By Linda Musa
The leadership of the Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria (ASCSN), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to ensure speedy implementation of the proposed salary increment for federal civil servants. The union added that workers since the recent pronouncement of the salary increase by the Minister of Labour and Employment, are appreciative and proud of Mr. President for taken such action.
ASCSN also expressed believe that President Buhari knows the level of excruciating economic hardship workers in Nigeria who are ladened by dependents and responsibilities are going through, saying that time is of essence and therefore must not be waisted in the implementation of the salary increment plan.
Speaking to our Reporter, the Association National President, Comrade (Dr.) Tommy Etim Okon, said the reality on ground shows that workers can no longer meet up with their caregiving responsibilities to their families because of the eroded purchasing power of Naira and N30,000 minimum wage due to high inflation.
He further said that workers being aware that President Buhari’s administration has few months to go, have fixed their hope on the increment and will be greatly disappointed if government fail to back the pronouncement with concrete action and result.
“The recent statement by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, that government is planing to increase workers’ salary because of the reality of the economic situation in the country, is a welcome development. In fact, increment of workers’ salary was one of the requests the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria made to President Muhammadu Buharu during our courtesy visit to him recently.
“We are happy that government is responding positively. It therefore mean that workers will have hope that government is really thinking to cushion the severe hardship that currently affects their socioeconomic wellbeing.
“The reality on ground shows that workers can no longer meet up with their caregiving responsibility to their families because of the rate of inflation, therefore their purchasing power is weaker than ever. For government to think in that direction, mean that it is also listening to the yearning of workers.
“We want to believe that before the Minister of Labour make that statement, he must be aware of the implications if they don’t Implement the propose salary increment. So we are confident that government will definitely do that it has promised.
“We also believe that government is aware of how terrible the economic situation in the country is. Those in government have dependents and relative who are workers, and we sure they know the pressure on them. So we are trusting that government knowing how tough it is to fund its operations, need not be told how hard it is for the citizens. Therefore we expect that President Buhari will quickly implement the plan, which will mean a direct action to helping workers and Nigerians at large in this time of serve hardship.
“Following the pronouncement, every worker is happy and full of expectation. The expectation is very high and it therefore mean that all eyes are on the ball. So we are looking forward to get the circular and the implementation that will follow.
“So we are using this medium to call on the President Buhari-led Federal government to work the talk by commencing the implementation of the proposed salary increase for Nigerian workers without further delay. Government has said it and we want it to be implemented on time.”
