From Kayemo News
The National leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council has accused the Executive Chairman of the National salaries income and Wages Commission Barrister Ekpo O.U Nta of deliberating short changing Nigerian workers for over two years with non release of extant circular on 40% peculiar allowance Federal Public Servants.
In a letter addressed to the commission by the National leadership of the JNPSNC stated unequivocally that the deliberate action of the Executive Chairman has denied thousands of workers their entitlement as far as 40% peculiar allowance that will reflect the template of N70,000 minimum wage is concerned .
The letter entitled “Matters affecting payments of 40% peculiar allowance to entire Federal Public Servants, non issuance of circular on occupational Hazard allowance to agricultural professionals in the Public Service and other allied issues.,” was dated… referenced JNPSNC/ COR,GEN/ VOL I/ … and jointly signed by the National Chairman, Comrade Benjamin Anto Uyanto mni and the National Secretary Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga
According to the letter, ” “the National leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council JNPSNC Trade Union Side felt constrained to bring to the attention of the management of the National Salaries, income and Wages Commission the unnecessary foot dragging in the issuance of appropriate circular and table that will facilitate the payment of 40% peculiar allowance that will reflect proper template of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Act of parliament and started being implemented since July 2024.
It is informative to remind the Executive Chairman of National Salaries, income and Wages Commission of the circular personally signed by the Executive Chairman, EKPO U O Nta Esq on this subject matter on the 10th March, 2023 referenced SWC/04/S.4651/11/285, to attest to the fact the request being made by National leadership of JNPSNC, on this 40% peculiar allowance, is not a new demand because it was approved and started implementation during the late former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mohammadu Buhari.”
Unfortunately, the presentation made by the National leadership of JNPSNC to the National Salaries income and Wages Commission which would have assisted the management of NSIWC to work on this request and ensure seamless approval as well as the implementation of the aforementioned 40% peculiar allowance has been abandoned.
It will be recalled that a letter for this purpose dated 1st September,2025 referenced JNPSNC/ GEN COR/VOL I/ 143 was submitted to your esteemed Office but nothing was done deliberately on the part of your esteemed office up till now .
This deliberate action has denied thousands of workers their entitlement as far as 40% peculiar allowance that will reflect the template of N70,000 minimum wage is concerned .
*As a matter of fact, the National leadership of the JNPSNC is not oblivion of the accelerated speed you adopted when your esteemed office conveyed the request of the Accountant General on this same subject matter specifically for the staff of the office of the Accountant General, vide a letter dated 15th August,2025 vide SWC/S/04/ S.588/A/49 duly signed by EKPO U O Nta, and the eventual approval given to the request vide SGF.5/S.4/T3/883 dated 18th August,2025 , which the National leadership of JNPSNC loudly applauded. See annextures iii , iv & v for ease of reference*
In the same vein, the approval given concurrently by the separate and joint meetings of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council JNPSNC held in Port Harcourt Rivers State from 28th-30th October ,2024 and 46th meeting of the National Council On Establishment held in Oshogbo , Osun State on 8th November 2024 where approval was given for the payment of Hazard allowance for Agricultural officers in the Public Service both at the national and sub national levels.
Regrettably , the National Salaries, income and Wages Commission is yet to issue an extant circular to this effect despite the fact that the decision of the National Council on Establishments was transmitted to the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of the National salaries income and Wages Commission by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for further necessary action of NSIWC.
Arising from the above, the National leadership of Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council after its meeting held on Monday 9th March,2026 and attended by the National Presidents and General Secretaries of all the affiliate Unions of the Council resolved to demand for immediate action on these very important issues.
Honestly speaking, the patience of thousands of workers affected by these two important issues have been overstretched.
Consequently, we demand a positive response from the National Salaries income and Wages Commission on or before 30th March, 2026, otherwise, the National leadership will not hesitate to take necessary action .
*No retreat no surrender!!!*