Cash Management Department, Christiana Osho, said reconciliation for the outstanding wage award had been completed and that the payment release was at its final stage.
She explained that once the release is effected, eligible public servants would begin receiving the outstanding wage award, while processing of promotion arrears would continue according to the approved schedule.
The meeting ended with both the Federal Government and organised labour reaffirming their commitment to sustained dialogue and collaboration aimed at resolving outstanding labour issues and promoting industrial harmony across the Federal Public Service.
