Amid Scarce Revenue, Buhari Increases Duty Tour Allowance For Ministers, Civil Servants

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the upward review of Duty Tour Allowances (DTAs) for ministers, permanent secretaries, and federal civil servants on levels one to 17.

The approval was conveyed in a circular dated August 31 by the chairman of the 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 inquiries 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 it’s equivalent – N10,000 per diem

GL. 0S — 06 and it’s equivalent – N15,000 per diem

GL. 07-10 and it’s equivalent – N17,500 per diem

GL. 12 – 13 and it’s equivalent – N20,000 per diem

GL. 14-15 and it’s equivalent – N25,000 per diem

GL. 16 — 17 and it’s 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 among 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.

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