Some Soldiers, especially those on the frontline in the ongoing fight against insecurity in the country, have expressed disappointment over their exclusion from the 40 per cent pay rise for federal workers.
They lamented that the last time they got pay rise was during the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, who died in 2010.
The Federal Government had last month commenced payment of the 40 per cent pay rise in salary arrears for federal civil servants.
The PUNCH reports that the military was not included among the beneficiaries of the pay rise.
Some of the soldiers, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said they were disappointed to find out that they would not benefit from the 40 per cent salary raise, noting that the high inflation in the country had rendered their salaries useless.
The soldier said, “I was not happy when salaries were increased across the board and we were left out. Honestly, I did not anticipate that we wouldn’t be part of it. I believe with the nature of the job we do, though you will say it is a service to the nation, we should have been the first set of beneficiaries. Our salary was last reviewed during the Yar’Adua administration. To be sincere, are the prices of commodities the same? Whoever is in charge should please consider us.”
Another soldier, who equally craved anonymity, said, “We didn’t see any increase in our salaries last month. We want the increment, we have families and dependants. Since the time Yar’Adua added transportation and other allowances to us pay, there has been nothing like that.”
When contacted, the Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, said, “ I have to find out.”
Asked if the military, like the resident doctors, would push to be included in the 40 per cent pay rise, Gusau said,”If they (FG) feel there is a need to do that, so be it. We do not have a problem with that.”
Calls to the telephone number of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana, were not answered. He had also yet to respond to a message sent to him on the matter as of press time.
A security expert, Timothy Avele, described the exclusion of the military from the pay rise as dangerous.
He said, “This is a serious omission and a dangerous one at that. Ordinarily, law enforcement and military personnel should be getting a fatter salary, considering the hazard associated with their work. I think there must be a mistake somewhere and it should be worked on soon. It’s extremely dangerous.”
