The Federal Government has concluded plans to commence the implementation of enhanced welfare packages for federal civil servants from October 1, as part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving workers’ welfare, productivity, and service delivery.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, made this known on Monday during her appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Momday.
Speaking, the Head of Civil Service stated that the welfare initiatives include increased travel and other allowances, the implementation of an exit benefit scheme, and improved employee compensation for workers who suffer injuries, permanent disabilities, or lose their lives in the line of duty.
According to her, the government delayed the rollout until October to ensure adequate financial backing and seamless implementation.
“The allowances that were increased will commence from October 1st,” she said.
She noted that the new package would have a significant impact on workers, particularly civil servants who frequently embark on official travels and assignments.
“Oh, very, very significant because civil servants do a lot of traveling,” she stated in response to the host’s inquiry.
The Head of Service explained that one of the most critical components of the reforms is the implementation of the exit benefit scheme, which allows civil servants to receive 100 percent of their total annual emolument at the point of exit.
She added that the employee compensation scheme would also provide protection for workers who suffer workplace injuries, disabilities, or occupational diseases while in service.
“It also compensates for death, and so the next of kin, the family of the deceased civil servant will be well taken care of,” she said.
Walson-Jack revealed that while some of these schemes had existed in law for years, previous administrations failed to implement them.
According to her, the employee compensation scheme has been backed by legislation since 2010, while the exit benefit arrangement is contained in the Pension Act of 2004.
“So, it is this administration that has come to implement those things that were already legislated so many years ago,” she said.
She also defended the Federal Government’s recruitment process into the civil service, insisting that appointments and promotions are increasingly being driven by merit, competence, and capability rather than personal connections.
“We are looking at criteria, capabilities, and merit to appoint, promote, and deploy,” she said, adding that the government had introduced a robust rewards and recognition system, as well as an incentives and consequence management policy.
Walson-Jack further confirmed that vacancies in the federal civil service are publicly advertised and accessible online through the appropriate agencies.
She stated that the recruitment exercise conducted by the Federal Civil Service Commission last year is still ongoing, attributing delays in feedback to the large volume of applications being processed.
“Processes take time, especially when you have to deal with a large number of people,” she said, urging applicants to remain patient.
According to her, the ongoing reforms are designed to make the public service more attractive and competitive compared to the private sector.
“We are evolving now. We have these reforms, these programs, and schemes that speak to the welfare of civil servants,” she added.