President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the upward revision of the Duty Travel Allowances (DTA) for ministers, permanent secretaries and federal officials from level one to 17.
The approval was transmitted in a circular dated August 31 by the president of the National Commission of Wages, Income and Salaries, Ekpo Nta.
According to the circular, the new assignments take effect from September 1.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria approved the upward revision of Duty Travel Allowances applicable to Permanent Secretary/Equivalent of N20,0000 to N70,000, and Minister/SGF/HCSF/Equivalent of N35,000 to N80,000,” the president said.
“All inquiries related to this circular should be directed to the commission.”
Below is the new DTA approved by the president for the aforementioned public servants;
GL 01 – 04 and its equivalent – N10,000 per day
GL. 0S – 06 and its equivalent – N15,000 per day
GL. 07-10 and its equivalent – N17,500 per day
GL. 12 – 13 and its equivalent – N20,000 per day
GL. 14-15 and its equivalent – N25,000 per day
GL. 16 – 17 and its equivalent – N37,500 per day
Permanent Secretary/Equivalent – N70,000 per day
Minister/SGF/HCSF/Equivalent – N80,000 per day
This comes at a time when Nigeria is facing serious economic problems, with government revenues plummeting while its debt has skyrocketed.
The government budget for 2022 has a deficit of more than N7 trillion, and debt service has exceeded revenue this year.
The cost of personnel for civil servants and the overhead costs of thousands of offices are among the areas where the government spends the most, prompting calls to reduce governance costs. Capital projects that reach the majority of the population have received less over the years.