"We've suffered so much," Civil Servants demand better welfare from Buhari govt

dimeji akinloye

April 2, 2015 9:37 PM

Civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday April 2, tasked the incoming government to improve the structure of the service for a better Nigeria.

___3625627___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___3625627___2015___4___2___22___Nigeria-Public-Worker

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) in Abuja, a cross section of the civil servants said they want the government to build a stronger service structure, and to improve the workers’ salaries and welfare.

One of them, Joseph Egwu, said it is imperative that the incoming government fulfill its campaign promises, part of which is the strengthening of the civil service structure and improved welfare for the workers.

"The incoming government needs to pay attention to the processes and procedures in order to strengthen the public service structure.

"We the civil servants are the heart beat of the government and because of that, we should not be left behind.

"We are expecting a lot from the incoming government because the country needs change and the change, which should be huge and positive, should start from the civil service.

"We are tired of managing our salary. Salaries will be paid today and in the next two, three days, our accounts are empty. We have suffered so much,’’ he said.

Another civil servant, David Eniola said the incoming government should address issues of remuneration, unemployment, power supply, taxation and security.

Eniola said if the issues are effectively tackled, the nation will move forward and it will bring about a huge development in the country.

A retired civil servant, Agnes Onyiukwu, urged the incoming government to address the pension arrears of pensioners.

Onyiukwu recalled that in 2013, the present administration established the Pension Transactional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to run the Defined Benefit Scheme.

"PTAD assured us that it is making efforts to pay all outstanding arrears, but we are still waiting.

"We have endured enough, I am begging the incoming government to attend to our plight and pay off this outstanding arrears. We are old and need support so that we can live longer,’’ she said.

dimeji akinloye