We’ll pay only legitimate claims, says Adeosun in staff peace deal

Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance, says her ministry will resolve and pay only legitimate claims made by workers, adding that the federal government cannot pay the requested N1.2 billion overtime allowance.

Adeosun disclosed this in a dispute resolution meeting with staff unions at the ministry of finance in Abuja.

According to the ministry, Adeosun, in her role as minister and based on the government’s mandate of inclusive management, she told the staff to present their grievances in a structured and articulated manner in order to address all outstanding issues.

In the meeting, which was described as “constructive” by officials of the ministry, both management and unions examined each of the concerns raised by the agitating staff over the past two days.

The minister highlighted that she does not have any power to pay N1.2 billion, which was not in the budget of the ministry.

While she expressed understanding with the staff, who felt they should get additional bonuses, based on their past dealings with the previous administration, she pointed out that many people across the country were struggling to find work or losing their jobs.

Adeosun said fellow civil servants in many states are not getting their salaries, adding that this is not the case at the federal level.

ALL HANDS MUST BE ON DECK TO REVIVE THE ECONOMY

Adeosun pointed out that it is the collective priority of every member of the ministry to being the whole economy back on its feet, pointing out that the federal government is now having to borrow to pay the N165 billion a month needed to cover civil service salaries.

The minister made it clear she did want to find a solution to the issues raised by workers, she urged union leaders to bring forward ideas on how the Ministry could generate additional funds and create a structure to pay bonuses,

She asked the director of administration to review all the claims and present solutions for all legitimate claims relating to working materials and ensure that such claims are resolved immediately through the ministry’s processes.

NO MORE PROTEST OR LOCK OUT

Adeosun said that the most important thing for management and staff was to get a common understanding of what the government needed to do to regain financial stability.

She said she wanted to work with staff to see how, together, those plans could be implemented as quickly as possible, thereby stimulating growth within a new diversified economy.

The Minister asked workers to consider that further lock-out of the ministry has the consequences of delaying FAAC meetings, and in turn delaying salaries, which would impact on all Nigerians.

Mahmoud Dutse, the permanent secretary at the ministry, expressed his appreciation for the cordial manner in which the meeting took place.

The management and staff unions agreed to meet to consider the issues raised and map out ways to seek resolutions to issues, where possible, the next meeting was scheduled for later in the week.