Inflation: There’s urgent need to review salaries of civil servants, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says there is a need for an urgent salary review in the federal civil service owing to high inflation rate across the world.

NAN quoted the president as saying this when a delegation of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) paid him a visit at the state house, Abuja, on Friday.

The country’s inflation rate surged to 19.64 percent in July 2022, up from 18.60 percent in the previous month, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Buhari said the Russia-Ukraine war has led to an increase in prices of goods and services across the world.

“I wish to urge you to appreciate the revenue constraints being presently faced by the government which is caused mainly by the activities of unscrupulous citizens through the theft of our crude oil, a major contributor to our revenue base,” he said.

“This is compounded by the global economic downturn as a result of the on-going Russian – Ukrainian war, which has led to price increases not just in the costs of goods and services globally, but also in the transportation of these goods and services across the globe.

“You are also aware of the enormous burden placed on our finances by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Furthermore, let me note the significant investment we have had to make in security over the last seven years, which means other sectors of the economy have not been able to receive as much funding as we would have liked.

“Only when our country is secured will we be able to proceed and take on other aspects of our economic challenges.”

The president said implementation of the Orosanye report would lead to “fundamental changes” in the federal civil service.

“I have directed that the Orosanye White Paper Report be subjected to immediate review to enable the government take the most appropriate decision on its general recommendation,” he said.

“I am aware that the review is about to be completed.

“While some may complain about the length of time it has taken thus far, the outcome of the various review teams would lead to some fundamental changes in the structure of our Civil Service and as such it must be subjected to rigorous review and scrutiny before presentation and implementation.”