Why we can't raise civil servants' salaries - Buhari

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Retired), on Friday gave the reasons why the federal government could not increase the salaries of civil servants despite his opportunity.

A statement by the president's special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, quoted Buhari as giving the reasons when he received the Central Working Committee of the Association of Senior Officials of the Nigeria at State House, Abuja.

The statement was titled "The Oronsaye report will lead to fundamental changes in our public service, assures President Buhari".

Responding to the committee's request for the review of civil servants' salaries, the president said that while such a review was urgently needed due to global inflation, the federal government was working within tight revenue constraints caused by the diversion of resources to urgent national security threats.

He said: "I wish to urge you to appreciate the revenue constraint that the government is currently facing, which is mainly caused by the activities of unscrupulous citizens through the theft of our crude oil , a major contributor to our revenue base.

"This situation is aggravated by the global economic downturn resulting from the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, which has caused prices to rise not only in the costs of goods and services globally, but also the transport of these goods and services around the world.

“You are also aware of the enormous burden that the COVID-19 pandemic is placing on our finances. Also, let me highlight the significant investment we have had to make in security over the past seven years, which means that other sectors of the economy have not been able to receive as much funding as we would have liked. Only when our country is secure can we move forward and address other aspects of our economic challenges. »

The president said he ordered that Orosanye's white paper report be given immediate review to ensure that the federal government implements his overall recommendation.

Buhari, who said the review was nearing completion, said its implementation would bring fundamental changes to the structure of the civil service.

Submitted in 2011, the report has been the subject of controversy as it proposes, among other things, the merging and outright elimination of more than 263 government agencies.

He also proposed that the law establishing the National Wages and Salaries Commission be repealed and that its functions be taken over by the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Accountability Commission to save $2 billion naira to the government.

While noting that the civil service, as the engine room of government, should attract the best and the brightest, the president said: "I have ordered that the report of the white paper d'Orosanye be subject to immediate review to allow the government to take the most appropriate decision on its general recommendation.

"I am aware that the review is nearing completion. Although some may complain about how long it has taken so far, the outcome of the various review teams This review will result in fundamental changes to the structure of our public service and as such it must be subject to rigorous scrutiny and scrutiny before it is introduced and implemented.”

He explained that the Federation Government Secretary would submit the harmonized white paper once it was completed.

The president noted that his regime remains focused on strengthening the service and ensuring it helps the government achieve its goals.

He also appreciated the public servants for their role in achieving federal government goals.

The President also told the ASCSN that his request to restore the payment of the gratuity to civil servants was one of the historic provisions addressed in the pension reform law of 2004 .

He said: "Therefore, the implementation of your request for the payment of a lump sum gratuity to retired civil servants would be contrary to the intention and provisions of the law.

“It must be recognized that a change in the application of the law will require an amendment by the National Assembly. But more importantly, the Pension Reform Act is a better designed and more robust system that secures pensioners' funds and their payment. »

On the harmonization of salaries in the public service, the President indicated that a committee has been set up for this purpose with the Minister of Finance, who is still in office.

Buhari said the Federation Service Chief had been instructed to liaise with other relevant government agencies to see how the 2023 budget forecast could take into account an increase in the federal government budget S...