Workers Hail FG Over August Salary Payment

Some federal civil servants last Friday commended President
Goodluck Jonathan for the prompt payment of August salaries, to enable them to
celebrate the Eid-el-Fitri.

The workers, in separate interviews with newsmen  in Lagos, described the gesture as a big
relief especially to the Muslims.

Reports says that the president had directed that this
month’s salaries be paid by Friday, to enable the Muslims to celebrate Sallah.

“I have already received the salary alert from my bank, and
I should be on my way to Ijebu-Ode immediately after work today to join my
family in preparing for the Sallah festival.

“ I can’t just thank the government enough for the gesture.
With some money now in my pocket, I can buy some clothes, shoes and some other
things for my children and wife before the festival.

“I really hope for a fantastic celebration. The gesture is
indeed very commendable,” said Mr Semiu Babalola, a journalist with the Voice
of Nigeria (VON), Lagos.

A member of staff of the Nigerian Education Research and
Development Council (NERDC), Lagos, who pleaded anonymity, said he had already
started planning ahead for the festival.

He described the prompt payment of the salary as a welcome
development and a morale booster for the workers.

He cautioned civil servants against reckless spending as it
could jeopardise their finances before the payment of next month’s salaries.

“This is not the first time the government has ordered the
payment of workers’ salaries before a festival, and each time it happens,
workers overspend and put themselves in financial jeopardy later.