Retired Official Advocates Better Pay for Civil Servants

Asha Olanrewaju, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Kwara State Civil Service, addressed the need for better pay and welfare for civil servants during a discussion with newsmen in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. He expressed concern over the significant disparity in remuneration and welfare packages between federal and state civil servants.

Olanrewaju emphasized that adequate pay is essential for workers to meet their basic needs, warning that insufficient remuneration could adversely affect their concentration, morale, and productivity. He proposed the revival of welfare schemes, including housing and car loans, affordable credit facilities, and structured assistance programs to help workers acquire essential assets.

He suggested that housing loan schemes should support eligible workers in building or acquiring homes, with repayments deducted from salaries. Olanrewaju also called for the restoration of overtime benefits and stressed the importance of regular training for civil servants to enhance their professional competence and improve public service delivery.