President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the upward review of Duty Tour Allowances (DTAs) for ministers, permanent secretaries and federal civil servants on Grade Levels (GL) one to 17.
The approval was conveyed in a circular dated August 31 by Chairman of National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta.
According to the circular, the new allowances take effect from September 1.
“The president of the federal republic of Nigeria has approved the upward review of duty tour allowances applicable to Permanent Secretary/Equivalent from N20,000 to N70,000, and to minister/SGF/HCSF/Equivalent from N35,000 to N80,000,” the chairman said.
“All enquiries relating to this circular should be directed to the commission.”
Below is the new DTA the president approved for the aforementioned public servants;
GL 01 — 04 and its equivalent – N10,000 per diem
GL 05 — 06 and its equivalent – N15,000 per diem
GL 07-10 and its equivalent – N17,500 per diem
GL 12 – 13 and its equivalent – N20,000 per diem
GL 14-15 and its equivalent – N25,000 per diem
GL 16 — 17 and its equivalent – N37,500 per diem
Permanent Secretary/Equivalent – N70,000 per diem
Minister/SGF/HCSF/Equivalent – N80,000 per diem
This comes at a time when Nigeria faces severe economic problems, which has seen government revenue plummet while its debt has ballooned.
The government’s 2022 budget has a deficit of over N7 trillion, and debt servicing has surpassed revenue this year.
Personnel costs for civil servants and the overhead costs of thousands of offices are amongst the areas where the government spends the most on, drawing calls for reduced cost of governance. Capital projects that reach the majority of the population have received less over the years.
