From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), has called on the federal government to expedite the payments of withheld salaries of 5,000 of its members who were delisted from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
In September, about 17,000 Core Civil Servants were reportedly delisted from the Integrated IPPIS for failing to comply with a verification exercise.
In a statement on Tuesday, National President of the ASCSN, Tommy Okon, said the physical verification exercise of the 17,000 workers who were delisted from system was concluded in October, and those involved were in the high spirit waiting for their monthly salary which was stopped since September, to be restored.
He however, noted that as of today, only those who had earlier completed their verification exercise but were mistakenly delisted have had their salaries restored while 5,000 of civil servants still had discrepancies in their date of First Appointment and date of birth.
“A total of 2,772 have been verified and forwarded to IPPIS for payment because there were no issues. The names of 5,000 workers who have discrepancies are to be forwarded to their DHR for confirmation.” He saidZ
Okon said the Union had confirmed that the salary for the month of November was concluded, therefore, those affected will not be able to get their salary for the month.
He however urged members to remain calm, noting that efforts were being made by the Head of Service of the Federation to ensure that those cleared will get their salaries for December, including the arrears from September.
He said six teams were currently working tirelessly to ensure that the exercise is completed on time, while advising Public Servants to develop the habit of checking the HOS Website for regular updates.
“We appeal to the Federal Government through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to expedite action to ensure that the salary of December is not delayed while we urge our members to exercise patient as we are doing everything within the ambit of the laws to ensure that the issues are resolved expeditiously.” The Union leader urged.
Okon further drew attention to recent publications in a section of the social media claiming that civil servants were calling for the cancellation of the promotion exams for Directors aspiring for the position of Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.
He described it as miscarriage of facts by the social media handlers adding that the ASCSN was a registered and recognized trade union listed in the Third Schedule of the Trade Unions Act as well as by the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette and therefore.
“it is therefore, unacceptable and questionable for the purported group to propagate the alleged comments of faceless individuals who claim to be civil servants as though their opinions are those of the entirety of the service.
“What is more disturbing, is the demand of the group to circumvent meritocracy in the civil service with regards to the very critical task of selecting eligible Directors for appointment to the post of Permanent
Secretary. The question is, who in a sane and contemporary clime does that?” He queried.