As the Christmas holiday approaches, federal workers in Nigeria can breathe a sigh of relief. The Nigerian government has confirmed that salaries for December have been paid, just in time for the holiday season. This announcement comes after several workers expressed concerns about salary delays, especially in the Federal Capital Territory.

Payment Details: Mr. Bawa Mokwa, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General, clarified that the payment for federal workers started on Monday, December 23, 2024. In an interview with DAILY POST on Tuesday, he reassured the public that the payment process had already begun and that all workers should expect their salaries soon.

“The government started paying the salaries since yesterday,” Mr. Mokwa said.

Reason for November’s Salary Delay: The issue of delayed payments has been a point of concern in recent months. Mr. Mokwa explained that the delay in November’s salary payments was due to financial shortfalls, which arose from the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage. Some ministries experienced these shortfalls, leading to the delay in payments.

However, he assured the public that the problem had been resolved, and payments for both December and any outstanding amounts had been completed. “Last month, some people didn’t get their salaries on time because of shortfalls in some ministries. But yesterday, all salaries were paid, and even those who had shortfalls were paid what they were owed,” he said.

Impact of Delayed Payments on Workers: Despite the government’s efforts to resolve the issue, many workers in the Federal Capital Territory have shared their frustrations about the delays. Some even mentioned that the delay had affected their ability to celebrate Christmas with their families.

A civil servant, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed disappointment, stating, “The salary delay is very unfortunate. It has made Christmas difficult for my family and me. We couldn’t travel because of the delay.”

While the Nigerian government has assured federal workers that their December salaries have been paid, the delayed payments in previous months have caused hardship for some employees. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by public servants, particularly during the festive season.

It is hoped that such delays will be minimized in the future to ensure that workers can enjoy their holidays without unnecessary financial stress.