Civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are complaining about the inability of the Federal Government to pay them their November and December salaries.

They lamented that, it would negatively affect the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

In an interview with Daily Independent, a police officer, who pleaded not to be named, said he was confused and lacked words to convince his wife and children to understand with him as to why the celebrations will be without money.

According to him: “As you see me now, I am confuse. I don’t know how to convince my wife and children so that they will understand with me. I am particularly worried because you know women and children don’t understand when you tell them that you don’t have money.

“Even this morning, my wife asked me to give her money for food items and meat for the Christmas celebrations, I told her that I am hopeful that maybe, today (Tuesday), we will get some money.

“But as you can see it, this is getting to the close of work today now and we have not heard anything. It means we are going to celebrate the Christmas without money.”

A civil servant who gave his name as Clement advised the government to do everything possible to ensure that people do not suffer during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He expressed concern that the lack of payment of salaries of public and civil servants will add to corruption in the country.

“I am worried that some of us have been not been paid for two months. We are going to celebrate this Christmas in agony because our wives and children will not want to hear anything from you if you are not able to meet their needs during the festivities.

“This may affect the chances of the President in the next election if urgent action is not taken to make sure that civil servants are not made to suffer unduly,” he said.

However, Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala gave an assurance that the three months’ salaries of civil servants of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) would be paid before Christmas.

SOURCE: http://naijapolitica.com/2014/12/24/fct-civil-servants-laments-over-the-inability-of-the-fg-to-pay-them-their-november-and-december-salaries/