BudgIT reiterates 12 states owe workers
BudgIT reiterates 12 states owe workers after denial by some
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
“While state governments are refuting claims that they owe salaries, reactions and feedback from the citizens suggest that the months reported as being owed by state governments are grossly understated in our salary and pension survey.
“This survey’s objective remains to nudge states towards their contractual obligations and responsibilities to the civil service and promote the dignity of labour” – BudgIT.
BudgIT has insisted on the accuracy of its survey which shows 12 states are owing workers at least one month’s salary as of 28 July, buttressed by workers who reacted to the report by disclosing the arrears are even understated.
The civic-tech organisation reiterated the point after Edo, Ebonyi, Imo, Nasarawa, and Plateau named among the 12 denied the report.
Iyanu Fatoba, BudgIT Head of Media, Communications and Designs, said the survey was conducted in the interest of Nigerians who have faithfully served and are still serving in the public sector.
She disclosed the research adopted a mixed-method of quantitative and qualitative research techniques.
“Using the stratified sampling technique, we surveyed 1,042 respondents across the three senatorial districts of each state,” Fatoba explained in a statement.
“These comprise the state MDAs; state secondary health institution; state high court; state house of assembly service commission; state secondary school and state tertiary institution; pensioner paid by the state; local government civil servants; local government secretariat; primary school; primary healthcare centre and pensioners paid by local government.
”Likewise, we deployed the Kobo toolbox to ensure an additional layer of scrutiny in collating, interpreting and contextualising the data.”
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Survey in Edo
Reacting to denial by Edo government, Fatoba said BudgIT conducted qualitative interviews with individuals from Etsako Central, Etsako West, and Owan East Councils, according to reporting by The Guardian.
“Respondents from Etsako Central ascertained that the state owed eight months’ and a half salary and four years’ leave allowance.
“In Etsako West and Owan East, respondents also affirmed that the government owed them seven months and six and a half months’ salary, respectively.”
Survey in Plateau
Fatoba disclosed that in Plateau, BudgIT interviewed individuals from Barkin Ladi, Basa and Jos North Councils, including civil servants, midwives in a state-owned hospital and community health workers.
She said respondents affirmed the state government owe them at least three months’ salary as of 19 July when the research data was collated.
Survey in Cross River
“We have also received correspondence from Cross River State stating that the state government cleared salary backlogs between August 10 and 11, 2022.
“We posit that we cannot verify this claim as we published our findings based on a survey concluded on July 31, 2022,” Fatoba said.
Workers say payment arrears understated
BudgIT is reviewing perspectives of state governments that have presented other claims, and will present to the public a robust response upon extensive enquiry, she added.
“While state governments are refuting claims that they owe salaries, reactions and feedback from the citizens suggest that the months reported as being owed by state governments are grossly understated in our salary and pension survey.
“This survey’s objective remains to nudge states towards their contractual obligations and responsibilities to the civil service and promote the dignity of labour.
“BudgIT will continue spotlighting issues bordering on state governments’ obligations to their workers. To this end, we would consider another round of surveys in six months to appraise the progress on issues raised.”