TheCable

The federal government says it has commenced the review of salary scales for civil servants of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in the country. 

Folasade Yemi-Esan, head of the civil service of the federation, said this during the 2021 public service lecture week on Tuesday.

In May, Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget, and national planning, had hinted the federal government was ready to review its payroll to reduce the cost of governance.

Ahmed had explained that the federal government is not thinking of cutting wages but seeking pay parity.

Speaking at the event, Yemi-Esan said President Muhammadu Buhari has set up committee to harmonise salaries of civil servants.

She said there is also a sub-committee looking into the various salary scales to which she belongs.

“We have had two meetings since then, and we have been given just a month to submit the report to the larger committee,” she said.

“So once the work is done, though it is a great task, I can tell you that the committee will do the needful. The work is still ongoing, and you will get the report as we conclude.”

Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, guest lecturer and former Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), stressed the need for government to invest in people.

She said workers are not motivated to do their best because of the poor salary, adding that what motivates is giving the workers space, challenges and a boss that looks on them and recognizes their potentials.