Over 5,000 teaching and non-teaching staff under the Adamawa State Post Primary Schools Management Board are yet to receive their November 2024 salaries due to an ongoing government screening exercise.
The affected workers constitute more than half of the 9,000 employees on the board’s payroll. Traditionally, salaries are disbursed by the 23rd of each month, but the ongoing verification process has caused significant delays.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Mohammed Abubakar, confirmed that non-academic staff such as cleaners, gardeners, plumbers, and matrons are also among those affected. He attributed the delay in some cases to workers failing to submit their certificates for verification as directed earlier.
According to Abubakar, over 4,500 teachers have complied with the certificate submission requirement, and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri is expected to approve the release of the withheld salaries once the screening is completed.
He called on remaining workers to expedite the submission of their credentials, emphasizing that the union and the government are working to resolve the issues surrounding the exercise.
“We understand the challenges posed by the delay, but we urge all affected staff to remain patient and committed to their duties as efforts are underway to clear these bottlenecks,” the NUT chairman said.
The certificate verification exercise, initiated by Governor Fintiri in October, aims to eliminate unqualified personnel from the civil service. The governor underscored the importance of the process, noting that it would not only ensure quality service delivery but also create opportunities for qualified young professionals.
Governor Fintiri stated, “This exercise is necessary to maintain the integrity of our workforce and provide opportunities for deserving individuals with the right qualifications.”
Affected workers have been urged to complete their submissions within the week to facilitate the prompt resolution of the salary payment delay.
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