FG Raises Ministers, Perm Secs, Others’ Tour Allowances

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Saturday, September 3rd, 2022

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Federal Government has increased the Duty Tour Allowances of ministers, permanent secretaries and other civil servants in the federal public service with effect from September 1, 2022.

This was disclosed in a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, with reference SWC/C/04/S.6/II/333, dated August 31, 2022 and titled,
“Review of Duty Tour Allowance in the Federal Public Service.”

The circular was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Minister/Minister of State, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Clerk of the National Assembly, among others.

The duty tour allowance increase is coming at a time economists and financial experts are raising concern about Nigeria’s huge debt profile, which, according to the Debt Management Office, stood at N41.6tn as at March, 2022.

The circular read in part, “The President of the Federal 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.

“This approval takes effect from September 1, 2022. Given the above, and further to our Circular No. SWC/S/04/S.6/II/208 dated February 2, 2022 on the above-mentioned subject, the comprehensive list and Duty Tour Allowances are as follows: Grade Level 01 to 04 and its equivalent – N10,000 per diem.”

Others include Grade Level 05 to 06 and equivalent would get N15,000/diem; Grade Level 07 to 10 and equivalent, N17,500/diem; Grade Level 12 to 13 and equivalent, N20,000/diem; Grade Level 14 to 15 and equivalent, N25,000/diem; Grade Level 16 and 17 and its equivalent, N37,000/diem.
Permanent secretary/equivalent would henceforth get N70,000/diem; while minister/SGF/HCSF/equivalent would now get N80,000/diem as DTA.

The authenticity of the circular was confirmed by the spokesperson of the NSIWC, Emma Njoku, as a former President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Dr Sam Nzekwe, wondered why the government was still raising its recurrent expenditure amidst Nigeria’s mounting debt.